Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Now Jacob's well was there. 'We inquired of the Samaritans,' says Dr. Robinson, 'respecting Jacob's well. They said they acknowledged the tradition, and regarded it as having belonged to the patriach. It lies at the mouth of the valley (the narrow valley of Nablous) near the southside. Late as it was, we took a guide and set off for Jacob's well. We were 35 minutes in coming to it from the city. The well bears evident marks of antiquity, but was now dry and deserted; it was said usually to contain living water, and not merely to be filled by the rains. A large stone was laid loosely over, or rather in its mouth, and as the hour was now late, we made no attempt to remove the stone and examine the vaulted entrance below. We had also no line with us at the moment, to measure the well; but by dropping in stones, we could perceive that it was deep (John 4:11). Maundrell, who measured the well, found it dug in a firm rock, about 3 yards in diameter, and 35 yards in depth; 5 yards being full of water. In 1839, it was found to be only 75 feet deep below the vault by which it is covered, with only 10 or 12 feet of water; while in 1843, the bottom was found scarcely covered with water.' Various difficulties in the way of this tradition and the identity of the well are satisfactorily disposed of by Dr. Robinson.
Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus [ houtoos (G3779 )] on the well, х epi (G1909) tee (G3588) peegee (G4077)] - rather, 'by the well'-that is, just as one would do in such circumstances, loungingly or at ease; an instance of the graphic style of our Evangelist. In fact, this is perhaps the most human of all the scenes of our Lord's earthly history. We seem to be beside Him, overhearing all that is here recorded; nor could any painting of the scene on canvas, however perfect, do other than lower the conception which this exquisite narrative conveys to the devout and intelligent reader. But with all that is human, how much also of the divine have we here, both blended in one glorious manifestation of the majesty, grace, pity, patience with which "the Lord" imparts light and life to this unlikeliest of strangers, standing midway between Jews and pagans.
[And] it was about the sixth hour - or noon-day; reckoning from 6:00 a.m. From Song of Solomon 1:7, we know, as from other sources, that the very flocks "rested at noon." But Jesus, whose maxim was, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day" (John 9:4), seems to have denied Himself that repose, at least on this occasion, probably that He might reach this well when He knew the woman would be there. Once there, however, He accepts the grateful ease of a seat on the patriarchal stone. But, while Himself is resting, what music is that which I hear from His lips, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest?" (Matthew 11:28).