John 4:22
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:22
In John 4:22, Jesus sharpens the Samaritan woman’s understanding with, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” He acknowledges a historical-religious claim: salvation history centers in the God of Israel and the Messiah promised within Jewish faith. Yet the broader point remains that knowledge without a personal relationship with God is insufficient. The verse sets up the unfolding revelation that God’s plan of salvation extends to the world—through Jesus—while still rooting reality in the Jewish narrative that prepared the way for him.
This verse emphasizes the object and source of true worship: God who reveals himself in history and through redemption. It also foreshadows inclusion—though initially through Jewish lineage and covenants, the gospel will extend to all peoples. The tension between true knowledge and authentic relationship is a theological thread throughout John’s Gospel, highlighting that accurate doctrine must be lived in worship that is truthful and Spirit-led.
Many people know facts about God but lack intimate relationship with him. Seek integrated faith where what you affirm doctrinally translates into daily devotion, obedience, and love. Practical steps: review your beliefs and prayers—do they reflect a real relationship with God through Jesus? Do not rest on heritage or knowledge alone; pursue a dynamic faith that experiences God’s presence and obedience to his will.
Cross-References
- John 1:29-34
- Romans 3:28
- Romans 10:9-10
- Titus 3:4-7
- Philippians 3:8-9