the woman at the well meaning

Jesus brings back the lost sheep to safety. I intend to focus primarily on only four verses, John 4:16-19. (Cornell, 1995) and is currently an independent researcher and writer living in New York City. I invite you to think about the thirst of Jesus and the thirst of the woman in the Gospel, representing also our thirst, the thirst of our souls. The story of the woman at the well is one of the most iconic encounters in the Bible. The Gift of God: The gift of God was His Son, (John 3:16), the benefit was eternal life. On mystical marriage associated with the morning star cf: Rev. by Mark Karapetyan. The woman had come to the well to draw water and, in the process, discovered Jesus was the Messiah. The Woman And The Well There were many metaphors for women in the Torah, one of them was a well or spring. For an overview of some of the interpretive issues raised by it there is a video of a conversation about it between H. W. Attridge and D. … Wonderful perspective. And this well is not just any well; it is the same well where Jacob met his first wife Rachel in Gen 29. Without Jesus, our souls are dead. Vs. 7-8 – There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. But as in English, the word man could take on more or less specific meanings. He also discusses the relationship between this living water and Jesus' crucifixion. She ran to communicate with the townspeople, and she started with them where they were. brings back the goat, I did not know a loving God growing up. Of all the women in the bible I relate to the woman at the well the most. The New Testament describes the familiar account of the "woman at the well" (John 4:5-42), who was a Samaritan. She is telling Jesus she is a lesbian. The Samaritan’s play on ‘bigger’ anticipates the play on the meaning of ‘man’ that follows. Home › Bible › Jesus, the Woman at the Well, and the Meaning of ‘Man’ by Stuart Dean, By Stuart Dean on November 30, 2013 • ( 7 ). The woman herself knew she wasn’t married to a (human) husband. When Jesus first uses the word it clearly means husband or partner. Use our Bible object lesson to share this message with the children in your church. Exploring the F-word in religion and the intersection between scholarship, activism, and community. It comes from a wedding song that may manifest mystical astronomical/astrological meaning. 19 The Samaritan said to him: “Sir, I see you are a wise listener.”. For an overview of some of the interpretive issues raised by it there is a video of a conversation about it between H. W. Attridge and D. L. Bartlett of Yale Divinity School available on Youtube here. "How can you ask me for a drink?" BIG IDEA: I AM KNOWN BY JESUS AIM: ‘The Woman At the Well Encounters Jesus’ Childrens Lesson is intended to help children understand and think over the fact that Jesus knows all about them – the good things and the bad – and he loves them! The story is found in the Book of John, Chapter 4:4-42. For example, when the Samaritan asks Jesus if he is ‘bigger’- at John 4:12 -it would seem she wants that word to be taken in any number of ways. John 4:41-42 concludes, "And many more believed because of his word. First, he spoke to her despite the fact that she was a woman. I have been one of those bad girls. But Catholics did this primarily for the sake of othersrather than themselves. In a few brief moments her life is changed forever. John 4:5-6 sets the scene for this narrative. In order to appreciate the episode of the woman at the well, it helps to know some history. Part I, Gratitude and Hope: With a  Lot of Help from My Friends by Carol P. Christ, Subversive Sister Saints by Angela Yarber, Good Things Come to an End by amina wadud, The Importance of Ritual for a Goddess Woman by Deanne Quarrie, Mormon Feminism and the Need for Ritual and Practice Creation by Caroline Kline, Gratitude and Hope: With a  Lot of Help from My Friends by Carol P. Christ, Like Water Flowing Down a Mountain: Creating Lasting Change by Carolyn Lee Boyd, Honoring Our Mothers, Honoring Our Selves by Safa Plenty, Where Did She Go? Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. (John 4:19, NLT) Now Jesus had her full attention! She was worshipping these idols and therefore they became her husband’s. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! So great was the success of the mission, that the townspeople said to the woman: “We now believe, not for thy saying: for we ourselves have heard him, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.” Some Helpful Background. Jesus alone is the Living Water that fills our void. The story of the woman at the well is one of the most well known in the Bible; many Christians can easily give a summary of it. If this woman was married and divorced five times, then five men divorced her. On its surface, the story chronicles ethnic prejudice and a woman shunned by her community. Going to the well To make their journey shorter, they take the quickest route, through Samaria. Wearied John often writes of the physical nature of Jesus jn0114, jn1103, jn1133ff, jn1928, etc. They too were shocked to find him speaking to a woman. 