John 4:21
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῇ
unto her
G846
αὐτῇ
unto her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 22
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
πίστευσον
believe
G4100
πίστευσον
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
6 of 22
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ὅτι
cometh
G3754
ὅτι
cometh
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἔρχεται
G2064
ἔρχεται
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
9 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
19 of 22
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
προσκυνήσετε
worship
G4352
προσκυνήσετε
worship
Strong's:
G4352
Word #:
20 of 22
to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
Cross References
1 Timothy 2:8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Ephesians 2:18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.John 4:23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.Ephesians 3:14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,John 5:28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,John 16:32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.John 16:2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.Ezekiel 14:3Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Historical Context
This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when Jerusalem's temple was destroyed. The early church's worship in homes, synagogues, and public spaces demonstrated this geographical freedom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's teaching free us from limiting God's presence to specific locations?
- What does it mean that 'the hour cometh' when worship will be transformed through Christ's work?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' prophetic announcement that true worship will transcend location ('neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem') anticipates the New Covenant. The coming 'hour' refers to His death, resurrection, and the Spirit's outpouring, which enables worship in Spirit and truth regardless of geography. Reformed theology emphasizes that Christ's fulfillment of temple worship frees us from sacred spaces.