What kind of woman had five husbands? (John 4:18)
For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
John 4:1 - 45
KJVS - 1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John. 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
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Asked February 18 2023
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Anonymous
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Justin Hale
Supporter
Jesus was given a 'word of knowledge' through the Holy Spirit about the private details of this Samaritan woman's sexual history. Samaritans were essentially the 'black sheep' of Israel, sharing many 'secular' cultural traits with the rest of Israel but clearly 'pagan' in their everyday practices. Jews were not permitted to even speak to them. However, this 'command' was NOT from GOD. It was an earthly 'interpretation' of GOD's commands not to 'fellowship in any way with pagans.' Samaritans weren't actually 'pagans,' they were fellow descendants of Jacob, just disobedient ones who 'parted ways' from Judah and his descendants long ago. Jesus was actually on solid religious ground in 'speaking' with them. Yet, the first thing He did was point out how the woman was 'acting like a pagan' marrying and divorcing five different times and even committing fornication on the side. Without actually saying it, Jesus was asking her, 'Why SHOULD we be talking with you, exactly?' Her response was to reveal her knowledge of Torah and the promised 'Messiah.' Jesus did something pretty incredible next. He openly and flatly told her that He is the Messiah! You should note that Jesus typically hid this from people and let them draw their own conclusions, (only His own disciples knew). The Samaritan woman became a public preacher of the 'good news' using her personal testimony about Christ's 'word of knowledge' to convince people that He is the Messiah while also using her own confession of guilt as the basis of her testimony! This has now become the basis of the 'good news' for all of us, regardless of our background, culture and personal history. The 'greater the sin' the more powerful the testimony of personal redemption! So what kind of woman has 'five husbands?' Obviously someone hungry for 'instruction' in divine things, since that was the role of the 'husband' in the household. None of hers offered her what she 'needed.' She even tried fornication out of frustration. Then 'Jesus the Messiah' arrived and finally gave her what she TRULY needed. GOD held no 'grudges' against this 'child of Jacob' and gladly welcomed her 'home.'
Danny Hickman
Supporter
John 4 teaches us that Jesus is the Messiah. The Messiah is the provider of all that we need. He will be our husband! (A good husband will always provide for his bride and will never leave or forsake her). The Samaritan lady had been going from one husband to another searching for a man who would provide her with her worldly needs. For whatever reason, none had worked out well. Jesus informs her that he is the husband for which she has been searching. If she will ask of him ONCE (for one cup of water), he would forever be her Provider (the husband for which she had diligently searched). (she asked, praise God!) This isn't about this lady's sinful lifestyle; the lady was in a bad situation; she wasn't necessarily going from man to man because she was what we refer to as a 'loose woman.' She is being shown as a person in a tough situation. That is a picture of every one of us! We are all sinners in need of everlasting provisions. He says, 'ask me for a drink, and I'll supply you with a well that won't run dry.' Praise the Lord Jesus!
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