Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
Deflecting with Doctrine
Several commentators note that the woman, confronted with her sin, immediately changes the subject to a long-standing theological debate. Scholars like Charles Ellicott and Charles Spurgeon see this as a common human tendency: when the truth gets too personal, we often deflect by raising abstract religious questions to avoid dealing with our own hearts.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
John
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
16
Albert Barnes
On John 4:20
18th Century
Theologian
Our fathers. The Samaritans; perhaps also suggesting that the patriarchs had done so as well. (Genesis 33:20).
Wors…
AT Robertson
On John 4:20
In this mountain (εν τω ορε τουτω). Jacob's Well is at the foot of Mount Gerizim toward which she pointed. Sanballat erected a tem…
Charles Ellicott
On John 4:20
19th Century
Bishop
Our fathers worshipped.—She gives a sudden turn to the conversation. It is not that the question of worship is the all-engrossing …
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Charles Spurgeon
On John 4:20
19th Century
Preacher
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain;
That is, Mount Gerizim—
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 4:20
Realizing his superhuman knowledge, the woman called him a prophet; but then she tried to divert him. Since his probing was becoming uncomfortably …
John Calvin
On John 4:20
16th Century
Theologian
Our fathers. It is a mistaken opinion that some hold, that the woman, finding the reproof to be disagreeable and hateful, cunningly change…
John Gill
On John 4:20
17th Century
Pastor
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain
Mount Gerizim, which was just by, and within sight; so that the woman could …
Matthew Henry
On John 4:4–26
17th Century
Minister
There was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Christ's road from Judea to Galilee lay through Samaria. We should not go into places o…