The story of the Samaritan woman, often called the “Woman at the Well,” is found in John 4:1–42. This encounter between Jesus and a woman from Samaria reveals deep spiritual truths, cultural tensions, and the power of personal testimony. Let’s look at ten interesting facts about this woman and her life-changing meeting with Jesus.
1. She Was a Samaritan — a Group Despised by Jews
Jews and Samaritans had long-standing hostility. The Jews viewed Samaritans as religiously impure because they had intermarried with Gentiles and created their own form of worship.
John 4:9 – “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.”
2. Jesus Spoke Directly to Her, Breaking Social Norms
In that culture, men didn’t usually speak to women in public—especially not alone, and definitely not to a Samaritan woman. But Jesus did.
John 4:27 – “...they marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?”
3. She Came to the Well at Noon
Most women drew water in the cool morning or evening. But she came at noon, likely to avoid others—suggesting she was an outcast due to her lifestyle.
John 4:6 – “Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.”
4. She Had Been Married Five Times
Jesus revealed that she had five previous husbands and was now living with a man who was not her husband.
John 4:17-18 – “...Jesus saith unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.”
5. She Recognized Jesus as a Prophet
After Jesus exposed her past, she realized that He had supernatural knowledge.
John 4:19 – “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.”
6. She Asked About Worship
She brought up the long-standing religious debate: Should worship happen in Jerusalem or on Mount Gerizim?
John 4:20 – “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
7. Jesus Revealed He Is the Messiah to Her
Jesus openly told her He was the Messiah. This is one of the few times He declared this directly, and it was to a Samaritan woman.
John 4:26 – “Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”
8. She Left Her Waterpot to Tell Others
After meeting Jesus, she left behind what she came for—her water—and ran to tell her town.
John 4:28-29 – “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”
9. She Became One of the First Evangelists
Her testimony led many Samaritans to believe in Jesus.
John 4:39 – “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”
10. Jesus Stayed Two Days in Her Town
Because of her witness, Jesus stayed and taught in her town of Sychar. This is significant, considering Jews usually avoided Samaria altogether.
John 4:40-41 – “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word.”
Summary Table
| Fact | Key Verse | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|---|
| She was a Samaritan | John 4:9 | Shows the cultural divide Jesus crossed |
| Jesus spoke to her | John 4:27 | Demonstrates grace beyond norms |
| Came at noon | John 4:6 | Suggests social isolation |
| Five husbands | John 4:17-18 | Shows Jesus knew her heart |
| Recognized Him as prophet | John 4:19 | First step toward belief |
| Asked about worship | John 4:20 | Opens theological discussion |
| Jesus revealed His identity | John 4:26 | One of few direct declarations |
| Left waterpot | John 4:28 | Sign of transformation |
| Evangelized her town | John 4:39 | Her testimony had impact |
| Jesus stayed in Samaria | John 4:40 | Resulted in widespread belief |
