20. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain. But you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where people must worship.”
21. Jesus said, “Believe me, woman! The time is coming when you will not have to be in Jerusalem or on this mountain to worship the Father.
22. You Samaritans worship something you don’t understand. We Jews understand what we worship, since salvation comes from the Jews.
23. But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In fact, that time is now here. And these are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers.
24. God is spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25. The woman said, “I know that the Messiah is coming.” (He is the one called Christ.) “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26. Then Jesus said, “He is talking to you now—I am the Messiah.”
27. Just then Jesus’ followers came back from town. They were surprised because they saw Jesus talking with a woman. But none of them asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
28. Then the woman left her water jar and went back to town. She told the people there,
29. “A man told me everything I have ever done. Come see him. Maybe he is the Messiah.”
30. So the people left the town and went to see Jesus.
31. While the woman was in town, Jesus’ followers were begging him, “Teacher, eat something!”
32. But Jesus answered, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”