John 4:5-8 - Will you give me a drink?

4:5,6

Sychar is near Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, and according to tradition Jacob’s well is about half a mile south of the modern village. In Gen 48:22 is the reference where Jacob gave the land to Joseph. Joseph’s tomb is near there as well.

Jesus arrived at Jacob’s well at about noon (the sixth hour). This would be a time when the heat of the day was intense, and Jesus would be thirsty. “Jesus was wearied from the journey”, here we see the humanity of Jesus.

4:7,8

A Samaritan woman came to draw water. It seems that she came alone, whereas women usually came in groups. She had also chosen a time of day when it was likely to be quiet. She may have done this because her past meant she was something of an outcast. Jesus asked the woman to give Him a drink. Verse 8 explains that the disciples had gone into the city to buy food, otherwise they would have drawn water for Him. One might be tempted to think that Jesus should have drawn water for Himself instead of expecting someone else to do it, but that would be imposing our social norms on a very different society (something we are very prone to do). Moreover, there was purpose in Jesus speaking to the woman, He was going to open her eyes to the truth of the gospel and of who He was.