John 4

The Lord

When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, John 4:1

John calls Jesus 'the Lord' in his narration. The title that stood for Jehovah in the Old Testament is given to Jesus.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

The Condescension — a Weary, Thirsty Savior

Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. John 4:6–7

The Creator who gives living water is Himself tired and thirsty. He took on real mortal weakness so He could understand and help us.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Alma 7:11-12 — He shall take upon him their infirmities, that he may know how to succor his people.

Living Water

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. John 4:10–15

Jesus offers water that forever satisfies the soul's thirst — Himself and the eternal life He gives. In Jeremiah, the LORD calls Himself the fountain of living waters, so Jesus is claiming what Jehovah claimed. The woman's question 'Art thou greater than our father Jacob?' has a deeper answer than she knows.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Jeremiah 2:13 — The LORD: 'me the fountain of living waters.'
• the same title in 1 Nephi 11:25 — The fountain of living waters, or the tree of life, a representation of the love of God.
• the same title in John 7:37-38 — 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.'
• typified by Exodus 17:6 — Water from the smitten rock in the wilderness.

The Messianic Hour — Salvation of the Jews

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. John 4:21–23

Jesus announces that a new day of worship has arrived with Him. 'Salvation is of the Jews' because the Savior Himself comes through Judah; the hour 'now is' because He is present.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Genesis 49:10 — The sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come.

Messiah — I That Speak unto Thee Am He

Messias (Hebrew) = Christ (Greek) — the Anointed One

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. John 4:25–26

Jesus' first plain declaration in John that He is the Messiah is made to a Samaritan woman, an outsider. In Greek His answer is literally 'I am, the one speaking to you,' echoing the divine name I AM.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 1:41 — Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
• alludes to Exodus 3:14 — I AM THAT I AM (echo carried by the Greek 'ego eimi').

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, John 4:28–30

The woman leaves her waterpot and becomes a witness, inviting her whole city to come and see if Jesus is the Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 1:46 — Philip's invitation: 'Come and see.'

To Finish His Work

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. John 4:32–34

What sustains Jesus is doing His Father's will and finishing the work He was sent to do — work He completes on the cross.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by John 17:4 — 'I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.'
• fulfilled by John 19:30 — 'It is finished.'
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:11 — I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

Lord of the Harvest

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35–38

Jesus sends His disciples to reap souls, as the Samaritans are already coming out to Him. He still sends laborers into the same field today.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by D&C 4:4 — The field is white already to harvest.

The Christ, the Saviour of the World

Saviour — one who rescues and delivers

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. John 4:39–42

The Samaritans move from believing because of the woman's word to knowing for themselves by hearing Jesus. They confess Him as Savior not of one nation but of the whole world.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 1 John 4:14 — The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 10:4 — A Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.

Healing by His Word

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. John 4:46–54

Jesus heals a dying boy miles away with only a word, and the father believes before seeing proof. The second sign at Cana shows His power over life and death and invites faith in His word.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 2:11 — The first sign at Cana.