And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seek you? or, Why talk you with her?
All Commentaries on John 4:27 Go To John 4
John Chrysostom
AD 407
The disciples arrive opportunely, and when the teaching is finished: And upon this came His disciples, and marveled that He talked with the woman. They marveled at the exceeding kindness and humility of Christ, in condescending to converse with a poor woman, and a Samaritan.
But notwithstanding their wonder, they asked Him no questions, No man said, What seek You? or, Why talk you with her? So careful were they to observe the rank of disciples, so great was their awe and veneration for Him. On subjects indeed which concerned themselves, they did not hesitate to ask Him questions. But this was not one.
As the Apostles, on being called, left their nets, so does she leave her water pot, to do the work of an Evangelist, by calling not one person, but a whole city: She went her way into the city, and said to themen, Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? .
She was not prevented by shame-facedness from spreading about what had been said to her. For the soul, when it is once kindled by the divine flame, regards neither glory, nor shame, nor any other earthly thing, only the flame which consumes it. But she did not wish them to trust to her own report only, but to come and judge of Christ for themselves. Come, see aman, she says. She does not say, Come and believe, but, Come and see; which is an easier matter. For well she knew that if they only tasted of that well, they would feel as she did.
She then neither openly preaches Christ, nor wholly omits Him, but says, Is not thisthe Christ? This wakened their attention, Then they went out of the city, and came to Him.
