The author tries to provide an exegesis of John 4:1-42 by using the exegetical framework. The investigation will cover textual criticism, demarcation of the text, the social-historical setting of the place of the micro text within its macro structure and detailed analysis verse by verse which will incorporate some important insights.
II. Demarcation of the Text and comments concerning the Structure:
We need to divide the text into smaller unities in order to obtain some significant insights from Jesus’ encounter with Samaritan woman.
First; John 4:1-6 consider as an introductory. The verses from1-6 can be divided into two sub-units. Verses from 1-3 is considered as a transition from the previous chapter (3:22-30). The reason is the previous chapter concludes with the baptismal ministry of John the Baptist. At the same time the previous chapter brings forth the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist testifies and says; “He must increase and I must decrease” …show more content…
That is the mutual request for water between Jesus and the woman (a, a1) which envelops the chiasm division among Jews and Samaritans and the unity among those who drink water from Jesus (b, b1). In chiasm 2, two important titles are attributed to Jesus that are Prophet and Messiah (a, a1) which envelops two conflicting worship that is to worship on the mountain and to worship in spirit and truth. The focus of worship is knowledge of object. The chiasm 3 deals with food. The chiasm is enveloped by the harvest of the woman who gets people for Jesus and the parable of harvest (a, a1). The disciples concern for food exposes their inner disposition (b, b1). The chiasm 4 focuses on confession of the Samaritans that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. In this chiasm there are two times references of two days (b,b1) which envelopes by the belief of Samaritans (4:39) and the welcome to Jesus by the Galileans