Bible story · John 4:1–45
The Woman at the Well
Jesus is tired and stops at a well in Samaria. A woman comes to get water, and they talk.
- Jesus
- a Jewish teacher (Rabbi)
- The woman
- from Samaria
- Disciples
- Jesus’s students
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John 4:1–6Jesus travels from Judea to Galilee. In Samaria, he stops at Jacob’s near the town of Sychar. He is . It is about the sixth hour (12 noon).
Read John 4:1–6 in
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John 4:7–9A woman from Samaria comes to get water. The disciples are in town buying food. (Jews and Samaritans did not get along.)
Jesus v. 7 “Give me a drink.”
Woman v. 9 “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?”
Read John 4:7–9 in
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John 4:10–12Jesus tells her about a gift from God. The woman does not understand.
Jesus v. 10 “If you knew the gift of God … he would have given you .”
Woman v. 11 “, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep.”
Read John 4:10–12 in
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John 4:13–15Jesus says people who drink well water will be again. His water is different.
Jesus v. 14 “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be again.”
Woman v. 15 “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be …”
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John 4:16–19Jesus says, “Go, call your husband.” She says, “I have no husband.” Jesus knows about her life.
Jesus v. 18 “You have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband.”
Woman v. 19 “Sir, I that you are a .”
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John 4:20–24The woman asks a question: Where is the right place to God?
Woman v. 20 “Our fathers on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place …”
Jesus v. 24 “God is spirit, and those who him must in spirit and truth.”
Read John 4:20–24 in
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John 4:25–26The woman says she is waiting for the . Jesus gives a surprising answer.
Woman v. 25 “I know that is coming (he who is called ).”
Jesus v. 26 “I who speak to you am he.”
Read John 4:25–26 in
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John 4:27–30The disciples come back. They are surprised. The woman leaves her water and runs into town.
Woman v. 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
Read John 4:27–30 in
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John 4:31–38The disciples say, “, eat.” Jesus says, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me.” People from the town are coming.
Jesus v. 35 “Lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for .”
Read John 4:31–38 in
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John 4:39–45Many Samaritans believe because of the woman’s words. Jesus stays two days, then goes on to Galilee.
People from the town v. 42 “… We have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the of the world.”
Read John 4:39–45 in
Talk about it
Check your understanding
- Where did Jesus sit? Why did he sit down? (v. 6)
- What did Jesus ask the woman for? Why was she surprised? (v. 7–9)
- What did the woman leave at the well? Where did she go? (v. 28)
- Why did many people from the town believe? (v. 39–42)
Talk together
Share about your own life. There are no wrong answers.
- Jews and Samaritans did not talk together. Are there groups in your home country that do not talk together? Why?
- Water is important in this story. How did people get water where you grew up?
- The woman was surprised that Jesus talked to her. Has a stranger ever surprised you? What happened?
- The woman ran to tell her town. When you have big news, who do you tell first?
Word practice
A. Key words
Choose the meaning of each word.
B. Fill in the bubble
Choose a word from the box.
drinkhusbandharvestChristeatprophetdeepthirstyspiritworld
“Give me a .”
“Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is .”
“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be again.”
“Go, call your , and come here.”
“Sir, I perceive that you are a .”
“God is , and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the ?”
“Rabbi, .”
“Lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for .”
“… We know that this is indeed the Savior of the .”
Retell the story
Look at the pictures. Tell the story to a partner in your own words. Then write one sentence for each picture.
Words to help you
Order words: First, … · Next, … · Then … · After that, … · Finally, …
People: Jesus · the woman · the disciples · the people from the town
Places: Jacob’s well · Samaria · the town (Sychar) · Galilee
Action words: was tired · came · asked · was surprised · left · ran · told · believed · stayed
Finish the sentences
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