Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: John 4:23 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Joh 4:23 |
King James |
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
hour cometh, and now is--evidently meaning her to understand that this new economy was in some sense being set up while He was talking to her, a sense which would in a few minutes so far appear, when He told her plainly He was the Christ. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But the hour cometh, and now is - The old dispensation is about to pass away, and the new one to commence. "Already" there is so much light that God may be worshipped acceptably in any place.
The true worshippers - All who truly and sincerely worship God. They who do it with the heart, and not merely in form.
In spirit - The word "spirit," here, stands opposed to rites and ceremonies, and to the pomp of external worship. It refers to the "mind," the "soul," the "heart." They shall worship God with a sincere "mind;" with the simple offering of gratitude and prayer; with a desire to glorify him, and without external pomp and splendor. Spiritual worship is that where the heart is offered to God, and where we do not depend on external forms for acceptance.
In truth - Not through the medium of shadows and types, not by means of sacrifices and bloody offerings, but in the manner represented or typified by all these, Heb 9:9, Heb 9:24. In the true way of direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
For the Father seeketh ... - Jesus gives two reasons why this kind of worship should take place. One is that God sought it, or desired it. He had appointed the old mode, but he did it because he sought to lead the mind to himself even by those forms, and to prepare the people for the purer system of the gospel, and now he sought or desired that those who worshipped him should worship him in that manner. He intimated his will by Jesus Christ. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
spirit
That the Holy Spirit is meant is clear for (Joh 4:24). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
And now is
This could not be added in Joh 4:21, because local worship was not yet abolished; but it was true as regarded the true worship of the Father by His true worshippers, for Jesus was already surrounded by a little band of such, and more were soon to be added (Joh 4:39-42). Bengel says that the words and now is are added lest the woman should think that she must seek a dwelling in Judaea.
True (ἀληθινοὶ)
Real, genuine. See on Joh 1:9.
Worshippers (προσκυνηταὶ)
Only here in the New Testament.
In spirit and in truth (ἐν πνεύματι καὶ ἀηθείᾳ)
Spirit (πνεῦμα) is the highest, deepest, noblest part of our humanity, the point of contact between God and man (Rom 1:9); while soul (ψυχή) is the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions, having a side in contact with the material element of humanity as well as with the spiritual element, and being thus the mediating element between the spirit and the body. The phrase in spirit and in truth describes the two essential characteristics of true worship: in spirit, as distinguished from place or form or other sensual limitations (Joh 4:21); in truth, as distinguished from the false conceptions resulting from imperfect knowledge (Joh 4:22). True worship includes a spiritual sense of the object worshipped, and a spiritual communion with it; the manifestation of the moral consciousness in feelings, motions of the will, "moods of elevation, excitements," etc. It includes also a truthful conception of the object. In Jesus the Father is seen (Joh 14:9) and known (Luk 10:22). Thus the truthful conception is gained. He is the Truth (Joh 14:6). Likewise through Him we come to the Father, and spiritually commune with Him. No man can come in any other way (Joh 14:6). To worship in truth is not merely to worship in sincerity, but with a worship corresponding to the nature of its object.
For the father (καὶ γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ)
The A.V. fails to render καὶ also, and Rev. places it in the margin. It emphasizes the conclusiveness of the reason assigned: "for the Father also, on His part, seeketh," etc. For a similar use of καὶ, see on Mat 8:9; also see on Mat 26:73; see on Act 19:40.
Seeketh such to worship Him (τοιούτους ζητεῖ τοὺς προσκυνοῦντας αὐτὸν)
A rather peculiar construction. Literally, seeketh such as those worshipping him: as His worshippers. Such: i.e., those who worship in spirit and in truth, and are therefore real (ἀληθινοὶ) worshippers of the real God (ἀληθινὸν Θεὸν). |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
The true worshippers shall worship the Father - Not here or there only, but at all times and in all places. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The true worshippers shall worship - in spirit - The worship of the Samaritans was a defective worship - they did not receive the prophetical writings: that of the Jews was a carnal worship, dealing only in the letter, and referring to the spirit and design, which were at a distance, by types and ceremonies. The Gospel of Christ showed the meaning of all these carnal ordinances, and the legal sacrifices, which had all their consummation in his offering of himself: thus a spiritual dispensation took the place of the carnal one which prefigured it. The preaching of the Gospel discovered the true nature of God, of salvation, of the human soul, of earthly and of heavenly things; and, because of this, it is put in opposition to the defective Samaritan worship. |
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.