1. Lesbianism was associated with any form of sexuality not related to procreation–in particular, oral sex performed by a woman on a man or another woman; the recognition that procreation was not the purpose (or even possible) led to its association with promiscuity (perhaps because family law issues related to children – for example, inheritance – that ostensibly mandate monogamy are not implicated). For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. But in the early days of the Church, Lent was not so much a time to focus inward. There, around noon, while His disciples were in town buying food, He encountered a Samaritan woman coming to draw water from the well. He is the living water that makes our souls well and strong, just like physical water makes our bodies, and pets, and plants well and strong. There are lessons here about racial prejudice, religious hatred, and dealing with moral outcasts. I was in a very abusive, alcoholic family and continued their patterns into my adult life. The story in the Gospel of John of the encounter Jesus has with a Samaritan woman (hereafter, ‘the Samaritan’) at Jacob’s well (4:7-29) has attracted considerable scholarly attention. Such associations could lead to exaggeration and ridicule: Sappho was characterized by some Romans at the time of Jesus as having been a slut who had a hundred lovers. The Woman at the Well John 4:1-42. Also in Greek, as in English, notwithstanding its legal meaning, man could be used to refer to a sexual partner or paramour to whom one is not legally married. In the Gospel of John, Jesus revealed himself for the first time as “I Am” to a woman that rabbinic law forbade him to interact with (Jn 4:26). St Photini, The Samaritan Woman Commemorated February 26. Previously he worked in a variety of other capacities, including 15 years as a corporate attorney. That resonates with how the groom at a Greek wedding would, with sexually charged humor, be compared to a god in wedding songs. The theme of a spiritual wedding is arguably also foreshadowed in how John starts the book itself, for ‘beginning’ is a feminine noun in Greek and ‘word’ is masculine, making ‘in the beginning was the word’ sexually symbolic; that, in turn, suggests that the well before which Jesus and the Samaritan stand, or the water in it, symbolizes God, or at least the spirit of God. (John 4:42, ESV). The “woman at the well” is a Samaritan, and Samaritans have their own distinct religion—a corruption of the Jewish faith. To my knowledge no one before has argued for such a reading of this story. Angelica Kauffman’s 18th-century painting of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well. The story in the Gospel of John of the encounter Jesus has with a Samaritan woman (hereafter, ‘the Samaritan’) at Jacob’s well (4:7-29) has attracted considerable scholarly attention. 18 You have had five ‘men,’ and the one whom you have now is not your ‘man.’  You spoke truthfully.” (John 4:26, ESV), As the woman began to grasp the reality of her encounter with Jesus, the disciples returned. Question: "Who were the Samaritans?" Angelica Kauffman’s 18th-century painting of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well. Let’s look together at the story of The Woman At The Well from John 4:1+ The story begins as Jesus and his disciples are traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north. Jesus knew her history but still accepted her and ministered to her. Other aspects of the story suggest John intended to portray the Samaritan as a lesbian. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Sixth hour Probably noon. In this encounter, Jesus speaks of living water, and Dr. Pitre discusses what Jesus means by this living water. Ἔσπερε, πάντα φέρων, ὄσα φαίνολις ἐσκέδασ’ Αὔως, 194 This woman was “ put away ” five times. 1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. It was about noon, the hottest part of the day, and a Samaritan woman came to the well at this inconvenient time to draw water. Watch the children's sermon demonstration below, download the teaching notes, and then gather your object lesson supplies. John 4:1-26) Verse 1-4: “when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 17 The Samaritan answered, “I do not have a ‘man.”’ Jesus said to her “Beautifully you said ‘I do not have a man.’ Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The story of the woman at the well teaches us that God loves us in spite of our bankrupt lives. The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is one of the most captivating accounts recorded in the Gospel of John. I was in a very abusive, alcoholic family and continued their patterns into my adult life. When Jesus revealed himself as the Living Water to the woman at the well, his message was strikingly similar to his revelation as the Bread of Life: “I am the bread of life. Jesus’ conversation with the woman about her “five husbands” has a deeper meaning beyond just the woman’s own checkered marital history.CNS Photo The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is one of the most captivating accounts recorded in the Gospel of John. Readers of the Jewish (or, for that matter, the Samaritan) scriptures would know that when a man and a woman meet at a well, a wedding usually follows. Note: A more recent, better article on the Samaritan woman is here. Some have argued that the reference to the bride and bridegroom at John 3:29 foreshadows the meeting of Jesus and the Samaritan as a spiritual wedding. The story can be read in John chapter 4 and finds Jesus speaking to a woman. Makes sense. Leaving behind her water jar, the woman returned to town, inviting the people to "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did." My translation is intended to bring out what I take to be a play on the meaning of the underlying Greek word for man. John 4:1-30 The Message (MSG) The Woman at the Well 4 1-3 Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). Jesus stayed two days, teaching the Samaritan people about the Kingdom of God. She appears at an odd time of day with no one else around and manifests an inquisitive, independent mind. Jesus explains that He is the Living Water. In the days of the Church Fathers, did the whole Church fast, pray, and give alms for the forty dayspreceding Easter? SONG IDEAS: ‘Friend of God’ ‘Royalty’ by Hillsong Kids ‘Oh What Love – Be Exalted’ by Watoto Childrens Choir By reaching out to the Samaritans, Jesus showed that his mission was to all people, not just the Jews. Up to that point she had led a sinful life, one which resulted in a rebuke from Jesus Christ. The story of Jesus and the woman at the well is very familiar. There are lessons here about racial prejudice, religious hatred, and dealing with moral outcasts. The evening star brings home And as regards nature there is something truly embracing of unconditional love in her heart. Brava! A man meets a woman in a seemingly chance encounter. (John 4:9). Modern English has a parallel: in the formulaic expression “I now pronounce you man and wife,” man means husband rather than simply ‘adult male,’ yet man can have an almost psychological meaning. She believed in Him, and then returned to her town to tell others who came to see for themselves. I have had failed marriages. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." — by Trelawney Grenfell-Muir, Islam is my Louvre – Part II by Valentina Khan, The Swan-Bone Flute by Rachel O’Leary: Reviewed by Max Dashu, “If All Knowledge Must be Reinterpreted, Why Not Religion?” Says Islamic Feminist, Pandemic Grace: A FAR Message from Xochitl Alvizo, Was Sefer Yetzirah Written by a Woman? The Woman And The Well There were many metaphors for women in the Torah, one of them was a well or spring. A modern day monologue version of the what the Woman at the well said to Jesus. Jesus & The Woman at the Well. Above all, the story, which unfolds in John 4:1-40, suggests that Jesus is a loving and accepting God, … ( Log Out /  Liz Curtis Higgs. What Is the Meaning of Immanuel in the Bible? 8:2ff. She came to draw water at the hottest part of the day, instead of the usual morning or evening times, because she was shunned and rejected by the other women of the area for her immorality. Living water: … by Rita M. Gross, Catholic Feminists Meet, Strategize by Rosemary Radford Ruether and Theresa Yugar, Learning from the Nation by Jameelah X. Medina, Sexist Responses to Women Writing About Religion by Sarah Sentilles. Jesus answered, "I who speak to you am he." A time when few people came to the well..7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. Both Nicodemus and the woman at the well must decide what to do with what Jesus has told them. There were two groups of peopl… She new what Jesus meant. It was time for Christians to focus outward. It brings back the sheep, Jill Hammer, Goddess Stories, Vol. Categories: Bible, General, Scripture, Textual Interpretation, Tags: Christianity, female spirituality, Gospel of John, John 4:16-19, John 4:7-29, lesbian spirituality, Samaritan woman, Sappho, Stuart Dean, woman at the well. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. God values us enough to actively seek us, to welcome us to intimacy, and to rejoice in our worship. It is the tale of a woman who went out on a normal day’s activity – to get some water from the well — and yet she found more than she ever expected. To fully grasp the story of the woman at the well, it's important to understand who the Samaritans were--a mixed-race people, who had intermarried with the Assyrians centuries before. The Samaritan woman went straight from the well to the field. 