The University of Queensland
1
Management
Management
Gospel
Individual
Lecturer:
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Due Date: 11/4/2021
Cite two reasons that Jesus left Judea. 4:1-3 (cf. Mark 1:14). Bruce, p.
Jesus left Judea for Galilee for two reasons. First, the province was a foothold of the Pharisees who Christ often condemned for their hypocrisy, and therefore, they were filled with malice against him. Although he was not afraid to die, early persecution would have hampered his ministry, so he chose to leave Judea to a safer country – Galilee. Second, in Mark 1:14 we learn that Jesus had heard of John’s imprisonment. His return to Galilee, therefore, was to begin the Galilean ministry with the believers John had baptized.
Explain how Jesus could have been “making and baptizing” disciples, yet He “himself baptized not, but his disci­ples?” 4:1-2. Bruce, pp. 100f.
In John 4:2, Jesus did not baptize new converts, but his disciples did. He bestowed the honor on his disciples to conduct baptism, while he concentrated on a nobler cause, preaching. Thus, he gave them the power to administer sacraments to believers. Further, it might not have been appropriate for Jesus to baptize in his name, as this action would make some believers feel more valued than others. Christ’s baptism would later come in the form of the Holy Spirit after his ascent to heaven.
Why did strict Jews avoid travel through Samaria? 4:4,9. Bruce, p. 103.
Pious Jews could not pass through Samaria on their way to Galilee because they abhorred Samaritans (John 4:9). From the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, the two groups could not associate, probably because Samaritans were considered an outcast race – they were of mixed heritage and held heretical beliefs. More important, their dispute was about the place of worship: the ancestral mountain or Jerusalem. Because of this controversy, Jews could not travel through Samaria – a land where a rival temple was built.
Did Jesus use his conversation with the Samaritan woman about drinking water from Jacob’s well to teach what lesson? 4:6-14. Bruce, p. 104.
Jesus teaches the lesson of his Messianic status through his conversation with the woman at Jacob’s well. He displays his love for outcasts and transcends racial pride and Jewish traditions by talking to the woman. Starting with “Will you give me a drink” (John 1:7) to quench his thirst, Jesus reveals his identity as the “gift of God” and the source of the “living water” (John 1:10). He extends his love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace to those weighed down by sin as the Samaritan woman was.
Evaluate Bruce’s explanation of “living water.” 4:10,14. Bruce, pp. 104f.
Bruce explains that the “living water” that Jesus refers to (John 1:10) symbolizes life engendered by the Spirit. It reflects a physical restoration and cleansing from sin. In the Old Testament (Isaiah 4:4), God is the giver of this purifying water. In John 4:14, the living water gives eternal life, which, according to Bruce, denotes spiritual vivification after cleansing sins. It points to the life-giving nature of the Spirit to believers.
How did Jesus know about the Samaritan woman’s personal life? 4:16-18 (cf. John 2:25).
Jesus knew about the Samaritan woman’s immorality through divine revelation. John 2:25 says, “He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man”. Thus, Jesus being God had foreknowledge of the woman’s marital problems and the fact that she had been married five times, which is why she labeled him a prophet.
Why had the Samaritans built their temple on Mt. Gerizim? 4:20. Bruce, pp. 108f.
Because of the Samaritans’ mixed heritage, fundamental Jews were considered an inferior race and despised them. Due to this animosity, they could not travel to Jerusalem to worship at the temple as per Jewish traditions. They erected a rival sanctuary at Mt. Gerizim to continue to give sacrifices to God. The Samaritans also considered this mountain a holy place, as it was where Abraham offered to sacrifice Isaac according to the Old Testament account. They erected a temple here because the “ancestors worshipped on this mountain” (John 4:20).
Explain what Jesus might have meant by “worship in spirit and truth.” 4:24. Bruce, pp. 110f.
Jesus’ revelation that worshippers shall the Father in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24) implies that worship is not about the temple and outward forms, but it is all about God. The phrase means that true worship is not tied to physical places. Rather, it is an inward, spiritual event, not an outward expression of faith. True worship can only be conducted via the Holy Spirit. Additionally, worshipping ‘in truth’ means giving sincere adoration to God as revealed in the scriptures.
Comment on Jesus’ words in verses 25-26. Bruce, p. 111.
Jesus replies to the Samaritan woman that he is the anticipated Messiah who would explain everything to them. However, Christ does not openly reveal that he is the expected redeemer to the Jews, as this would have led many people to consider him an earthly leader, not the Savior.
What spiritual work did Jesus have in mind in speaking of “sowing and reaping?” 4:35-38. Bruce, pp. 114f.
Jesus used the parable of “sowing and reaping” to symbolize the winning of souls to Christ (John 4:37). After the encounter at the well, the Samaritan woman returned to Samaria and told the inhabitants of Christ.
Who said, “We know that this is indeed the Savior of the world?” and how did this belief come about? 4:42.
The Samaritan believers, after staying with Jesus for two days, were convinced that Christ is “indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). The belief came about after the woman’s testimony drew people to Jesus. His words, not miracles, led to the revelation that Christ is the Messiah of the world, and as a result, a spiritual reawakening occurred.
Tell about the second sign Jesus performed at Cana. 4:46ff.
Jesus had returned to Cana – a place where he did the miracle of changing water into wine – when he met a wealthy man whose son was dying at Capernaum. Despite his wealth and noble status, he still needed help out of his situation. Typical of Galileans, he sought Jesus’ miracle to heal his son by visiting the boy at his sickbed. However, Christ told the nobleman that the boy would be cured. Upon inquiring about the time his son recovered, the nobleman knew Jesus had healed him at the instant he declared healing on him. Because of this second sign at Cana, the rich man’s household converted, depicting him as a sign-seeker.
What feature in Jesus’ healing the noblemans son is shown by verses 52-53?
Jesus’ healing of the official’s son establishes him as the Savior, not a miracle worker. The nobleman believed without seeing a sign when Jesus told him to go home. John 4:52-53 confirms that the boy was cured at the exact time Jesus declared his recovery. As a result, his faith in Christ was reestablished. He then believed that Jesus was the Savior and his household was saved. These scriptures show that divine intervention involves faith in Christ.
Verses 3b-4 are not included in some modern versions. Explain why. Bruce, p. 122.
Verse 5:3b-4 gives a likely background to the reason crippled people gathered at the Sheep Gate pool. It explains that an angel would descend from heaven and touch the waters. The first individual to dip his body in the pool would be cured. While some earlier Bible versions, e.g., the King James Version, include this verse, modern translations exclude it because it seems to diminish the power of Christ’s miraculous healings and it does not augur well with the nature of biblical miracles. Some theologians indicate that this scripture is not accurate and it relates to ancient superstitions.
Discuss whether Jesus healed people because of their faith, or to create faith. 5:7-9.
The passage on the healing of a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years shows that Jesus’ miracles were not dependent upon an individual’s level of faith. When Christ asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6) he did not respond in the affirmative; instead, he gives a complaint. Nevertheless, Jesus declares healing to him: “Stand up, take your mat and walk” (John 5:8). It appears that the man at this point did not seem to have faith in Christ. Later, when the Jewish authorities ask him who healed him, he submits...