John Calvin 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)

Which is called Sichar: Jerome, in his epitaph on Paula, thinks that this is an incorrect reading and that it should have been written Sichem. Indeed, the latter appears to have been the ancient and true name, but it is probable that, in the time of the Evangelist, the word Sichar was already in common use.

Regarding the place, it is generally agreed that it was a city situated close to Mount Gerizim. Its inhabitants were treacherously slain by Simeon and Levi (Genesis 34:25), and Abimelech, a native of the place, afterwards razed it to its foundations (Judges 9:45). However, the convenience of its situation was such that a city was built there a third time, which, in the age of Jerome, they called Neapolis.

By adding so many details, the Evangelist removes all doubt, for we are clearly informed by Moses where that field was which Jacob assigned to the children of Joseph (Genesis 48:22). It is also universally acknowledged that Mount Gerizim was near Shechem. We will later state that a temple was built there, and there can be no doubt that Jacob lived a long time in that place with his family.

And Jesus, fatigued by the journey. He did not pretend to be weary but was actually fatigued. For, so that he might be better prepared to exercise sympathy and compassion towards us, he took upon himself our weaknesses, as the Apostle shows that we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15).

The circumstance of the time agrees with this, for it is not surprising that, being thirsty and fatigued, he rested at the well about noon. Since the day, from sunrise to sunset, had twelve hours, the sixth hour was Noon. When the Evangelist says that he sat thus, he means that it was the posture of a man who was fatigued.