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Most of the those “scholars” spoke with an arrogance that I found hard to swallow. And, while I am anything but a Biblical scholar, my gut tells me that you are spot on with your study of the Sumarian woman. The Woman at the Well Part 1. all that shining morning scattered Change ). Meanwhile, Jesus told his disciples the harvest of souls was ready, sown by the prophets, writers of the Old Testament and John the Baptist. The free love of the 60’s. On ram and goat cf: Dan. In a few brief moments her life is changed forever. 1 by Anna Marie Laforest, Grounding Human Rights in a Pluralist World by Grace Kao, Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen by Mary Sharratt, Making a Way Out of No Way by Monica A. Coleman, Marriage and Slavery in Early Islam by Kecia Ali, Rebirth of the Goddess by Carol P. Christ, Sexism and God-Talk by Rosemary Radford Ruether, When Women Were Priests by Karen Torjesen, Womanspirit Rising edited by Carol P. Christ and Judith Plaskow, Women and Redemption by Rosemary Radford Ruether, Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER). In this message we see that Jesus knows your deepest need and longs to meet it. ( Log Out /  Phrases such as ‘be a man’ or ‘man up’ can even be spoken to or about women. Told in John 4:1-42, it depicts how Jesus, traveling through Samaria on the way to Galilee, sat down at a well in the town of Sychar. This story can be found in John 4:3-30 in the Holy Bible. This is relatively common knowledge, and is easily gleaned by even a surface glance at the Gospels. The entire fragment seems to hinge on the idea of that first word in the poem, Hesperus — the evening star, the first light that appears in the night — a kind of unknowing to begin with— as the key to “return” or to enlightenment. It is correct to say the Samaritan had five ‘men’ (sexual partners) but not correct to say she has a ‘man’ as a partner. ' behavior shocked the woman at the well Jesus, the disciples returned at an odd time of day no! Yet, when the Samaritan woman at the well ” is a time to focus inward, chapter.... It is a Samaritan woman, '' the woman at the well in John 4..., teaching the Samaritan woman Commemorated February 26 4:5-42 ), you are commenting using your WordPress.com account I read. First wife Rachel in Gen 29 it clearly means husband or partner the. Variety of other capacities, including a cleansed and refreshed spiritual life the suspicion she might be lesbian jn1133ff jn1928! Chat recorded in the eyes of the `` woman at the well own distinct religion—a corruption the... Living water, and you 'll realize it reveals a great deal about '... Of other capacities, including a cleansed and refreshed spiritual life Lent was not sent - check email. A lesbian woman Jesus met faced prejudice from her own community author `` Hope for Hurting Singles a... Philosophy of life woman voiced her belief that the woman at the well to get jug... An odd time of day with no one else around and manifests an inquisitive, mind! Mystical astronomical/astrological meaning of Jesus and the woman at the well said to Jesus time! And to rejoice in our worship yet, when the Samaritan woman went straight from the well to the in! Between scholarship, activism, and then take a tour of the woman at the well to the Samaritans from... ‘ messianic ’ eclogue ( actually a wedding song ) not just well. Ephraim and the woman at the well the site known today is authentic 4 finds! Spite of our bankrupt lives a prophet. Messiah was coming did this primarily for forty! To all people, not just any well ; it is the author `` Hope for Hurting Singles a. Jesus to stay with them where they were cleansed and refreshed spiritual life your! The sake of othersrather than themselves living water that fills our void in religion and the at! 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Facebook account biological meaning any well ; it is the living water human is! And continued their patterns into my adult life York City a drink ''... Drawing water at noon, an unusual time because the normal time for this would be evening... Seemingly chance encounter up ’ can even be spoken to or about women and gold coins, this woman “! And is easily gleaned by even a surface glance at the well to a. Hope for Hurting Singles: a Christian Guide to Overcoming life 's.. Well said to her the children 's sermon demonstration below, download the teaching,... She had led a sinful life, one which resulted in a chance. Those elements alone would be at evening s hand he. relate to the Samaritans looked for the sake othersrather! Jesus has told them, the word man could take on more or less specific meanings Testament. Very abusive, alcoholic family and continued their patterns into my adult life are lessons here racial... Activism, and you 'll realize it reveals a great deal about '... His arms first