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Read the Bible

New Living Translation

John 4:22

You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Blindness;   Jacob;   Jesus, the Christ;   Law;   Salvation;   Samaria;   Shechem;   Scofield Reference Index - Bible Prayers;   Thompson Chain Reference - Samaritans;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Jews, the;   Prayer;   Samaria, Modern;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Shechem;   Wells and Springs;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - John, gospel of;   Temple;   Women;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Building;   Jesus Christ;   Sexuality, Human;   Woman;   Zechariah, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Commentary;   Patience;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Samaritans;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Gospels;   Jesus Christ;   Leviticus;   Malachi;   Paul;   Samaria;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Hour;   Jesus, Life and Ministry of;   Jews in the New Testament;   John, the Gospel of;   Knowledge;   Marriage;   Temple of Jerusalem;   Woman;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Christianity;   Messiah;   Mss;   Prayer;   Samaritans;   Woman;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Curse;   Discourse;   Elect, Election ;   Example;   Gerizim;   Ignorance (2);   Individuality;   Jews;   John (the Apostle);   Law (2);   Lord's Supper. (I.);   Nationality;   Old Testament (I. Christ as Fulfilment of);   Palestine;   Prayer (2);   Quotations (2);   Religious Experience;   Salvation;   Salvation Save Saviour;   Tithe;   Toleration, Tolerance;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Samaritans;   13 To Worship, Serve;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Mount samaria;   Samaria;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Jew;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ja'cob's Well,;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Rock;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Amos (1);   Holiness;   Revelation;   Salvation;   Semites;   Stephen;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.
King James Version (1611)
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for saluation is of the Iewes.
King James Version
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
English Standard Version
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
New American Standard Bible
"You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.
New Century Version
You Samaritans worship something you don't understand. We understand what we worship, because salvation comes from the Jews.
Amplified Bible
"You [Samaritans] do not know what you worship; we [Jews] do know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Legacy Standard Bible
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Berean Standard Bible
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Contemporary English Version
You Samaritans don't really know the one you worship. But we Jews do know the God we worship, and by using us, God will save the world.
Complete Jewish Bible
You people don't know what you are worshipping; we worship what we do know, because salvation comes from the Jews.
Darby Translation
Ye worship ye know not what; we worship what we know, for salvation is of the Jews.
Easy-to-Read Version
You Samaritans worship something you don't understand. We Jews understand what we worship, since salvation comes from the Jews.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Ye worship that which ye knowe not: we worship that which we knowe: for saluation is of the Iewes.
George Lamsa Translation
You worship what you do not know; but we worship what we do know; for salvation is from the Jews.
Good News Translation
You Samaritans do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews that salvation comes.
Lexham English Bible
You worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, because salvation is from the Jews.
Literal Translation
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is of the Jews.
American Standard Version
Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.
Bible in Basic English
You give worship, but without knowledge of what you are worshipping: we give worship to what we have knowledge of: for salvation comes from the Jews.
Hebrew Names Version
You worship that which you don't know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Yehudim.
International Standard Version
You don't know what you're worshiping. We know what we're worshiping, for salvation comes from the Jews.2 Kings 17:29; Isaiah 2:3; Luke 24:47; Romans 9:4-5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
you worship something you know not; but we worship whom we know; for salvation [fn] is from the Jihudoyee.
Murdock Translation
Ye worship, ye know not what; but we worship what we know; for life is from the Jews.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ye worshippe ye wote not what. We knowe what we worshippe: For saluation commeth of the Iewes.
English Revised Version
Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is from the Jews.
World English Bible
You worship that which you don't know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Ye worship ye know not what; we know what we worship; for salvation is from the Jews.
Weymouth's New Testament
You worship One of whom you know nothing. We worship One whom we know; for salvation comes from the Jews.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Ye worschipen that ye knowen not; we worschipen that that we knowen; for helthe is of the Jewis.
Update Bible Version
You worship that which you don't know: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.
Webster's Bible Translation
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews.
New English Translation
You people worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, because salvation is from the Jews.
New King James Version
You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
New Life Bible
You people do not know what you worship. We Jews know what we worship. It is through the Jews that men are saved from the punishment of their sins.
New Revised Standard
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Ye, worship, that which ye know not; We, worship, that which we know; because, salvation, is, of the Jews.
Douay-Rheims Bible
You adore that which you know not: we adore that which we know. For salvation is of the Jews.
Revised Standard Version
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Ye worshippe ye wot not what: we knowe what we worshippe. For salvacion cometh of the Iewes.
Young's Literal Translation
ye worship what ye have not known; we worship what we have known, because the salvation is of the Jews;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Ye wote not what ye worshippe, but we knowe what ye worshippe, for Saluacion commeth of the Iewes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is from the Jews.
Simplified Cowboy Version
You Samaritans don't know who you are worshiping. Y'all wander around like cowboys trying to gather black cattle at night, but the Jews have the light of day to gather by. God's outfit and eternal life comes from the light of day that the Jews have.

