John 4:5-6 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:5

He cometh therefore to a city of Samaria, called Sychar ( συχάρ , with all the principal uncials; not σιχάρ , as read by the Elzevir edition of Stephens, with one cursive, 69); not "the city" Shechem—the συχέμ of Acts 7:16 , or σίκιμα of Josephus ( Genesis 33:18 ; Joshua 20:7 ; 9:7 )—not Sebaste (Samaria), but "a city," one of the cities requiring special designation beyond its mere name, which would hardly have been necessary, if so renowned a spot as the metropolis... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:6

Now Jacob's well was there; more literally, now there was a spring there, Jacob ' s. The word generally translated "well" is φρέαρ , the representative of ראֵבְּ , puteus ; but πηγή , the word here used, corresponds with ניִעַ , fons. In John 4:11 , John 4:12 the word φρέαρ is used of the same place. To the present day this indubitable site goes by both names. This district abounds in springs ( Deuteronomy 8:7 ), and the digging of this deep well was a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:6-15

The fountain of living water. I. AN EVIDENT PHYSICAL NEED . This chapter connects spiritual truth with one great physical need of men, even as John 6:1-71 . connects spiritual truth with another great need. Both Jesus and the woman were exactly in the position to appreciate the value of water, and the opportunity of getting it easily and freely. Jesus is a thirsty Traveller; the woman is one who has frequent journeys from her home to get the indispensable supply forevery day's... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:5

Sychar - This city stood about eight miles southeast of the city called Samaria, between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It was one of the oldest cities of Palestine, and was formerly known by the name of “Shechem,” or Sichem, Genesis 33:18; Genesis 12:6. The city was in the tribe of Ephraim, Joshua 21:21. It was at this place that Joshua assembled the people before his death, and here they renewed their covenant with the Lord, Joshua 24:0. After the death of Gideon it became a place of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:6

Jacob’s well - This is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It was called “Jacob’s well,” probably, either because it was handed down by tradition that he dug it, or because it was near to the land which he gave to Joseph. There is still a well a few miles to the east of Nablus, which is said by the people there to be the same. Eli Smith, missionary to Syria, stated to me that he had visited this well. It is about 100 feet deep. It is cut through solid rock of limestone. It is now dry, probably... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 4:4-6

John 4:4-6. And he must needs go through Samaria The road from Judea to Galilee lying directly through it. Then cometh he In the progress of his journey; to a city of Samaria, called Sychar The original name of the place was Sichem, or Shechem, but now the Jews called it Sychar, which name they used as a term of reproach, intimating thereby that it was the seat of drunkards, see Isaiah 28:1; near to the parcel of ground that Jacob Having purchased it of the children of Hamor,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 4:1-42

23. Jesus in Samaria (John 4:1-42)When the Pharisees saw the crowds following Jesus they took an increasing interest in him. No doubt they were becoming jealous and soon might become violent. Jesus therefore decided to leave Judea for Galilee (John 4:1-3).As Jesus approached one of the villages of Samaria, he began a conversation with a Samaritan woman whom he met at a well (John 4:4-9). The woman had a similar problem to Nicodemus in that she interpreted Jesus’ words literally instead of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 4:5

Then = Therefore. to. Greek. eis. App-104 . Sychar . Now 'Askar. A village on the slope of Mount Ebal and north of Jacob's well. parcel of ground = field or land. that Jacob gave. Compare Genesis 33:19 ; Genesis 48:22 .Joshua 24:32 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 4:6

Jacob's well . Compare Genesis 49:22 . well = spring. Greek. pege. Not the same word as in verses: John 4:11 , John 4:12 , but as in John 4:14 . with = from. Greek. ek. App-104 . sat = was sitting. on : or by. Greek. epi. App-104 . Compare John 5:2 . the sixth hour . Of the day, i.e. noon. See on John 1:39 , and App-165 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 4:5

So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave his son Joseph.Sychar ... was near Shechem and the piece of ground Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor for a hundred pieces of money. It was also the scene of the bloody episode revolving around Jacob's daughter Dinah; it was the place where Jacob dug that famous well and belonged to the sons of Joseph, to which son Jacob had bequeathed the property. When the children of Israel brought with... read more