John 4:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →She brings a prophet the great dispute of her people: worship on this mountain, or in Jerusalem?
What Does John 4:20 Mean?
Mount Gerizim rose directly above the well, the center of Samaritan worship where their temple had once stood; Jews held that God's chosen place was Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5; 2 Chronicles 6:6). Fresh from being known so completely, she brings a prophet the question that divided her world.
Hear the question beneath the question: where can someone like me actually meet God? Whose altar will receive me? It is the right thing to ask a prophet, and Jesus will answer with something larger than either mountain. When old hurts surface, the deepest need is rarely to win the argument — it is to find the place, or the Person, where worship is possible.
John 4:20 in the Original Language
proskyneo (προσκυνέω), 'worshipped' -- to bow down before, to do homage.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 4:20
What does John 4:20 mean?
She brings a prophet the great dispute of her people: worship on this mountain, or in Jerusalem?