Chapter 3 is perhaps the most important chapter
in the entire Bible, for it deals with the new birth.
The necessity of a person being born-again is
explained so directly in verses 1-7. Then, perhaps,
the greatest verse in the Bible, verse 16, tells us,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The setting for our reading in chapter 4 is in
the beautiful area of Samaria, the city of Sychar. In
that city there was a well that provided water for the
people. In order for us to understand the full meaning
of these verses we must know the background between
the Samaritans and the Jewish people. They would have
nothing to do with each other. The Jews considered the
Samaritans lesser people than they. That is why the
Samaritan woman was astonished when Jesus asked her
for a drink.
This woman had had five husbands and was now
living with a man who was not her husband. We should
note the compassion and understanding shown by the
Saviour for this sinful woman. The disciples marvelled
that Jesus spoke to her. Yet He loved her with a love
beyond human understanding; he forgave her of all her
sins. What happened? She began to tell everyone of the
change in her life, and of the man who had forgiven
her sins. Many were saved because of her testimony.