In John 4:22, Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well and said to her, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.” This statement has been interpreted in different ways, but in context Jesus seems to be making a few key points:
1. Jesus is identifying Himself as a Jew in contrast to the Samaritan faith
The Samaritan religion had developed separately from Judaism over the centuries since the Assyrian exile, and the two groups had theological differences and animosity. When Jesus identifies the Jews as having the true knowledge of worship, He is positioning Himself religiously in contrast to this Samaritan woman He is speaking with. Jesus is a Jew, whereas she is a Samaritan.
2. Jesus is affirming the legitimacy of Jewish worship
Not only does Jesus identify Himself as a Jew, but He affirms the rightness of Jewish worship over and against Samaritan worship. The Jews worshipped as God had instructed them, whereas the Samaritan religious system had incorporated idolatrous elements and strayed from divine revelation. So Jesus is validating the worship system He grew up in.
3. Jesus is claiming that salvation is from the Jews
This statement that “salvation is from the Jews” was radical and offensive to Samaritan ears. They would have believed that worship on Mt. Gerizim was just as valid. But Jesus sets them straight – the promises, covenants, Scriptures, and Messiah were coming through the people of Israel. Salvation history was working through the Jews, not the Samaritans.
4. Jesus is pointing forward to His identity as the Jewish Messiah
If salvation is “from the Jews” as Jesus claims, He is positioning Himself as the One who will bring that salvation as the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus is claiming unique knowledge and authority here as the fulfillment of all the Jewish hopes, worship, and Scriptures. The supreme revelation of God for salvation will come through Him.
5. Jesus is saying the Samaritans worship in ignorance
This is an offensive statement to make, which provokes the woman to further dialogue. The Samaritans had their sacred sites and competing religious system on Mt. Gerizim, which they claimed was the true place of worship. But Jesus dismantles this belief by saying they worship what they do not know. Their worship was ignorant according to the full revelation of God given through the Scriptures.
6. Jesus contrasts true and false worship
Undergirding the statement is a juxtaposition between two approaches to worship. On the one hand is worship fixed in divine revelation – what Jesus says the Jews follow. On the other hand is worship based on partial knowledge or false beliefs – what Jesus accuses the Samaritan religion of practicing. True worship must be grounded in truth about God.
In summary, Jesus is highlighting the divisions between Jews and Samaritans over worship, affirming the legitimacy of Jewish worship against Samaritan forms, and uniquely positioning Himself as the Jewish Messiah who will bring the fullness of salvation. His statement provokes deeper discussion about the nature of true worship and reveals Jesus’ own identity and authority as God’s Son.
7. The Old Testament background
Jesus’ statement about the Samaritans worshipping what they do not know has its background in 2 Kings 17, which describes the origin of the Samaritan people and religion. When the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians, foreigners were brought into populate the land. These foreigners brought their pagan idols and practices, which were incorporated into their worship (2 Kings 17:24-41). They had limited exposure to the Torah and a syncretistic form of religion developed.
8. John 4 in the context of John’s Gospel
The dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman fits into John’s broader theme of Jesus as the divine Messiah and Son of God. John is seeking to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jewish hopes, even as many reject Him. Jesus has greater knowledge of spiritual realities than this Samaritan woman, and the story highlights Jesus’ unique identity claims.
John also contrasts true and false worship, with Jesus as the object of true worship and full revelation of the Father. John repeatedly contrasts divine and human perspectives on spiritual realities (John 3:3-13, 4:10-26, 8:14-58). Jesus reveals that He alone truly knows the Father because He is from above.
9. Implications of Jesus’ statement
Jesus’ bold statement prompted a re-examination for the Samaritan woman of the legitimacy of worship on Mt. Gerizim and the knowledge her people had of God. Jesus’ exclusive claim to offer access to God through Himself would have scandalized both Jews and Samaritans. But His statement forms part of the foundation of the Christian faith – that salvation is through Christ alone.
Jesus’ statement also reinforces that worship must be grounded in truth as revealed by God in order to be legitimate and pleasing to Him. Worship flows out of right understanding about God’s character and His works in history. Empty ritual or worship of false gods is offensive to a holy God.
