NOTES for Joh 4:27-42
The Samaritan woman did not immediately understand the meaning of Christ’s words about living water, but His disciples likewise did not understand His words about food. There is also this kind of ecumenism—a unity of misunderstanding, when both those who belong to the main stream of a religious tradition and preserve its traditions, and those who have broken away from it, are equally unable to hear what the Lord wishes to tell them.
But He comes to those who do not hear, yet are capable of hearing and receiving, even if not immediately, and makes the meaning of His words clear. Thus He patiently explained His parables to the disciples. Thus He also spoke with the Samaritans, adding His own preaching to the woman’s testimony, and His preaching was heard and received.
Addressing the disciples, Christ called them people sent to reap what they had not worked for. Indeed, they were called to ministry when the appointed times had already been fulfilled, after many centuries of service and preaching by the prophets sent to sow the word of the Lord. This must be precisely why Christ warns them against the temptation common to inexperienced enthusiasts: exalting themselves above those around them and viewing themselves as an elite. But harvesting, too, is hard work, and it awaits everyone who is ready to become His disciple.