This post is going to be a little different than others. If you like it, and you’d like more posts like this, please comment and let me know!
I’ve challenged myself to read through the entire Greek New Testament. So far I’ve made it through Mark, and now I’m working my way through John.
What’s fascinating about this project is that things pop out at me that I wouldn’t notice if I was reading the New Testament in translation! In fact, sometimes the translation actually obscures the meaning of the text.
One passage where I want to point out just a few things is the passage of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-24).
THE NUMBER SIX
In verse 6, some translations seem to have this random comment, “It was about noon.” (NRSV)
I’ve seen some commentators try to make a big deal about this: what it meant in the ancient world when women were at wells at noon. However, I think there’s something more going on.
The Greek actually says, “It was about the sixth hour.”
Hmm. The number six!
Then, later in the passage, we learn the woman has had five husbands and the SIXTH one she is with is not her husband!
Hmm. The number six again!
I wonder what’s going on? Let’s come back to it.
RESTING AND WORKING
Returning to verse 6 we notice another odd comment in the text. It says,
…so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey… (Jhn 4:6 RSV)
Yes, the Greek does say that, but it uses a particular word to say that. The word it uses is κεκοπιακὠς, which comes from κοπιἀω, which means to toil or work.
Interesting! Why? Because at the end of this story, Jesus tells a story about harvesters and sowers working!
I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” (Jhn 4:38 RSV)
If you’re reading it in Greek, there’s that word again!
The same root of the word is used for Jesus being “wearied,” (κεκοπιακὠς) and for laborers having “labored” (κεκοπιἀκατε)!
What’s going on?
IT’S TIME TO REST
Briefly, here’s what I think is going on:
God created the world in 6 days – there’s that number 6! Then on the 7th day he rested.
I see a connection between Christ resting and the mention of the number six, because of the Greek.
This seems to be verified by the story of the harvesters and sowers that Christ tells at the end of the passage.
He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” (Jhn 4:36-38 RSV)
After working and harvesting, one rests and enjoys the fruits of the labor, which is akin to after God created he rested – that is, the Sabbath!
But, I think there’s something more going on. I think it’s telling us something about what this rest, or Sabbath, looks like!
THE REST IS CHRIST THE BRIDEGROOM
Notice that when Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman and asks her about her husbands, she ultimately admits to having been with six men!
Again the number six!
But, if we recall another popular image of Christ, we recall that he’s often portrayed as the bridegroom!
It’s almost as to say that this woman’s 7th, and final husband, will finally be her true husband, and it’s Christ, the bridegroom!
Theologically, I understand this whole passage to be saying that the time for the ultimate Sabbath is drawing near, and when it does, this is what it looks like: Christ the bridegroom will finally be united with the Church, his bride.
Or, if you want to put it another way, the Church finds its rest, or Sabbath, in her bridegroom, Christ!
P.S. FOR NOW, WE HARVEST
So, the story of the Samaritan woman is telling us that the time for the Sabbath is drawing near.
Christ is getting ready to rest with his new bride, the Church.
But, we still have a few last things to do. Christ says that the harvest has been sowed, but now we have to reap the harvest. We have to work just a bit more.
Why not come to St. Elias, and help with that harvest and prepare for the marriage feast!
(Sundays @ 10:30, 2001 Asbury Rd, Dubuque)(or find your nearest Orthodox Church, here).
Very interesting ideas you brought out here. Scripture always has meaning and depth everywhere we look. So the Orthodox church also has meaning in everything seen, heard, sang, tasted, and even smelled.
Yes, every single iota has meaning!
Wonderful stuff. Thank you.
From here go to Hebrews for the image of the spiritual Sabbath…and in John watch out for the hidden “I am” sayings.
And yes do more posts like this. (And turn each into a homily!)
Thank you, Gary! Yes, there’s a lot I can post on!