John 4:24

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:24

A still more explicit and comprehensive reason is given for the previous assertion, based on the essential nature of God himself in the fulness of his eternal Being. God is Spirit ( πνεῦμα ὁ θεός ; cf. John 1:1 , θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος ,—the article indicates the subject, and the predicate is here generic, and not an indefinite; therefore we do not render it, "God is a Spirit"). The most comprehensive and far-reaching metaphor or method by which Jesus endeavoured to portray the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:24

The fallacy of holy places. I. THE FALLACY EMPHATICALLY STATED . Up to this point in the conversation the woman has not the slightest idea that religious matters are in question; but immediately on concluding that Jesus is a Prophet, she proceeds to show that she can talk about religion as well as other people. Jesus seeks to fasten her up in a corner where she may be dealt with according to her individual sin and individual need, and so she tries to escape away into a general... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:24

God is A spirit - This is the second reason why men should worship him in spirit and in truth. By this is meant that God is without a body; that he is not material or composed of parts; that he is invisible, in every place, pure and holy. This is one of the first truths of religion, and one of the sublimest ever presented to the mind of man. Almost all nations have had some idea of God as gross or material, but the Bible declares that he is a pure spirit. As he is such a spirit, he dwells not... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 4:24

John 4:24. God is a Spirit. &c. “As a further answer to the woman’s question, our Lord delivered a doctrine which may justly be called his own, as it exhibits an idea of God, and of the worship which is due to him, far more sublime than the best things said by the philosophers on that subject.” Christ came to declare God to us, and this he has declared concerning him, that he is a Spirit, and he declared it to this poor Samaritan woman, for the meanest are concerned to know God; and... 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 4:24

God. See App-98 ., with Art. Contrast John 1:1 . a Spirit = spirit: i.e. not flesh, or material substance. Not "a" Spirit. must . Note this absolute condition. Compare John 4:4 ; John 3:7 , John 3:14 , John 3:30 ; John 9:4 ; John 10:16 ; John 12:34 ; John 20:9 , &c. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 4:24

God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.God is a Spirit ... The countless anthropomorphisms of the Old Testament probably caused Jesus to set such a statement as this over against them all. God may be spoken of in terms of the activities of men, such as walking, seeing, hearing, etc., but there is a sense in which God is not like man at all. God is a Spirit, eternal, immortal, invisible, omniscient, ubiquitous, omnipotent, and all-pervading. He is above all... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 4:24

John 4:24. God is a Spirit, &c.— As a further answer to the woman's question, our great Teacher delivered a doctrine which may justly be called his own, as it exhibits an idea of the Supreme Being, and of the worship due to him, far more sublime than the best things which the philosophers have said on that subject. God is a Spirit, &c. "God is the supreme mind or intelligence, who by one act sees the thoughts of all other intelligences, and therefore may be worshipped in every place.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 4:24

21-24. Woman, c.—Here are three weighty pieces of information: (1) The point raised will very soon cease to be of any moment, for a total change of dispensation is about to come over the Church. (2) The Samaritans are wrong, not only as to the place, but the whole grounds and nature of their worship, while in all these respects the truth lies with the Jews. (3) As God is a Spirit, so He both invites and demands a spiritual worship, and already all is in preparation for a spiritual economy, more... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 4:1-26

1. The interview with the Samaritan woman 4:1-26There are several connections between this section and the preceding ones that provide continuity. One is the continuation of water as a symbol (cf. John 2:6; John 3:5; John 4:10-15). Another is the continuation of conversation in which Jesus reveals Himself as the fulfillment of what the Old Testament anticipated."Nicodemus was an eminent representative of orthodox Judaism. Now John records an interview Jesus had with one who stood for a class... read more

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