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King James Bible - John 4:12

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SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:12

¿Eres t� mayor que nuestro padre Jacob, que nos dio este pozo, del cual �l bebi�, y sus hijos, y sus ganados?

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Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 4:12

Verse 12. Our father Jacob] The ancient Samaritans were undoubtedly the descendants of Jacob; for they were the ten tribes that revolted in the reign of Rehoboam: but those in our Lord's time were not genuine Israelites, but a corrupted race, sprung from a mixture of different nations, sent thither by Salmanezer, king of the Assyrians. See 2 Kings xvii. 24.

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Matthew Henry Commentary

Verses 4-26 - There was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Christ' road from Judea to Galilee lay through Samaria. We should not go int places of temptation but when we needs must; and then must not dwell in them, but hasten through them. We have here our Lord Jesus under the common fatigue of travellers. Thus we see that he was truly a man. Toi came in with sin; therefore Christ, having made himself a curse for us submitted to it. Also, he was a poor man, and went all his journeys of foot. Being wearied, he sat thus on the well; he had no couch to res upon. He sat thus, as people wearied with travelling sit. Surely, we ought readily to submit to be like the Son of God in such things a these. Christ asked a woman for water. She was surprised because he di not show the anger of his own nation against the Samaritans. Moderat men of all sides are men wondered at. Christ took the occasion to teac her Divine things: he converted this woman, by showing her ignoranc and sinfulness, and her need of a Saviour. By this living water i meant the Spirit. Under this comparison the blessing of the Messiah ha been promised in the Old Testament. The graces of the Spirit, and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul, that knows its own nature an necessity. What Jesus spake figuratively, she took literally. Chris shows that the water of Jacob's well yielded a very short satisfaction Of whatever waters of comfort we drink, we shall thirst again. But whoever partakes of the Spirit of grace, and the comforts of the gospel, shall never want that which will abundantly satisfy his soul Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal ends. Give it me, saith she not that I may have everlasting life, which Christ proposed, but that come not hither to draw. The carnal mind is very ingenious in shiftin off convictions, and keeping them from fastening. But how closely ou Lord Jesus brings home the conviction to her conscience! He severel reproved her present state of life. The woman acknowledged Christ to be a prophet. The power of his word in searching the heart, and convincin the conscience of secret things, is a proof of Divine authority. I should cool our contests, to think that the things we are strivin about are passing away. The object of worship will continue still the same, God, as a Father; but an end shall be put to all difference about the place of worship. Reason teaches us to consult decency an convenience in the places of our worship; but religion gives n preference to one place above another, in respect of holiness an approval with God. The Jews were certainly in the right. Those who by the Scriptures have obtained some knowledge of God, know whom the worship. The word of salvation was of the Jews. It came to othe nations through them. Christ justly preferred the Jewish worship befor the Samaritan, yet here he speaks of the former as soon to be don away. God was about to be revealed as the Father of all believers in every nation. The spirit or the soul of man, as influenced by the Holy Spirit, must worship God, and have communion with him. Spiritual affections, as shown in fervent prayers, supplications, an thanksgivings, form the worship of an upright heart, in which God delights and is glorified. The woman was disposed to leave the matte undecided, till the coming of the Messiah. But Christ told her, I tha speak to thee, am He. She was an alien and a hostile Samaritan, merel speaking to her was thought to disgrace our Lord Jesus. Yet to thi woman did our Lord reveal himself more fully than as yet he had done to any of his disciples. No past sins can bar our acceptance with him, i we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

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Greek Textus Receptus

μη 3361 PRT-N συ 4771 P-2NS μειζων 3187 A-NSM-C ει 1488 5748 V-PXI-2S του 3588 T-GSM πατρος 3962 N-GSM ημων 2257 P-1GP ιακωβ 2384 N-PRI ος 3739 R-NSM εδωκεν 1325 5656 V-AAI-3S ημιν 2254 P-1DP το 3588 T-ASN φρεαρ 5421 N-ASN και 2532 CONJ αυτος 846 P-NSM εξ 1537 PREP αυτου 846 P-GSN επιεν 4095 5627 V-2AAI-3S και 2532 CONJ οι 3588 T-NPM υιοι 5207 N-NPM αυτου 846 P-GSM και 2532 CONJ τα 3588 T-NPN θρεμματα 2353 N-NPN αυτου 846 P-GSM

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Vincent's NT Word Studies

12. Art thou greater (mh su meizwn). The interrogative particle indicates that a negative answer is expected: Surely thou art not. The su, thou, first in the sentence, is emphatic, and possibly with a shade of contempt.

Our father Jacob. The Samaritans claimed descent from Joseph, as representing the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

Children (uioi). Rev., correctly, sons.

Cattle (qremmata). Only here in the New Testament. From (trefw) to nourish. A general term for whatever is fed or nursed. When used of animals - mostly of tame ones - cattle, sheep, etc. It is applied to children, fowls, insects, and fish, also to domestic slaves, which, according to some, is the meaning here; but, as Meyer justly remarks, "there was no need specially to name the servants; the mention of the herds completes the picture of their nomadic progenitor."