Seen, Known, Sent: 

Evangelism and the Samaritan Woman

John 4: 1-42

“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” —John 4:29

Among the many named women in Scripture, today we focus on a woman known only by her title: The Samaritan Woman. But her anonymity does not diminish the power of her story—in fact, it elevates it. She is a woman with a complicated past, and a marginalized status, and yet, she becomes one of the first evangelists in the New Testament. Her encounter with Jesus at a well in Sychar reshapes her life and reaches out to her entire community.

A Loaded Title

To understand the weight of the title The Samaritan Woman, we need to grasp the history behind it. Samaritans were the result of a cultural and religious blending after the Assyrian exile in 722 BC. They were a people scorned by Jews for their intermarriage with Gentiles and their divergent religious practices. Fast forward to 445 BC, and Samaritans are actively opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s leadership. The hostility was mutual and longstanding.

By the time of Jesus, Jews would go miles out of their way to avoid walking through Samaria. Yet, in John 4, we see Jesus deliberately travel through this region—choosing the path of cultural collision to fulfill a higher mission.

The Encounter at the Well

It’s noon when Jesus meets this woman at Jacob’s well—an unusual time for women to gather water, which may hint at her social isolation. As their conversation unfolds, Jesus offers her living water, speaks into her painful past without shame, and redefines worship beyond geography: “The true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth.”

She tries to change the subject to religious controversy—Mt. Gerizim or Jerusalem? But Jesus does more than answer her question; He reveals His identity: “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Leaving the Jar Behind

Then comes one of the most beautiful transitions in the passage: “So the woman left her water jar...” (John 4:28). In that moment, she leaves behind the very reason she came to the well, now filled with a far greater purpose—sharing the good news.

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.” That’s her testimony. Simple. Honest. Unpolished.

And it’s enough. Her words stir curiosity. The townspeople come, listen, and believe.

The Expanding Impact

“Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony...” (v. 39). Then they urged Jesus to stay, to share meals, to live among them for several days—an unthinkable level of hospitality between Jews and Samaritans. And Jesus stays.

Later, they say: “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves.” What started with one woman’s witness became a community transformation.

Observations and Application

The Samaritan woman’s story shows us that God can use anyone—yes, anyone—to advance His kingdom.

She had no theological degree.
No religious credibility.
No platform or position.
Just a story of encountering Jesus.

So often we overcomplicate evangelism. We assume it’s for the naturally persuasive or the biblically brilliant. We hesitate out of fear of rejection or inadequacy. But here is a woman whose testimony—raw and real—was a catalyst for belief.

We need her story.

Because God’s will is for the nations to drink from the well of living water.

Because God’s kingdom tears down ethnic and social barriers.

Because evangelism is not reserved for the eloquent—it's entrusted to the faithful.

Reflective Questions for Your Journey

Whether you identify as someone with the gift of evangelism or simply desire to grow in it, here are some questions to consider:

1. Think about a person in your life with the gift of evangelism. How has their witness impacted your faith?

2. In your current context—at home, work, church, or in your community—how might God use your words to point people to Jesus?

3. What holds you back from sharing Jesus? Fear? Shame? Uncertainty? How might you begin to surrender those barriers?

4. What’s one simple way you can practice sharing the gospel this week? Commit to it and invite someone to hold you accountable.

Final Thought

You don’t need all the answers. You don’t need a perfect past. You simply need to say, like the Samaritan woman: Come and see.

Because Jesus still meets people at the well. And He still changes everything.