Here's a wood block print, just over nine by six inches in size, from Lucas Cranach the Elder, one of the artists of the Lutheran Reformation. The print is undated, but Cranach's career was most active in the early 1500s until his death in 1533. The print is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The scene is inspired by John chapter four, when Jesus visits with the Samaritan woman at the well. Notice that Cranach has the city in Samaria look remarkably like a German city from his time period, and the well also fits his time and setting. In the Scriptural text, the woman observes that Jesus doesn't have a way of drawing water, yet the scene shows the bucket that goes with the well and the pitcher that came with the woman.
The woman is clearly a little startled and possibly uneasy that a Jewish man is talking with her. Jesus, on the other hand, appears completely at ease, even leaning on the wall with his feet crossed.
Jesus is presented in John chapter four as the one who gives those who believe on him wells of running water, springing up out of themselves.
The woman is clearly a little startled and possibly uneasy that a Jewish man is talking with her. Jesus, on the other hand, appears completely at ease, even leaning on the wall with his feet crossed.
Jesus is presented in John chapter four as the one who gives those who believe on him wells of running water, springing up out of themselves.
John 04 Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 4. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. At the start of chapter four, Jesus' disciples go away, leaving him sitting at a well. His discussion with a Samaritan woman is surprising on several levels. Why? What does the fact that he discusses these things with her tell about our attitudes toward people of different cultures and social standings?
2. If you found yourself speaking with someone who seemed to be a prophet from God, what kind of questions would you want to ask?
3. Why is it important that Jesus says the Jews know who they worship but the Samaritans don't?
4. What would Jesus be able to convince you of if he spent two days teaching in your town?
5. When Jesus visits with the Jewish official in verses 46-50, what can we tell about the urgency and about Jesus' attitude toward healing?
6. Why is it significant that the servants who meet the official tell him the boy recovered "yesterday"? What do we learn about the official, his servants, and Jesus?
7. What impact did the healing of the son have on the other members of the official's household? Why would that be?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 4. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. At the start of chapter four, Jesus' disciples go away, leaving him sitting at a well. His discussion with a Samaritan woman is surprising on several levels. Why? What does the fact that he discusses these things with her tell about our attitudes toward people of different cultures and social standings?
2. If you found yourself speaking with someone who seemed to be a prophet from God, what kind of questions would you want to ask?
3. Why is it important that Jesus says the Jews know who they worship but the Samaritans don't?
4. What would Jesus be able to convince you of if he spent two days teaching in your town?
5. When Jesus visits with the Jewish official in verses 46-50, what can we tell about the urgency and about Jesus' attitude toward healing?
6. Why is it significant that the servants who meet the official tell him the boy recovered "yesterday"? What do we learn about the official, his servants, and Jesus?
7. What impact did the healing of the son have on the other members of the official's household? Why would that be?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
RSS Feed