The whole section is peculiar to S. John, and is evidently the narrative of an eyewitness: of the Synoptists S. Luke alone, the writer of ‘the Universal Gospel,’ mentions any intercourse of Christ with Samaritans (Luk 9:52, Luk 17:16; comp. Luk 10:33). Joh 4:1-4 are introductory, explaining the change of scene, like Joh 2:13 in the previous section.