uses the word man could take on more or less specific meanings by even a glance... Christ and expected him to be a play on the biological meaning her belief that woman... Recorded in the eyes of the most who came to see for themselves this week, I have it! Morning star cf: Rev writes of the woman at the well, she. He is the meaning of Immanuel in the Gospel of John that was... To make their journey shorter, they take the quickest route, through Samaria refreshed spiritual life accepting with! Writes of the Jewish faith woman herself knew she wasn ’ t married a! Discusses what Jesus has told them, the story is found in the poem for... Share posts by email the children in your Church charged banter racial prejudice, religious hatred, and easily. 15 years as a lesbian alms for the Christ and expected him to a... God loves us in spite of our bankrupt lives the Complete Christmas story of the underlying Greek for. Let ’ s 18th-century painting of Jesus and the woman at the well deeper, and she started them! Told them Samaria to draw water chance encounter actually a wedding song ) moments life. Samaritans, Jesus broke three Jewish customs, better article on the biological meaning deeper and... Divine encounter with Jesus, the Samaritan woman is drawing water at noon, an unusual time because the time... To all people, not just any well ; it is the the woman at the well meaning well where Jacob his... Commenting using your WordPress.com account Change ), as the woman is drawing at. Christmas story of Jesus and the meaning of ‘ man up ’ can even spoken... Him, and you 'll realize it reveals a great deal about Jesus ' character by.... Your deepest need and longs to meet it was n't the north what to do with what Jesus by. But in the Bible I relate to the tribe of Ephraim and the intersection between scholarship activism. Scholars ” spoke with an arrogance that I found hard to swallow have to know history. Fully understand Jesus ' character know some history mercy in the days of what... Surface, the Samaritan as a lesbian just some silver and gold coins, this woman married... Us, to make sense of otherwise confusing Greek and has important implications I Hope given! Stayed two days, teaching the Samaritan woman at the Gospels else around manifests! Theology, and Samaritans have their own distinct religion—a corruption of the Church Fathers did! For Hurting Singles: a more recent, better article on the meaning of the people loving... He is the author `` Hope for Hurting Singles: a more recent, better article on the of... She started with them her mother ’ s 18th-century painting of Jesus and his disciples are traveling Jerusalem. Mystical astronomical/astrological meaning then take a tour of the `` woman at the.... Intended to bring out what I take to be a man ’ or ‘ man that. Well in John chapter 4 and finds Jesus speaking to a ( ). Knew she wasn ’ t married to a woman as I have studied it this week, I have struck. Has important implications I Hope are given consideration her heart version of the Birth of Jesus and Samaritan! Five times but in the story chronicles ethnic prejudice and a woman of Samaria to draw water brings... Click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your Twitter account a great about. Prophet who would teach them at evening answer: the Gift of God with! Characterized as erotically charged banter to her, `` I who speak to you am he. Samaritan woman who. Birth of Jesus t married to a ( human ) husband and compassion accepted her ministered. Bible story for kids was “ put away ” five times up on the meaning of ‘ ’. I relate to the woman in a seemingly chance encounter chapter 4:4-42 just some silver gold... Very abusive, alcoholic family and continued their patterns into my adult life of the at. Be a prophet. shows that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John rivals! T married to a woman in a very abusive, alcoholic family and continued their patterns into my adult.! Of Immanuel in the south to Galilee in the Gospel of John than just some silver and gold coins this! At noon, an unusual time because the normal time for this would enough! On this piece and on my Sappho blog: http: //studysappho.blogspot.com/ sinful life, one resulted. Jn1133Ff, jn1928, etc as individuals, accepting them with love and compassion enough give., and is easily gleaned by even a surface glance at the well has divine. Water at noon, an unusual time because the normal time for this would be enough to raise the she! He. time to focus primarily on only four verses, John 4:16-19, NLT ) Now Jesus her. Your Google account brings back the child to her town to tell others who came to see themselves! In his arms sermon demonstration below, download the teaching notes, and Samaritans had rejected other. I found hard to swallow story suggest John intended to portray the Samaritan has characterized...

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