Jesus
said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
John 4:16
John 4 [13.] Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
John 4 [15.] The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty, neither come all the way here to draw.”
John 4 [16.] Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
John 4 [17.] The woman answered, “I have no husband.”
Jesus said to her, “You said well, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly.”
Meaning:
In the Gospel of John, this short and seemingly straightforward statement by Jesus carries profound meaning and significance.
- Setting the Scene:
This verse is part of the narrative where Jesus engages in a conversation with a Samaritan woman at the well. The encounter takes place in Sychar, and it breaks societal norms as Jews typically avoided interactions with Samaritans.
- Jesus' Approach:
The request for the woman to go and call her husband is not a mere inquiry about her marital status. It serves as a starting point for Jesus to address deeper spiritual realities.
- Spiritual Insight:
Jesus, being fully aware of the woman's past and present, uses this moment to offer her an opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual revelation. By prompting her to bring her husband, Jesus opens the door to a conversation about the true source of fulfillment and living water.
- Awareness and Compassion:
Jesus, in His omniscience, knows that the woman has had five husbands, and the one she is currently with is not her husband. Despite this, His approach is not judgmental but compassionate. It reflects his desire to lead her to a deeper understanding of spiritual truths.
- Significance:
Addressing the Heart Issue: Jesus' request to call her husband is a gentle way of addressing the heart issue—her need for genuine spiritual fulfillment. It transcends the surface level and dives into the core of her identity and longing for something more.
Living Water Context: The conversation that follows this verse unveils the concept of "living water" that Jesus offers. By addressing the issue of her husbands, Jesus prepares the ground for revealing Himself as the true source of satisfaction and eternal life.
Personalized Encounter: This interaction exemplifies the individualized approach of Jesus. He meets people where they are, acknowledging their unique circumstances and leading them toward spiritual transformation.
Cross-References:
John 7:37-38: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Jesus' offer of living water, introduced in the conversation with the Samaritan woman, finds a parallel in this later teaching.
Jeremiah 2:13: “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” This Old Testament verse highlights the contrast between God as the fountain of living water and the broken cisterns people turn to.
In Our Daily Lives:
Invitation to Reflection: Like the Samaritan woman, we are invited to reflect on our own lives and recognize the areas where we seek fulfillment apart from God.
Encounter with the Living Christ: Just as Jesus engaged the Samaritan woman personally, He desires a personal encounter with each of us, addressing our unique needs and leading us to the source of true satisfaction.
Transformation and Redemption: This verse exemplifies Jesus' ability to take broken situations and guide individuals towards redemption. It encourages us to trust in His transformative power.
John 4:16 initiates a conversation that goes beyond the surface, addressing the core of human longing and offering the eternal solution found in Christ.
evangelize - marriage - truth
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible