She had been going from one idol to another because she was looking for fulfillment. She had no other explanation for a strange man to know the details of her life. as we see in scripture the apostles teaching is the lords command 1 cor 14.37 2 peter 3.2 and acts 10.43 psalm 119.9 ,well we have our opinions but it doesent mean they are right we must fall in line to scripture . As a woman myself, there are so many ways that the Samaritan woman had that I can relate to and I am sure that many women can relate to. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. She tells him that she does not have one, wherein Jesus tells her that she has had five husbands and that she is not even married to the one she is living with now. “Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well.” Jesus was not a ghost, or an angel, he was a real man, fully man, with all the emotions and passions of a real man… yet without sin. It’s possible that all 5 of her husbands died, but not likely, it makes more sense that they put her away and she remarried. But then she says something very odd: “…Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem. the woman must have repented after that. Samaritans and Jews were not on friendly terms and most Jews tried to avoid that route. Site by Glass Canvas. If only she hadn’t sought fulfilment in her marriages… she’d have saved so much heartache! The Samaritan woman, unlike other individuals who speak with Jesus in the Gospel of John, is never named. Now, here’s the thing. So Jesus said go call Your husband and she said I have no husband. Now I am not making the crass point that she had can’t have had anything to be ashamed of. We’re all pretty familiar with this meeting in John 4, but have you ever noticed how their conversation takes a strange turn at the end?Let’s quickly outline the path of their conversation: Jesus asks for a drink. She finally found her true love.😀. He doesn’t condemn her lifestyle but meets her deepest heart-needs. Instead, our Lord made his way through Samaria, resting at a place called Jacob’s well, where he asks a Samaritan woman for a drink. At Jacob's well Jesus meets a Samaritan woman. The story lends itself perfectly to a dissatisfaction narrative: you know the one? OK, that’s the first odd turn in this conversation. But it was worse in 1st Century Judaea. He tells her she had 5 husbands. There were six different idols in Samaria the people were worshipping at that time. This was when a man picked a virgin took her back to his or her tent and the rest is history. It’s not at all obvious what he’s up to. A very cursory glance at some popular commentaries reinforces this. Site design by ninefootone. husband here doesent mean idol it means man greek is 435 and is jesus word , when you enter into speculation and subjective imppressions its a whole new ball game one of deception, it creates chaos in church and stops all holy spirits work i seen my church blown to bits by it feeling goosebumps really have no anchor in word of GOD, as i found out my self they just lead to bitter end a lot o women come into church. Mark 12:19-25 shows that Jesus is familiar with the law where a women can be married multiple times. As I listened to her, I began to think about the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4–42). Jesus meets the woman alone, at a well. Then she met Jesus, who asked her to go and get her husband and she replys I have no husband. Treasury of Scripture. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. The echoes of Rebekkah and Rachel at the well reminds you that wells are places the bride is found for the bridegroom. First, she says, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. that doesent mean a believer can marry a unbeliver that would be unequaily yoked . The Samaritan woman at the well is no angel. I wonder whether both the dissatisfaction and the victim-of-patriarchy narratives both are too modern and not Jewish enough. While a woman victimized by divorce or death of her husband might garner some sympathy today, at the time, her track record would still have been viewed negatively by Jews and Samaritans alike. This one’s been a struggle, strangely. They are not … The ingredients used to make this drink remain a secret but it is supposed that this beverage deeply influenced each initiates experience and possibly was the cause of the ecstatic and ineffable visions experienced during the mysteries. You’ll see in a bit why I pointed that out. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. And we also know she … I got goose bumps. In the case of death of her husband, a widowed woman may have been viewed as cursed or dangerous. Her reputation would have been even worse in the case of divorce. He became sin for us. And none of them satisfied her. But this passage clearly states that the woman has had 5 husbands. I have been shown two explanations as to why Jesus said this to her: The first one is that Jesus was prophesying the truth about her sinful life. How else would Jesus know about her checkered past? Our fathers worshipped on this mountain and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. So whoever we worship becomes our husband. And treats her with a magnetic dignity and respect. She had been married five times and was living in sin with a man who wasn’t her husband. We’re on safer ground if we simply see what is going on in the narrative and seek to understand that within the context of the whole gospel. As we look back into the customs of the day, we can devise a number of scenarios that explain why the woman at the well had five husbands and her current companion was not legally her husband. Even though he is outrageously transgressing various ancient taboos (a Jewish, single man, speaking to a multi-married, Samaritan woman in public)! So let’s presume, therefore, that she didn’t necessarily want the divorces. The woman is said to have had many husbands (she is unfaithful). Some scholars suggest that the drink contained psychoactive substances which may have enhanced the experience and contributed to mak… Jesus offers no comment about her status. 4:16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." He went through Samaria. So the commentators above who mention her spiritual needs met in Christ are clearly right. no. This is why the Jews wouldn’t have anything in common with Samaritans — because their assimilation with these pagans had defiled them. Because marriage back then had to do with a blood connection (via a virgin), -sexual relationship and a covenant w/ God. Privacy Policy The Samaritan woman is surprised at his request because Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans. Then she met Jesus and her eyes were opened. How many husbands did the Samaritan woman have? As the Samaritan woman represents the nation of Israel her five husbands represent the idolatrous covenants Israel had made with foreign gods – illustrated by the five groups who resettled Samaria. John 4:5-6 sets the scene for this narrative. / This should have been strike three. ” When she said she would like this “living water,” Jesus asks her to get her husband. A. If this is true, the transition from talking about “five husbands” to “true worship” naturally follows. There were six different idols at that time. So, let’s get back to this view of Jesus and the Samaritan woman as an example of how to carry out the Great Commission. people are getting confused about there gender .animals and insects dont get confused about who they are and we rule over them and are made in the image of GOD, That was soooooooo good thank you sooooooooooooooo much God bless you. He is looking into her eyes and she into His and Jesus says, I who speak to You am He. That would be absurd. Which she either had had lawfully, and had buried one after another; and which was no crime, and might be: the Sadducees propose a case to Christ, in which a woman is said to have had seven husbands successively, in a lawful manner, Matthew 22:25. Although living under the same roof as the 6th man, it well could have been in the presence of his family in preparation for marriage, meaning guard against impropriety. Before getting into the general treasure, here are a couple of notices. the text says that Lord was tired, at the well, and asked the woman for a drink, the temp was not mentioned, yet i’ve heard teachings where the temp was described as being hot. What was that sin? As Anselm of Canterbury so wisely described his outlook: which, being interpreted, means Faith Seeking Understanding. Maybe the first husband dies and she was married off to a brother or kinsman related to the husband and so on down the line. But there’s one crucial factor in the story which is so often overlooked – and it changes the narrative’s complexion radically. When Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman in John 4:17-19, is the passage about her husbands literal, or symbolic of the five different tribes that were settled in her town?. Plus, she went back to her town and proclaimed Jesus the Messiah. Jesus went to the cross with no sin Gary Michuta is an apologist, author and speaker and a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Livonia. 2000 years ago there was no marrage licence. Whereas Jesus quenches spiritual thirst forever. is not. During the night of initiation at Eleusis, the initiates of the Eleusinian mysteries accepted the drink just like Demeter in the Hymn to Demeter. Is it possible that the 6th man Jesus refers to is in fact married to another woman? In fact, I was reading something just this week which emphasised the point. [Nor, for that matter, would he be so accommodating to the man with whom the woman about to be stoned in John 8 – but that’s another story.]. Opportunities for purloining your own treasure as it happens. Where does it say that she was divorced? Being with a man who isn’t her husband is self-explanatory but what’s wrong with her having had five husbands? A. She had five husbands. For example, when Nicodemus visited Jesus at night, Jesus told him, “… no one can see the kingdom of heaven unless he is born from above” or “born again. He is the only one who can satisfy us. Read the latest local Detroit Catholic News in your inbox. Did you ever read in the Bible where we that believe in Jesus and love Him are referred to as the bride of Christ. Visit his website at www. You are on your sixth one and he is not your husband. But the true bridegroom is calling her back. Inklings and Yarnspinners Yay! The more often it happened, the greater the sense of ‘being damaged goods’. ’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband” (John 4:17-18). Stop. Why could she not have widowed? Nearly all pick up on Jesus’s wonderful gentleness and openness, but this is how they describe her. At the time of the encounter the woman was living with a sixth man, one who was not her husband. Stop. Adultery. Jesus tells her He can give her living water. Jesus was in the earth but live in the spirit not in the flesh By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. the text doesn’t say she was divorced 5 times, yet i keep hearing some teachers build a lesson including this. Five Husbands of the Samaritan Woman, St.Photina. The fact that she was drawing water alone, at midday, probably indicates she was a social outcast. As for your statement…”but I’m usually pretty sceptical of over-allegorised interpretations…” I couldn’t agree more! 2. You can simply BUY me a COFFEE! She was both sinner AND sinned against with her many husbands. All Q original content is © Mark Meynell (2006–2020). He knows that she has led a scandalous life. It was about noon. Being exhausted, she decides to cohabitate with #6. The woman herself knew she wasn’t married to a (human) husband. ” Nicodemus misunderstands Jesus to be speaking about physical birth, when Jesus is actually talking about supernatural rebirth in baptism (John 3:1-12). Copyright © 2020 Detroit Catholic She had “had five husbands” (John 4:18), and the one she was now with wasn’t her husband. And Jesus. ” When she said she would like this “living water,” Jesus asks her to get her husband. Maybe by this means a sevenfold promise became a perfect promise, and seven thus became the perfect number. Possibly the woman tried every nation and ran out of choices. did jesus devorse his church and marry another no did GOD devorse israel and marry another no does death break the marriage covnant yes . Samaria’s checkered past had distorted its worship, insisting that true worship must take place on Mount Gerizim, not in the temple in Jerusalem. Can you imagine, she had been looking for the real God with all her heart…and there He was standing right in front of her. Except a Samaritan woman. But we do. Five husbands of the Samaritan Woman at well ? No wonder she was living with a 6th man, even without being married to him. approaching the Samaritan woman is an important factor in interpreting the text.7 Although readings of feminist interpreters and the other contemporary scholars of the marginalized are uplifting and somewhat liberating, they also leave me with a sense of discomfort. Jesus said to her, ‘You are right when you say you have no husband. Learn how your comment data is processed. Q. We know she had had five husbands, and the man she had currently was not her husband. Was Jesus chastising the woman at the well for having 5 husbands in John 4:16-18 - Duration: 3:30. Only the barest outline of their past is ever related: the Samaritan woman had five husbands [John 4:18], the lame man had been afflicted for thirty-eight years [John 5:5], and the blind man had been blind from birth [John 9:1]. remember moses gave this because only one time because of the hardness of the heart this isnt a new order ,as people were complaining moaning despite how many were lead out of egypt how many enterd into the promised land 7 or eight if i recall the last mention of the time of year was passover, probably an april passover, and maybe the temps in holy land were cooler then, who knows, still no mention in the scriptural account, so why add to the scriptures….. verse 17 the woman answerd and said ihave no husband jesus said to her .you have well said i have no husband for you have had five husbands and the one whom you have now is not your husband a certificate of devorse doesent break the marriage covnant . Jesus saying 5 husbands is more exact than saying “several”. And Jesus knows it. That would be better than nothing. Could it be the word husband’s could refer to something else entirely? Of course Israel was also the victim of those gods and kingdoms she chased after. In John 4:16-18 Jesus tells the Samaritan woman to go and get her husband. A. These Five Husbands, KAAM, KARODHH, LOBHH, MOH and HANKAAR are well known to the Sikhs but hardly there is any Sikh of quality. That’ll preach! hes talking about to unbelivers and one gets saved or begining to be saved . And I’ve now lost count of the times I’ve read or heard it. in a fascinating if long New Yorker article, “O Tempora! When He comes He will show us all things. OK, that’s the first odd turn in this conversation. Loved the article as well as the premise. “Had” seems to imply that the husbands died not that she divorced them. Now read John 4:22-24. Her response takes another odd turn. It’s definitely possible. Is it impossible to believe she was a widow. Jesus was telling her I am your husband. the only thing that breaks the marriage covnant is death so they could have all died , and the one the woman was with now she wasnt married to yes it dosent say much about it Some say that she was nothing less than a prostitute or a whore. But then Our Lord makes this rather strange request: Jesus saith to her: Go, call thy husband, and come hither. Men did not live very long back in those days.I think this because the book of Ruth,she was a widow and was married to a kinsman of her father-in-law,who was Boaz.Samaritan womans sin was living with a man who was not her husband not necessarily the five husbands.If you ask for forgiveness ,Jesus will forgive you,however, you are not suppose to keep sinning again and again.She went back to town and was testifiying that Christ new all things ever she did.Well Every one is entitled to their interpretation, jesus pointed out that the woman at the well was sinning she had had 5 husbands and the one she was with now wasnt her husband .as jesus teaching on marriage is very strict not it be for fornication he says in matthew 19.9 .the word not was changed to exept by erasmus in 1522 giving the option for remmariage . 16 He said to her, “Go call your husband and come back here.” 17 The woman replied, “I have no husband.” Just imagine the Samaritan woman, how shocked she must be, to hear Jesus knowing her marital past,then: Jesus said to her, “Right you are when you said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the man you are living with[h] now is not your husband. There is no place in God’s word giving credit to your remarks! The woman could be seen as a symbol of unfaithful Israel (particularly the Northern Kingdom) worshipping on the wrong mountains. He is similar to Adam in his sinless innocence before he fell, who filled with desire for the woman, burst into emotional, passionate poetry as soon as he saw a woman, his life companion, Eve: “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” This Samaritan woman had had five husbands, another man would not commit himself, and now Jesus, the perfect man, is willing to be the seventh man in her life, a husband, who will never leave her nor forsake her, different from all the rest because He will remain faithful, and if she be unfaithful to him, then he will take steps to win back her heart’s deepest love. You see, she’s been married 5 times, and living with a 6th. hes talking about physical death not spiritual .eg as paul tought a unbeliver is saved by a believer in marriage union and really believe all these feeling they have its part of sinfull nature which must be crucified you only have to give satan your little finger and he has taken your arm and came in back door then he has given you a vision to edify these feeling you have then a scripture to make it seem even more real then he says wait for thee appointed time so you wait pray for ten years then you end back to square one you have to start over again and GOD will tell you i have come to test you but not for destruction to give you experiance. The woman appears in John 4:4–42, However below is John 4:4–26: The woman responds, “I don’t have a husband” and Jesus replies, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband. It proves that for Jesus, there is never such a thing as damaged goods. Jesus and the Samaritan Woman ... "I have no husband," the woman replied. He says your right in saying you have no husband . But Jesus…? The woman answered, and said: I have no husband. Why five? She can know that he knows her through and through and yet accepts her and will stay with her forever. Q. he was pointing out her sin and needed to repent . jesus went on to talk a lot to her and spend 2 days with the smaritans verse 43 it looks like he was showing him self to the samaritians and telling them he was the messiah . Then the woman says I know that Messiah is coming the one who is called Christ. It’s midday, baking hot, and deserted. Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman. There is, in addition, a wonderfully affirmative and empowering element to the intervention of grace. Jesus did not have sexual desires! On the earthly level, Jesus and the Samaritan woman are discussing her current matrimonial history, but there seems to be more going on here. Of course, Jesus didn’t hate anyone. We worship Jesus and He is our husband. Or maybe she didn’t change the subject. Why would the Samaritan woman suddenly change subjects from marriage to the nature of true worship? What makes Jesus ask for her husband now after she expressed a desire to receive the “living water” that satisfies every thirst? Cookies. There’s absolutely nothing in the text to suggest anything of the sort. At that time in Samaria, the people worshiped idols. Five different nations were dropped off in Samaria, II Kings 17:24, who knew nothing of God, II Kings 17:25. John 4 Part 5: - Meanwhile, His Labourers urged Him, Rabbi, eat something. Marg on June 15, 2016 at 5:38 pm . And as far as I could see from my far too quick survey, Kruse was the only one to point this out in the newer Tyndale NT Commentary. John 4:5-42 (NIV) Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Yet another factor in her heartache. 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