purposeful.
Last week was Nicodemus; this week is the Woman at the Well.
(The interlude with John the Baptist in John 3 connects these two stories. When you read it, think of both Nicodemus and the Woman at the Well.)
SIMILARITIES
- Neither understand “the gift of God” (John 4:10)
- Both stories feature water and the Spirit[1] (the John the Baptizer interlude features water and an explanation of the Spirit)
- They are confused about terms (birth/water/bread)
- Both initially see Jesus as a prophet (believe about rather than believe in)
DIFFERENCES
- Male vs. female
- Jewish vs. Samaritan
- Signs and wonders vs. no signs and wonders
- Nicodemus leaves confused; she leaves converted
- He leaves covertly; she leaves loudly and brings people back."HarmonyOfTheGospels