John 4:22

KJV

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye {G5210} worship {G4352} ye know {G1492} not {G3756} what {G3739}: we know {G1492} what {G3739} we {G2249} worship {G4352}: for {G3754} salvation {G4991} is {G2076} of {G1537} the Jews {G2453}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You people don’t know what you are worshipping; we worship what we do know, because salvation comes from the Jews.

Berean Standard Bible

You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.

American Standard Version

Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this pivotal declaration to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, Jesus asserts the historical and theological lineage of salvation, stating that while the Samaritans worship what they do not fully comprehend, the Jews possess a divinely revealed understanding of God. This statement culminates in the profound truth that "salvation is of the Jews," signifying that the Messiah, the means of God's redemptive plan, would emerge from the Jewish people, thereby establishing the precise historical and theological roots for the universal gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' remarkable encounter with the Samaritan woman, a narrative rich with theological significance. The conversation begins with a request for water, quickly shifts to the topic of "living water" [John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Living Water"), and then to the woman's personal life, revealing Jesus' supernatural knowledge [John 4:17-18](/john/4-17-18 "John 4:17-18 - Jesus' Knowledge of the Woman's Past"). Her response, recognizing Him as a prophet, immediately pivots to the contentious issue of the proper place of worship, specifically contrasting Mount Gerizim with Jerusalem [John 4:20](/john/4-20 "John 4:20 - The Question of Worship Location"). Jesus' response in [John 4:21-24](/john/4-21-24 "John 4:21-24 - True Worship in Spirit and Truth") directly addresses this, first affirming the Jewish heritage of salvation in [John 4:22](/john/4-22 "John 4:22 - Salvation is of the Jews"), and then transcending the geographical debate to introduce the concept of worship "in spirit and in truth." This verse, therefore, serves as a crucial bridge, validating God's historical work through Israel while preparing for the new covenant era.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The animosity and theological divide between Jews and Samaritans were ancient and profound. The Samaritans were descendants of Israelites who intermarried with foreign settlers after the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC, leading to a syncretistic religion. They accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses) as authoritative Scripture, rejecting the rest of the Old Testament, and worshipped on Mount Gerizim, where they had built their own temple, rather than in Jerusalem. Jews viewed them as ethnically and religiously impure, hence the surprise of the Samaritan woman that Jesus, a Jew, would even speak to her [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jewish-Samaritan Divide"). Jesus' statement directly confronts this historical tension, affirming the Jewish claim to the true lineage of divine revelation and the promised Messiah.

* **Key Themes:** [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman") explores several profound themes. The primary theme is **True Worship**, moving beyond physical locations to a spiritual and truthful encounter with God [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). This verse specifically highlights **Divine Revelation and Authority**, asserting that God's full and accurate self-disclosure was entrusted to the Jewish people through the covenants, laws, and prophets, in contrast to the Samaritans' partial and corrupted understanding. It also underscores the **Messianic Identity** of Jesus, as the "salvation" that "is of the Jews" ultimately points to Him as the promised Christ [John 4:25-26](/john/4-25-26 "John 4:25-26 - Jesus Reveals Himself as Messiah"). Finally, the passage subtly introduces the **Universality of the Gospel**, as Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, extends the offer of living water and true worship to a Samaritan woman, foreshadowing the inclusion of all nations in God's redemptive plan [John 4:39-42](/john/4-39-42 "John 4:39-42 - Many Samaritans Believe").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **worship (Greek, _proskynéō'_):** This verb means "to fawn or crouch to," specifically "to prostrate oneself in homage," or "to do reverence to, adore." It implies an act of profound submission, respect, and adoration, often involving physical prostration. In this context, Jesus is not merely discussing a ritual but the very posture of the heart and mind towards God. The Samaritans' worship, though sincere in its own way, lacked the full, divinely authorized object and understanding that the Jewish tradition possessed.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb, used here in the perfect tense, signifies a state of having seen and, by implication, to "know" with certainty, to "perceive," or to "understand." It denotes a settled, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual assent. Jesus contrasts the Samaritans' lack of this certain knowledge ("ye know not what") with the Jews' possession of it ("we know what we worship"), emphasizing the authoritative and revealed nature of Jewish understanding concerning God.
* **salvation (Greek, _sōtēría'_):** This feminine noun refers to "rescue or safety," encompassing both physical and moral deliverance, preservation, and wholeness. It points to the comprehensive redemption offered by God. In the context of "salvation is of the Jews," it signifies that the entire redemptive plan, culminating in the person and work of the Messiah, originates from and is channeled through the Jewish people. It is not merely a concept but a divine reality that finds its historical and theological roots in Israel.
* **of (Greek, _ek'_):** This primary preposition denotes "origin," "the point whence action or motion proceeds," or "from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote)." In the phrase "salvation is of the Jews," `ek` is crucial. It does not imply exclusivity ("salvation is *for* the Jews only") but rather the source, channel, or lineage through which God's saving work would be accomplished. The Messiah, the embodiment of salvation, would come *from* the Jewish people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye worship ye know not what:"** Jesus directly addresses the Samaritans' theological deficiency. Their worship, though perhaps earnest, was based on an incomplete and distorted understanding of God, derived from a partial revelation (only the Pentateuch) and mixed traditions. They lacked the full, accurate knowledge of God's character, His redemptive plan, and His appointed means of worship, which had been progressively revealed through the prophets and the entirety of the Old Testament to the Jewish people.
* **"we know what we worship:"** In contrast, Jesus, identifying with the Jewish people ("we"), asserts that they possess true and certain knowledge of God. This knowledge was grounded in God's specific revelation to Israel through the covenants, the Law given to Moses, and the prophetic tradition. The Jews had been entrusted with the oracles of God [Romans 3:2](/romans/3-2 "Romans 3:2 - The Oracles of God"), providing them with a divinely authorized understanding of who God is and how He is to be worshipped.
* **"for salvation is of the Jews."** This is the pivotal declaration. The conjunction "for" (Greek: _hóti_) indicates the reason or basis for the preceding statement. The reason the Jews "know what they worship" is because the very source and channel of God's saving work—the Messiah and the entire redemptive plan—originates from them. This does not mean salvation is exclusively *for* Jews, but that it comes *through* the Jewish lineage, culminating in Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah, who embodies and brings this salvation to the world. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham and David, through whom the world would be blessed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Contrast**, setting Samaritan worship ("ye worship ye know not what") against Jewish worship ("we know what we worship"). This highlights the differing foundations and understandings of God between the two groups, emphasizing the superior and divinely revealed truth held by the Jews. Furthermore, Jesus' statement functions as a powerful **Assertion**, an authoritative declaration that establishes the theological and historical lineage of God's redemptive plan. The phrase "salvation is of the Jews" also serves as significant **Foreshadowing**, pointing forward to Jesus' own identity as the Jewish Messiah and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Israel, which would then lead to the universal accessibility of salvation, as elaborated in the subsequent verses about worshipping in spirit and truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:22 is a profound theological statement affirming God's sovereign choice of Israel as the historical and theological conduit for His redemptive purposes. It underscores that while God's ultimate desire is for universal worship "in spirit and in truth," this universal access is not arbitrary but flows from a specific, divinely ordained historical trajectory. The particularity of God's work through Israel, culminating in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah, is the very means by which salvation becomes available to all humanity. This verse reminds us that God's plan is rooted in history, faithfulness to covenants, and a precise lineage, yet always with a view towards global redemption.

