προσκυνέω in John 4:20-24
Excerpt
John 4:20–24 deals with the question of the legitimate place to worship God. Jesus declares the alternative “Jerusalem or Gerizim” posed by the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (v. 20a, b) to be outdated (vv.21, 23a, b). Though the Jews’ worship is, indeed, put before that of the Samaritans (v.22a, b), this difference is overcome because “now” “the true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth” (v. 23a). This does not constitute a rejection of worship at specific places; it is not a matter of the “inwardness” of worship. “Spirit” is the opposite of “flesh,” of powerless and selfish human existence. Worship “in spirit” is worship within the liberated human situation newly disclosed by God. It happens in the “truth” that has come through Christ (1:17). Indeed, Christ is the “truth” (14:6). God’s Spirit leads into “truth” (16:13). Worship “in spirit and truth” (so also 4:24a, b) is worship made possible by Jesus Christ and realized in the believer by the Holy Spirit. Fellowship with Jesus leads to correct worship of the Father — without rejecting preferred places of worship. In 9:38προσκυνέω is used of an expression of faith in the Son of man Jesus as a response to the experience of divine power in healing (cf. v.33). More
Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider.Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament 1990– : 174. Print
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