Jesus Ministers to the Unexpected

January 4

We expect that Jesus would minister to God’s covenant people, the Jews. However, we rarely think about Jesus’ ministry outside the Jewish household of faith. John 4 records Jesus’ outreach to both Samaritans and Gentiles. John shows the universal reach of the Gospel.

Jesus Ministers to a Samaritan Woman

John tells us that Jesus, “had to pass through Samaria” (John 4:3-4) on his way going from Jerusalem to Galilee. Looking at a map of the region, Sychar is directly between Jerusalem and Galilee. However, serious Jews would (literally) go out of their way to avoid Samaritans by traveling North from Jerusalem. Jews would cross to the East side of the Jordan River. Why?

Jews had a long history with the Samaritans. The Samaritans were considered half-breeds, unfaithful, and impure by the Jews because long ago, they intermarried with Gentiles. This attitude plays out in the story of the “Good Samaritan”, where a Jewish man’s life was saved by a generous Samaritan. (Luke 10:25–37)

John tells us that this Samaritan woman was drawing water at noon, the hottest time of the day. Most women drew water earlier in the day because of the cooler temperatures. John doesn’t tell us why the woman was drawing water at noon, but we can assume that she didn’t want to be with the other women of Sychar, perhaps because of her reputation of having been married and divorced five times, and currently living with a man she was not married to.

So, we find Jesus speaking to this outcast, a woman and a Samaritan, something people didn’t see every day! We don’t know how the woman knew Jesus was a Jew (John 4:9), perhaps something He was wearing(?). The two discussed the different worldviews of the Jews and Samaritans.

Jesus met her where she was. And in the conversation, Jesus confronts her about her sinful choices and behavior.

Jesus tells His disciples that the fields were ready for harvest. (John 4:35) In the context, we see that Jesus was referring to the work that God was doing among the Samaritans and stirring up a spiritual hunger. God worked in their hearts even before they heard Jesus speak. Some of the people believed because of what the woman said. Others believed because of what Jesus said.

Jesus Ministers to a Royal Official

John tells us in John 4:46–54 that Jesus then went to Cana (where He had turned water to wine in John 2). While there, a “Royal Official” came to Jesus, asking Him to heal his son. Although we aren’t told the religious affiliation of the man, I assume that this man is a Gentile because of John’s description of him as a Royal Official”. Perhaps he was a “Roman” Official, therefore a Gentile.

Application

Jesus reaches outside the expected Jewish people to meet sinners, outcasts. and the marginalized, where they are, but He doesn’t affirm in their sin.

Jesus didn’t tell the woman that she needed to become a Jew to follow Him. However, she realized that she needed to change because of her encounter with Jesus. As did the other Samaritans, who approached Jesus after hearing the woman tell about her encounter with the Messiah.

John doesn’t tell us why Jesus and His disciples spent two days in Samaria. Perhaps they were laying the groundwork for the Holy Spirit’s work in Acts 8:14–17.

© Copyright 2026 Craig Beaman