JESUS: LOVE BREAKS DOWN AND CROSSES BARRIERS

Jesus Crossed the Social Barrier

This woman was obviously poor (e.g. she had to draw her own water)

Jesus Crossed the Sexual Barrier

His disciples were surprised in v. 27 that He was talking to a woman.

“Jose B. Johanan of Jerusalem said: Let thy house be opened wide and

let the needy be members of thy household; and talk not much with womankind.

They said this of a man’s own wife: how much more of his fellow’s

wife! Hence the Sages have said: he that talks much with womankind

brings evil upon himself and neglects the study of the Law and at the

last will inherit Gehenna (Mishnah, Aboth 1:5).

Jesus Crossed the Racial Barrier

She was surprised that He spoke with her a Samaritan, “for Jews have no dealings with Samaritans (v.9)

Jesus Crossed the Spiritual Barrier

It is well documented that the Jews despised the Samaritans and

regarded them as unclean (e.g. Mishnah, Niddah 4:1). See Morris, Gospel

of John, p. 259 footnote.