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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 4:20 - 4:20
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In this mountain (en tōi orei toutōi). Jacob’s Well is at the foot of Mount Gerizim toward which she pointed. Sanballat erected a temple on this mountain which was destroyed by John Hyrcanus b.c. 129. Abraham (Gen 12:7) and Jacob (Gen 33:20) set up altars at Shechem. On Gerizim were proclaimed the blessings recorded in Deut 28. The Samaritan Pentateuch records an altar set up on Gerizim that is on Ebal (over 200 feet higher than Gerizim) in the Hebrew (Deu 27:4). The Samaritans held that Abraham offered up Isaac on Gerizim. The Samaritans kept up this worship on this mountain and a handful do it still.
And ye say (kai humeis legete). Emphasis on humeis (ye). Ye Jews.
Ought to worship (proskunein dei). “Must worship,” as of necessity (dei). The woman felt that by raising this theological wrangle she would turn the attention of Jesus away from herself and perhaps get some light on the famous controversy. Proskuneō in John is always worship, not just respect.