In the Gospel according to John, the events that took place in the life of Jesus re-read are used to compose dense pages of theology. Although John narrates certain events, giving details of where it happened, who were the people involved and how the story developed and what was the outcome, the purpose of such narrations were to explain a far deeper theology. The case of the Samaritan woman is an example, which is rich in symbolism. The meeting between Jesus and a Samaritan woman is explained with language, images, and biblical references to convey a theological message.
In ancient times, the well was the place where people came together – the shepherds met to water their flocks; traders stopped there for customers and even lovers went to the well to look for their companions.
Jesus is in a Samaritan Town on his way to Galilee. He sits by the well of Jacob. And a woman comes to draw water from the well. The evangelist presents her with no name, and nothing more is said about her except that she is a “Samaritan.” The well in the Bible is often the meeting place between lovers who then end up getting married. The Old Testament often speaks of the people of Israel as the bride to whom the Lord is tied with an unfailing affection.
But Israel failed to be faithful to the Lord. She betrayed her Husband and often went after pagan gods of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and even Romans. Would God, the Husband divorce his bride, Israel? Will he punish her? Not at all. His only goal is to reclaim her. From a geographical point of view, Jesus did not have to pass through Samaria to go to Galilee from Jordan. But the groom — God — takes this longer route because wants to meet his beloved.
The Samaritan woman is the image of the bride Israel. Samaritans had abandoned their faith and the Jews regarded them as pagans. That is why Jesus tells her that she had many gods- “husbands”, and the present one is not her husband either. Because, her true husband is now talking to her at the well.
The last part of the gospel (vv. 28-41) presents the spiritual journey of the Samaritan woman and every disciple. After meeting Christ she abandons her bucket at the well, because she had no more use for it, because she had found another water. She ran to announce her discovery and happiness to the others. It is the call to become missionaries, apostles, and catechists, to tell everyone the joy and peace experienced by one who meets the Lord and drinks his water.
Father Josekutty Mathew CMF
