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John 4:12

John 4:12
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

My Notes

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Baptist theologian, 1697–1771

Gill's Exposition

Art thou greater than our father Jacob,.... A person of greater worth and character than he, who was content to drink of this water; or wiser and more knowing than he, who could find out no better…

Presbyterian pastor, 1798–1870

Barnes' Notes

Art thou greater? - Art thou wiser, or better able to find water, than Jacob was? It seems that she supposed that he meant that he could direct her to some living spring, or to some better well in…

Methodist theologian, 1762–1832

Adam Clarke

Our father Jacob - The ancient Samaritans were undoubtedly the descendants of Jacob; for they were the ten tribes that revolted in the reign of Rehoboam: but those in our Lord's time were not genuine…

Nonconformist minister, 1662–1714

Matthew Henry

John 4:4-26

We have here an account of the good Christ did in Samaria, when he passed through that country in his way to Galilee. The Samaritans, both in blood and religion, were mongrel Jews, the posterity of…

Academic commentary, 1882–1921

Cambridge Bible

Art thou greater -Thou" is very emphatic; Surely Thou art not greater. Comp. Joh 8:53. The loquacity of the woman as contrasted with the sententiousness of Nicodemus is very natural, while on the…

Cross References

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