Finally, there are implications for evangelism. As Jesus demonstrated, it is important to connect with people where they are while also challenging flawed worldviews with gospel truth. Skilled evangelists, like Jesus, find common ground before exposing flaws in defective belief systems.
10. The exclusivity of Jesus’ claims
In claiming that “salvation is from the Jews,” Jesus was making an exclusive statement that would have been provocative in a relativistic culture. Samaritans and Jews viewed each other’s worship as illegitimate. Jesus dismantles this by positioning Himself as the fulfillment of the hopes of Israel.
The New Testament reiterates that there is salvation in no other name but Christ (Acts 4:12). Jesus alone reveals the Father, because He alone is from the Father (John 1:18). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
In our pluralistic age, these exclusive claims of Christ are politically incorrect. But they are consistent in Scripture. Jesus is the only source of eternal life and the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). A Jesus who affirms all religions as equally valid would not be the Jesus of the Gospels.
11. Jesus and the religion of His day
Jesus’ critique of Samaritan worship in John 4 reminds readers that He did not shy away from confronting religious error. Despite its common roots in the Torah, Samaritan religion in Jesus’ day included idolatry and legalism inherited from foreign nations.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus contested contemporary Jewish religious leaders, practices, and traditions that strayed from biblical truth and genuine worship. He was a radical reformer calling God’s people back to authentic faith grounded in Scripture.
Even though it was divisive and controversial, Jesus championed truth against error. He valued the worship of God in spirit and truth over against mere formalism and empty ritual (John 4:23-24). Fighting religious degeneracy was central to His mission.
12. Revelation and salvation are from the Jews
Jesus’ statement underscores that God chose to work out His redemptive plan in history through Abraham and his descendants. They became the receivers and stewards of divine revelation, including the Law, the covenants, and the promise of the Messiah (Romans 3:2, 9:4-5). Salvation is “from” the Jews in that the Savior arises from Israel.
Jesus is claiming that the Samaritan religion lacks the full truth about God given through the Jewish prophets and Scriptures. One can only know God in truth by coming to Him on His own terms, not a human substitute.
This principle remains – one must still come to faith in Jesus through the witness of “the Jews,” that is, Scripture and the gospel message proclaimed by his first followers (Romans 10:14-17). Saving knowledge of God comes only through Jesus Christ.
13. Jesus identifies Himself with Judaism
By affirming the worship of the Jews as true and authentic, Jesus is identifying Himself thoroughly with Judaism as its fulfillment. Jesus was born under the Law to redeem those under the Law (Galatians 4:4-5). His mission was first to Israel, and then the nations (Romans 1:16).
Though the Jews ultimately rejected Him, Jesus undeniably positioned Himself as the Savior sought after in their Scriptures. As Paul says, Christ is the “Yes” to all God’s promises to Israel (2 Corinthians 1:20). The Messiah’s salvation springs forth from the “well” of Israel.
14. True worship must be grounded in truth
A critical supporting truth underscoring this passage is that genuine worship of God cannot be detached from who He has revealed Himself to be. Worship must align with God’s self-disclosure and His requirements in Scripture. The Samaritan faith fell short.
The same principle applies today. Our praise, prayer, and devotion to God can unwittingly be directed to a “God” we have imagined who is comfortable with our priorities. We must worship the true God in spirit and in truth, based on His Word.
15. Jesus provokes deeper questions
Jesus’ bold statement about the deficiency of Samaritan worship prompted deeper dialogue with the woman at the well. She immediately questions Him further. This was also Jesus’ practice with the religious leaders – making intentionally provocative statements to surface underlying issues.
Similarly, we must ask probing questions to expose flaws in both our own hearts and those in false systems of belief. Shortcomings in our grasp of God should lead to humility, prayer, and openness to counsel. Jesus’ methods stir hungry seeking for truth.
In summary, this powerful statement by Jesus affirms the legitimacy of Jewish worship in contrast to Samaritan religion, underscores Jesus’ identity as Israel’s Messiah, elevates the centrality of truth in worship of God, and provokes deeper seeking after knowledge of the Father. We worship best when we worship the Father through the Son in Spirit and truth.