John 4:16-30


Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.” (John 4:16-30 ESV)


True Worship in Spirit and Truth

In this passage, Jesus confronts the Samaritan woman about her life, but He quickly transitions to a profound revelation about worship. He moves from the issue of her personal relationships to the larger question of how and where God is to be worshiped. The woman, in an attempt to divert the conversation from her past, brings up the historical division between Jews and Samaritans concerning the proper place of worship. But Jesus redirects her focus, teaching that true worship is not about external locations or rituals, but about the heart: "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (v. 23).

Worshiping in spirit means worship that is led by the Holy Spirit, rooted in a living relationship with God rather than dead traditions. To worship in truth means our worship must be grounded in the truth of who God is, revealed ultimately in Jesus Christ. This highlights the necessity of knowing God as He truly is through His Word and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer sincere worship. True worship is not bound to a temple or a mountain; it transcends physical locations and involves a heart fully submitted to God.

Scriptures to Study:

John 14:16-17, 1 John 4:13, Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 10:19-22


Jesus, the Messiah Revealed

When the Samaritan woman acknowledges that the Messiah will come and reveal all things, Jesus makes a striking declaration: "I who speak to you am he" (v. 26). This is one of the rare moments where Jesus directly reveals His identity as the Messiah. For the Samaritan woman, this revelation transforms the entire conversation. She had been speaking with the very One who not only knew her past but could offer her the living water of eternal life.

This moment of revelation is significant for discipleship. Jesus knows every detail of our lives, yet He offers us grace and truth. His invitation to the Samaritan woman extends to all who are weary, broken, or seeking answers. Jesus is the Messiah who satisfies our deepest spiritual thirst and reveals the truth of who God is. In Him, we find forgiveness, healing, and the power to live transformed lives through the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures to Study:

John 7:37-39, Isaiah 55:1-3, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 11:28-30


A Transformed Witness

After encountering Jesus, the Samaritan woman’s response is immediate. She leaves her water jar—a symbol of her old life—and rushes to share the news of Jesus with her community. "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" (v. 29). Her testimony is simple yet powerful, and it draws the people from her town to meet Jesus for themselves.

This illustrates a key principle of discipleship: encountering Jesus should lead us to witness to others. When we experience the transforming power of Christ in our lives, it naturally overflows into our desire to share Him with others. The Samaritan woman didn’t need theological training or a perfect life to be an effective witness—she simply shared what she had experienced. The Holy Spirit can use even our imperfect testimonies to point others to Christ and lead them to salvation.

Scriptures to Study:

Matthew 5:14-16, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, 1 Peter 3:15


Summary of Key Points


Life Application Questions