* [Romans 9:4-5](/romans/9-4-5 "Romans 9:4-5 - Israel's Privileges and the Messiah")
* [Galatians 3:8](/galatians/3-8 "Galatians 3:8 - The Gospel Preached to Abraham")
* [Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and Forgiveness Preached")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:22 invites us to reflect on the nature of our own worship and the foundation of our faith. Do we "know what we worship," or are we content with a superficial or inherited understanding of God? True worship flows from a deep, informed knowledge of God's character, His revealed will, and His redemptive work in Christ. This verse also calls us to appreciate the intricate tapestry of God's faithfulness throughout history, recognizing that His promises to Israel were not ends in themselves, but crucial steps in the unfolding drama of salvation for all peoples. Understanding this historical rootedness strengthens our confidence in God's overarching plan and His unwavering commitment to bring about His purposes. Finally, it challenges us to embrace the "scandal of particularity"—that universal salvation comes through a specific, chosen lineage—and to share this good news with others, acknowledging its unique historical source while celebrating its boundless reach.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does knowing *whom* we worship, as opposed to simply *what* we worship, deepen our personal devotion and understanding of God?**
* **In what ways does understanding God's faithfulness to His historical promises (e.g., to Abraham and Israel) bolster your trust in His faithfulness to you today?**
* **How can we, as believers, effectively communicate the truth that salvation originates "of the Jews" (through Christ) while simultaneously affirming its universal availability to all people?**

### FAQ
**Does "salvation is of the Jews" mean that only Jewish people can be saved, or that salvation is exclusively for them?**

Answer: No, this statement does not mean that salvation is exclusively for Jewish people. Instead, it emphasizes that the *source*, *channel*, or *lineage* through which God's plan of salvation would be realized was the Jewish people. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of salvation, was born of Jewish lineage, fulfilling centuries of prophecies given to Israel. He is the "seed of Abraham" through whom "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Promise to Abraham"). Jesus' declaration here sets the stage for His subsequent teaching that true worship transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries, becoming accessible to "whosoever believes" [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"). The Jewish people were the chosen vessel for God's revelation and the birthplace of the Savior, making salvation universally available through Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:22 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ Himself. He is the very "salvation" that "is of the Jews," embodying the culmination of God's covenant promises to Abraham and David. As the Jewish Messiah, born of the tribe of Judah [Hebrews 7:14](/hebrews/7-14 "Hebrews 7:14 - Jesus from Judah"), Jesus perfectly represents the divinely appointed channel through which God's redemptive plan would unfold. His life, death, and resurrection, rooted firmly in Jewish history and prophecy, provide the means by which all humanity can know and worship God in truth. He is the one whom the Jews "know" and "worship" in the purest sense, not merely as an abstract concept, but as the living Word made flesh [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Through Him, the particularity of Israel's election blossoms into the universality of the Gospel, inviting all people, Jew and Gentile alike, to approach God in spirit and truth, no longer bound by specific locations but by the presence of the Spirit of Christ [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ"). Thus, Jesus is the living bridge between God's historical faithfulness to Israel and His boundless grace extended to the entire world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 17:23

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Isaiah 2:3

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Romans 9:4

Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

Romans 9:5

Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Luke 24:47

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Psalms 147:19

He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: