Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 4:5

"So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph:" — John 4:5 (ASV)

The shortest route from Jerusalem to Galilee lay on the high road straight through Samaritan territory. Many Jews would not travel by that road, for they regarded any contact with Samaritans as defiling (on the Samaritans, see comment on Lk 9:53–54). By the time of Jesus a strong rivalry and hatred between Jews and Samaritans prevailed. The words “had to” translate an expression of necessity. As the Savior of all humanity, Jesus felt he had to confront the smoldering suspicion and enmity between Jews and Samaritans by ministering to his enemies.

Sychar was a small village near Shechem, about half a mile from Jacob’s well, which is located in the modern Shechem or Nablus.