John 4:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Complete Jewish Bible:

“Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you people say that the place where one has to worship is in Yerushalayim.”

Berean Standard Bible:

Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.”

American Standard Version:

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Our^{G2257} fathers^{G3962} worshipped^{G4352} in^{G1722} this^{G5129} mountain^{G3735}; and^{G2532} ye^{G5210} say^{G3004}, that^{G3754} in^{G1722} Jerusalem^{G2414} is^{G2076} the place^{G5117} where^{G3699} men ought^{G1163} to worship^{G4352}.

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Commentary for John 4:20

John 4:20 is part of the narrative of Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. This verse reflects a historical and theological dispute between the Samaritans and the Jews regarding the proper place of worship. The Samaritans, who were a mixed race people with Jewish and pagan ancestry, worshipped at Mount Gerizim, which they considered the sacred site chosen by God, as mentioned in their version of the Pentateuch. In contrast, the Jews worshipped at the Temple in Jerusalem, which they believed to be the center of true worship as ordained by the Torah.

In this verse, the Samaritan woman is acknowledging the traditional worship practices of her ancestors on Mount Gerizim, while also recognizing the Jewish claim that Jerusalem is the divinely sanctioned place of worship. Jesus' subsequent response in the following verses (John 4:21-24) transcends this geographical dispute, emphasizing that true worship is not about locations—whether Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem—but is spiritual in nature and must be done "in spirit and truth."

This conversation is set during the life of Jesus, around the first century AD, a time when the Second Temple still stood in Jerusalem and religious practices were deeply connected to specific locations. Jesus' teaching here is revolutionary, as it shifts the focus from external religious observance to an internal relationship with God, prefiguring the Christian understanding of worship that is not confined to any one holy site. The themes of this verse include the tension between different religious groups, the centrality of worship in religious life, and the transformative message of Jesus regarding the essence of true worship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2257
   There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμῶν
   Transliteration: hēmōn
   Pronunciation: hay-mone'
   Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3962
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πατήρ
   Transliteration: patḗr
   Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4352
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προσκυνέω
   Transliteration: proskynéō
   Pronunciation: pros-koo-neh'-o
   Description: from πρός and a probable derivative of κύων (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore):--worship.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5129
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τούτῳ
   Transliteration: toútōi
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: dative case singular masculine or neuter of οὗτος; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):--here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3735
   There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὄρος
   Transliteration: óros
   Pronunciation: or'-os
   Description: probably from an obsolete (to rise or "rear"; perhaps akin to αἴρω; compare ὄρνις); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain):--hill, mount(-ain).
   
7. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5210
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμεῖς
   Transliteration: hymeîs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
   Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2414
    There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἱεροσόλυμα
    Transliteration: Hierosólyma
    Pronunciation: hee-er-os-ol'-oo-mah
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם); Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare Ἱερουσαλήμ.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5117
    There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τόπος
    Transliteration: tópos
    Pronunciation: top'-os
    Description: apparently a primary word; a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas χώρα is a large but participle locality), i.e. location (as a position, home, tract, etc.); figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard:--coast, licence, place, X plain, quarter, + rock, room, where.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3699
    There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅπου
    Transliteration: hópou
    Pronunciation: hop'-oo
    Description: from ὅς and πού; what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot:--in what place, where(-as, -soever), whither (+ soever).
    
15. Strong's Number: G1163
    There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δεῖ
    Transliteration: deî
    Pronunciation: die
    Description: 3rd person singular active present of δέω; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding):--behoved, be meet, must (needs), (be) need(-ful), ought, should.