Contextual Overview

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" 10 Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." 11 "But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?" 13 Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

ye know: 2 Kings 17:27-29, 2 Kings 17:41, Ezra 4:2, Acts 17:23, Acts 17:30

we worship: 2 Chronicles 13:10-12, Psalms 147:19, Romans 3:2, Romans 9:5

for: Genesis 49:10, Psalms 68:20, Isaiah 2:3, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 12:6, Isaiah 46:13, Zephaniah 3:16, Zephaniah 3:17, Zechariah 9:9, Luke 24:47, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:5, Hebrews 7:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:2 - my salvation Ezra 4:3 - Ye have nothing Psalms 45:11 - worship Psalms 85:4 - O God Isaiah 45:15 - O God Jeremiah 3:23 - in the Lord Ezekiel 23:4 - Aholah Joel 2:32 - for Jonah 2:9 - Salvation Matthew 10:5 - of the Samaritans Luke 17:16 - and he Acts 13:46 - It was Acts 17:24 - dwelleth Ephesians 2:12 - having 1 Peter 2:5 - spiritual Revelation 7:10 - Salvation Revelation 19:10 - worship Revelation 22:9 - worship God

Cross-References

Exodus 25:3
Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze;
Numbers 31:22
Anything made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead—
Deuteronomy 8:9
It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills.
Deuteronomy 33:25
May the bolts of your gates be of iron and bronze; may you be secure all your days."
2 Chronicles 2:7
"So send me a master craftsman who can work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as with purple, scarlet, and blue cloth. He must be a skilled engraver who can work with the craftsmen of Judah and Jerusalem who were selected by my father, David.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Ye worship ye know not what,.... However, as to her question, he more directly replies by condemning the Samaritans, and their ignorance in worship, and by approving the Jews; and so manifestly gives the preference to the Jews, not only with respect to the place, and object of worship, but with respect to knowledge and salvation. As for the Samaritans, he suggests, that they were ignorant, not only of the true object of worship, but knew not what they themselves worshipped; or, at least, were not agreed in it. The original inhabitants of those parts, from whence these Samaritans sprung, were idolatrous Heathens, placed by the king of Assyria in the room of the ten tribes he carried away captive; and these feared not the Lord, for they "knew not the manner of the God of the land": wherefore lions were sent among them which slew many of them; upon which the king of Assyria ordered a priest to be sent to instruct them: but notwithstanding this, they had everyone gods of their own, some one, and some another; and so served divers graven images, they and their children, and their children's children, to the time of the writer of the Book of Kings; see 2 Kings 17:24. And though after Manasseh, and other Jews were come among them, and they had received the law of Moses, they might have some knowledge of the true God, yet they glorified him not as God; and though they might in words profess him, yet in works they denied him; and even after this they are very highly charged by the Jews with idolatrous practices on this mount. Sometimes they say g the Cuthites, or Samaritans, worshipped fire; and at other times, and which chiefly prevails with them, they assert h, that their wise men, upon searching, found that they worshipped the image of a dove on Mount Gerizim; and sometimes they say i, they worshipped the idols, the strange gods, or Teraphim, which Jacob hid under the oak in Sichem; which last, if true, may serve to illustrate these words of Christ, that they worshipped they knew not what, since they worshipped idols hid in the mount.

"R. Ishmael bar Jose, they say k went to Neapolis, (Sichem, called Naplous,) the Cuthites, or Samaritans came to him (to persuade him to worship with them in their mountain); he said unto them, I will show you that ye do not "worship at this mountain", but "the images which are hid under it"; for it is written, Genesis 35:4; "and Jacob hid them" under the oak which was by Shechem.''

And elsewhere l it is reported of the same Rabbi, that he went to Jerusalem to pray, as before related on John 4:20, and after what passed between him, and the Samaritan he met with at Mount Gerizim, before mentioned, he added;

"and said to him, I will tell you what ye are like, (ye are like) to a dog that lusts after carrion; so because ye know the idols are hid under it, (the mountain,) as it is written, Genesis 35:4 and Jacob hid them, therefore ye lust after it: they said--this man knows that idols are hid here, and perhaps he will take them away; and they consulted together to kill him: he arose, and made his escape in the night.''

But this was not the case of the Jews:

we know what we worship; Christ puts himself among them, for he was a Jew, as the woman took him to be; and, as man, was a worshipper of God; he feared, loved, and obeyed God; he trusted in him, and prayed unto him; though, as God, he was the object of worship himself: and the true worshippers among the Jews, of which sort Christ was, knew God, whom they worshipped, spiritually and savingly; and the generality of that people had right notions of the God of Israel, having the oracles, and service of God, and being instructed out of Moses, and the prophets:

for salvation is of the Jews; the promises of salvation, and of a Saviour, were made to them, when the Gentiles were strangers to them; the means of salvation, and of the knowledge of it, as the word, statutes, and ordinances, were enjoyed by them, when others were ignorant of them; and the Messiah, who is sometimes styled "Salvation", see Genesis 49:18, was not only prophesied of in their books, and promised unto them, but came of them, as well as to them; and the number of the saved ones had been for many hundreds of years, and still was among them; the line of election ran among them, and few among the Gentiles were called and saved, as yet.

g T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 5. 2. h Maimon. in Misn. Beracot, c. 8. sect. 8. & Bartenora in ib. c. 7. sect. 1. & in Nidda, c. 4. sect. 1. i Shalshelet Hakkabala, fol. 15. 2. k T. Hieros. Avoda Zara, fol. 44. 4. l Bereshit Rabba, sect. 81. fol. 71. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ye worship ye know not what - This probably refers to the comparative ignorance and corruption of the Samaritan worship. Though they received the five books of Moses, yet they rejected the prophets, and of course all that the prophets had said respecting the true God. Originally, also, they had joined the worship of idols to that of the true God. See 2 Kings 17:26-34. They had, moreover, no authority for building their temple and conducting public worship by sacrifices there. On all these accounts they were acting in an unauthorized manner. They were not obeying the true God, nor offering the worship which he had commanded or would approve. Thus, Jesus indirectly settled the question which she had proposed to him, yet in such a way as to show her that it was of much less importance than she had supposed.

We know - We Jews. This they knew because God had commanded it; because they worshipped in a place appointed by God, and because they did it in accordance with the direction and teaching of the prophets.

Salvation is of the Jews - They have the true religion and the true form of worship; and the Messiah, who will bring salvation, is to proceed from them. See Luke 2:30; Luke 3:6. Jesus thus affirms that the Jews had the true form of the worship of God. At the same time he was sensible how much they had corrupted it, and on various occasions reproved them for it.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 22. Ye worship ye know not what — The Samaritans believed in the same God with the Jews; but, as they rejected all the prophetical writings, they had but an imperfect knowledge of the Deity: besides, as they incorporated the worship of idols with his worship, they might be justly said to worship him whom they did not properly know. See the account of their motley worship, 2 Kings 17:26-34. But after Sanballat had built the temple on Mount Gerizim, the idolatrous worship of the Cutheans and Sepharvites, c., was entirely laid aside the same religious service being performed in the Samaritan temple which was performed in that at Jerusalem.

We know what we worship — We Jews acknowledge all the attributes of his nature, and offer to him only the sacrifices prescribed in the law.

Salvation is of the Jews. — Εκ των Ιουδαιων εστιν, Salvation is from the Jews. Salvation seems here to mean the Saviour, the Messiah, as it does Luke 2:30; Acts 4:12: and so the woman appears to have understood it, John 4:25. The Messiah was to spring from the Jews-from them, the preaching of the Gospel, and the knowledge of the truth, were to go to all the nations of the world. It was to the Jews that the promises were made; and it was in their prophetic Scriptures, which the Samaritans rejected, that Jesus Christ was proclaimed and described. See Isaiah 11:3.


 
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