1 Gr. spring: and so in ver. 14; but not in ver. 11, 12.
2 Or, as he was.
3 Some ancient authorities omit For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
4 Or, Lord.
5 Or, for such the Father also seeketh.
6 Or, God is spirit.
7 Or, white unto harvest. Already he that reapeth &c.
a Notice that John also had recently been preaching to Samaritans ([§ 33]) and compare hereafter Philip's work in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5 ff.)
b In this early ministry Jesus allowed himself to be regarded as the Messiah by his first disciples ([§ 28]), and personally declared that he was the Messiah to the woman at the well ([§ 35]) (John 4:26), which many other Samaritans also personally believed (John 4:39, 42). He never declared this to the Jewish rulers at Jerusalem till the very end ([§ 155]), doubtless because such an avowal would lead them to kill him, and so must not be made till his work in teaching the people and training his disciples should be completed. Compare what he says later to Peter in Matt. 16:17-20 ([§ 82]). At the baptism and the temptation of Jesus it was clear that Jesus knew that he was the Son of God, the Messiah, and was so regarded by the Baptist. Events in Judea and Galilee change the early policy of Jesus and lead to silence on his part in the use of the word Messiah, though many of the people know that he makes Messianic claims and the rulers in Jerusalem come to suspect him and to fear him. See my volume on The Pharisees and Jesus.