John 4:22

Dr. Ronnie Wolfe

The Samaritans worshiped God in their own way, but they did not know whom they worshiped. They were worshiping as only Gentiles would worship. The Samaritans were mixed-blooded, partly Jew and partly Gentile; but they did not worship as did the Jews in the Jewish way, keeping the ordinances that were types of the coming of the Messiah, though they knew of the Messiah's coming.

As a matter of fact, even the Jews did not know what they worshiped. Many recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but most of them rejected Jesus as the coming Messiah, hated him, and eventually crucified him.

When Jesus said here "We know what we worship," he was speaking of those who worshiped God Jehovah and knew Jesus as the coming Messiah, followed him and were his disciples.

God has chosen the Jewish nation to bring light to the Gentiles, so salvation was of the Jews. Jesus came as a result of the promise and covenant given to and through the Jewish people. Jesus was a Jew, and his message was a Jewish message; but Jesus' purpose was to eventually put out the Gospel to all people in the world.

Remember that, when Jesus sent out his disciples the first time for a witness, he said in  Matt. 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Again in Matt. 15:24 he said, But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Later Jesus said in Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.