John 4:22 – “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus continues his conversation with the Samaritan woman about worship. He makes a bold statement: the Samaritans worship what they do not know, while the Jews worship what they do know. He then declares an important truth—salvation comes from the Jews.

What does this mean? Jesus is saying that the Samaritans had an incomplete understanding of God because they only accepted part of Scripture (the first five books of Moses, called the Torah) and rejected the rest of the Old Testament, which contains God’s full revelation. Meanwhile, the Jewish people had received the full revelation of God’s plan through the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings.

However, Jesus is not saying that being Jewish automatically makes someone right with God. Instead, he is pointing to the fact that God chose to reveal His plan of salvation through the Jewish people. The Messiah, whom God promised, would come from the Jewish nation—specifically from the line of David (Isaiah 11:1, Micah 5:2).

This verse is important because Jesus is correcting false worship while also pointing the Samaritan woman toward the truth. He is preparing her to understand that salvation is not about following a religion—it is about knowing the Savior.

Historical Context

1. Jewish and Samaritan Divisions – The Jews and Samaritans had been religious rivals for centuries. The Samaritans only accepted the first five books of Moses and rejected Jewish teachings about the temple, prophets, and God’s promises to David. This led to an incomplete understanding of God’s plan.
2. The Role of the Jews in God’s Plan – From the very beginning, God had chosen Israel as the nation through which He would bring salvation to the world (Genesis 12:1-3). The Messiah was prophesied to come from Israel, specifically from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10).
3. The Expectation of the Messiah – Both Jews and Samaritans were waiting for a coming figure to reveal God’s truth, but their understanding was different. The Jews expected a descendant of David, while the Samaritans expected a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). Jesus is about to reveal that he is the fulfillment of both expectations.

Theological Implications

1. Correct Worship Matters – Jesus acknowledges that the Samaritans had an incomplete understanding of God because they did not fully embrace His revelation. Worship must be based on truth, not just sincerity.
2. God’s Plan of Salvation is Through Jesus – When Jesus says, “salvation is from the Jews,” he is pointing to the fact that the Messiah—God’s chosen Savior—would come from Israel. This is not about racial superiority but about God’s sovereign choice to bring salvation through a particular people.
3. Faith is More Than Tradition – The Samaritan woman had grown up with certain religious traditions, but Jesus was leading her beyond them to see the fullness of God’s plan. Many people today also hold to religious traditions without truly understanding the truth of God’s salvation.

Literary Analysis

1. A Contrast Between Knowing and Not Knowing – Jesus makes a clear distinction: the Samaritans worship what they do not fully know, while the Jews worship with a fuller understanding. This contrast highlights the importance of knowing God’s revealed truth.
2. A Lead-Up to a Greater Revelation – Jesus does not stop here. In the next verses, he will explain that true worship is not about ethnicity or location, but about worshiping God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
3. A Statement of Authority – Jesus speaks directly and with authority. He does not simply offer an opinion; he states what is true. This is consistent with how he teaches throughout the Gospels.

Biblical Cross-References

1. Genesis 12:1-3 – God promises Abraham that all nations will be blessed through his descendants (pointing to Jesus).
2. Genesis 49:10 – The Messiah is prophesied to come from the tribe of Judah.
3. Isaiah 11:1 – A prophecy about the Messiah coming from the line of David.
4. Micah 5:2 – The prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a Jewish town.
5. Romans 3:1-2 – Paul explains that the Jews were entrusted with the Word of God, showing why Jesus said that salvation comes from them.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Truth Matters in Worship – Many people believe that as long as they are sincere, any form of worship is acceptable. But Jesus teaches that worship must be based on truth. It is not enough to be religious—we must know and follow the truth revealed in Scripture.
2. God’s Plan is for All People – Although salvation came through the Jews, it was never meant to be just for them. Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, came to save the whole world (John 3:16). This verse reminds us that God’s plan is bigger than any one nation, race, or tradition.
3. We Must Move Beyond Tradition to Truth – The Samaritan woman had religious beliefs, but they were incomplete. Many people today grow up in religious traditions without fully understanding God’s truth. Jesus challenges us to go deeper and seek Him, not just follow traditions.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He revealed Himself throughout history. He did not leave people in the dark; He chose a nation (Israel) to be the channel through which He would bring salvation to the world. But His love is not limited to one group—it extends to all people.

Jesus’ words also show that God does not want people to remain in spiritual ignorance. He lovingly corrects false worship and leads people into the truth. This is part of His love—He does not let us stay in error but calls us to know Him truly.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the Fulfillment of God’s Promise – When Jesus says that “salvation is from the Jews,” he is referring to himself. He is the Jewish Messiah who brings salvation to the whole world.
2. Jesus is the True Way to Worship – Worshiping God is not about following a particular tradition or location—it is about knowing and worshiping Jesus, the one through whom salvation comes (John 14:6).
3. Jesus is the Truth that Corrects False Worship – Just as Jesus corrected the Samaritan woman’s incomplete understanding, he continues to lead people today out of religious confusion and into the truth of the Gospel.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Jesus pointed out that the Samaritans worshiped what they did not know?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that all religions lead to God?
3. What does it mean that salvation comes “from the Jews”? How does that affect the way we understand Jesus’ role in God’s plan?
4. In what ways do people today rely on religious traditions rather than seeking the full truth of God’s Word?
5. How can we worship God in a way that is based on truth, rather than just emotion or tradition?