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The city of Sychar

Text: John 4:1-45

THE CITY OF SYCHAR

Traditions ran deep and strong among both the Jews and the Samaritans. When traditions have become well established, they become very hard to change. The well of Sychar had deep historical roots.

The well was situated in the vicinity of a parcel of land that the Patriarch Jacob had especially given to Joseph. John added this historical note,

“So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar,
near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Now Jacob’s well was there.”
John 4:5-6

Let us look at a passage in the Book of Genesis that confirmed what John wrote.

“Then Israel said to Joseph, saying,
‘Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you,
and bring you back to the land of your fathers.
Moreover I have given to you one portion
Above your brothers, which I took from
The hand of the Amorite with my sword and bow.”
Genesis 48:21-22

What was John seeking to do when he made these notations? At least two things could be in John’s mind.

1. He was giving background information to those who may not be familiar with this famous Well of Jacob.

2. He was also probably trying to show that the Samaritans and the Jews shared a common heritage. Thus Jesus was most justified in ministering to the Samaritans, even though recent history frowned on any relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans.

UNDER THE HOT NOON SUN

Jesus had left Judea after a short but successful ministry there. The usual means of transportation in those days would be by foot. Jesus chose walking because that meant He was able to minister to all who came to Him. One never knew who might just draw close to ask for help.

However, choosing to walk also meant that Jesus would become weary and tired. We must always remember that when He dwelt among men in the flesh, He was also subject to all the problems associated with the frailty of human flesh.

“For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted (tested) as we are,
yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15

John tenderly noted the weariness of Jesus after the long journey from Judea to this Samaritan city of Sychar.

“Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey,
sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.”
John 4:6

Jesus was all alone as He sat by the well of Jacob, for a much needed respite. It was about the sixth hour, and that made it about noon-time. The disciples had gone to the city of Sychar to purchase things. The strict Jews were allowed to buy things from the Samaritans. Eggs could be bought, because shells encased them. The touch of the Samaritans would not affect the eggs for the shells would be broken and discarded. Those who were not so fastidious about the food laws could but whatever they wanted, provided of course that they kept their relationships strictly business-like and formal.

HOW DID JESUS MINISTER TO PEOPLE?

The ministry of Jesus to the woman of Samaria was of great importance, as far as John was concerned. Thus he carefully included many details. We are reminded of how Jesus took time to talk to Nicodemus at great length. We now note again how Jesus must have ministered to people in general. He did not merely preach a formal message about the Kingdom of God. He took time to explain to people, including this Samaritan woman, about how a person may find eternal life.

INITIATING A CONVERSATION

Whereas Nicodemus took the initiative to seek Jesus out, and to speak to Him in some length, in the case of the woman of Samaria, it was the Master who made the first move. It would be unlikely for the Samaritan woman to take the initiative.

Firstly, she was a Samaritan. Secondly, she was a woman. Thirdly, one reason why she came to the well of Jacob at the noon hour was because she had a bad reputation that she would rather hide from strangers!

Jesus understood all that and thus He initiated a conversation with the Samaritan woman.

“A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’
For His disciples had gone away into the city
To buy food.”
John 4:7-8

Jesus had come all the way from Judea, and He had stopped at this particular well, at this special noon hour, where He knew the Samaritan woman would come to draw water. Was this merely a coincidental meeting? Or was this something ordained of God, where this woman of Samaria would have an opportunity to speak to none other than the Son of God Himself? It might have seemed coincidental then, but not on hindsight!