The men, probably the community leaders, proceeded out to the well to investigate Jesus" identity. Some of them may have wanted the secrets of this woman"s past, perhaps secrets involving themselves, to remain buried. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 4:27-38 - The Rewards Of Service
As soon as Jesus opens the living spring within our hearts, we abandon our water pots. When we are saved, we must hasten with the tidings to those with whom we have sinned. First find Christ for yourself; then say, "Come and see." He who knows us with an unchallengeable knowledge cannot be other than the Christ.
The disciples were naturally astonished when they came upon this interview. They might have asked the woman what she was seeking, and the Master why He was talking to her. But they were silent; the awe of God was upon them. Their natural care for their beloved leader led them to press on Him the viands they had purchased, but they were destined to learn that the soul may be nourished in obeying the will of God. The whiteness of the harvest appeared in the crowds that were coming down the valley; but at harvest time we are sometimes apt to forget the sower who passed home without seeing the result of his labor. That is not the divine method. The sower is rewarded for his share, as the reaper for his-they rejoice together. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 4
1Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her 27His disciples marvel 31He declares to them his zeal for God's glory 39Many Samaritans believe on him 43He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum
Greek Commentary for John 4:30
They went out [εχηλτον] Second aorist (effective) indicative of εχερχομαι exerchomai at once and in a rush. And were coming to him Imperfect middle, graphically picturing the long procession as they approached Jesus. [source]
Went out - came unto Him [ἐξῆλθον - ἤρχοντο πρὸς αὐτόν] Went out is the aorist tense, denoting the coming forth from the city as a single act at a point of time. Came is the imperfect, denoting action in progress. The observance of the distinction makes the narrative more graphic. They were coming. Unto should be toward ( πρὸς ). The imperfect also is required by the following words: “In the mean while” (while the woman was still absent and the Samaritans were coming toward Him) “the disciples were praying ” Him to eat. This last imperfect is overlooked by the Rev.. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 4:30
John 1:39They came [] The best texts add οὖν , therefore. So Rev. This connecting particle is found in John's Gospel as often as in the other three combined, and most commonly in narrative, marking the transition from one thing to another, and serving to connect the several parts of the narrative. See John 1:22; John 2:18; John 3:25; John 4:28,John 4:30, etc. Much more frequently thus than in the discourses, where it would be used to mark a sequence of thought. Still such instances occur, as John 4:21,John 4:25; John 3:29; John 8:5; John 4:11. [source]
John 8:42Ye would love me [ηγαπατε αν εμε] Conclusion of second-class condition with distinct implication that their failure to love Jesus is proof that God is not their Father (protasis). For I came forth from God Second aorist active indicative of εχερχομαι exerchomai definite historical event (the Incarnation). See John 4:30 for εχηλτον εκ exēlthon ek In John 13:3; John 16:30 Jesus is said to have come from Present active indicative with perfect sense in the verb stem (state of completion) before rise of the tense and here retained. “I am here,” Jesus means. Of myself His coming was not self-initiated nor independent of the Father. “But he (εκεινος ekeinos emphatic demonstrative pronoun) sent me” and here I am. [source]
Greek Commentary for John 4:30
Second aorist (effective) indicative of εχερχομαι exerchomai at once and in a rush. And were coming to him Imperfect middle, graphically picturing the long procession as they approached Jesus. [source]
Omit. [source]
Went out is the aorist tense, denoting the coming forth from the city as a single act at a point of time. Came is the imperfect, denoting action in progress. The observance of the distinction makes the narrative more graphic. They were coming. Unto should be toward ( πρὸς ). The imperfect also is required by the following words: “In the mean while” (while the woman was still absent and the Samaritans were coming toward Him) “the disciples were praying ” Him to eat. This last imperfect is overlooked by the Rev.. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 4:30
The best texts add οὖν , therefore. So Rev. This connecting particle is found in John's Gospel as often as in the other three combined, and most commonly in narrative, marking the transition from one thing to another, and serving to connect the several parts of the narrative. See John 1:22; John 2:18; John 3:25; John 4:28, John 4:30, etc. Much more frequently thus than in the discourses, where it would be used to mark a sequence of thought. Still such instances occur, as John 4:21, John 4:25; John 3:29; John 8:5; John 4:11. [source]
Conclusion of second-class condition with distinct implication that their failure to love Jesus is proof that God is not their Father (protasis). For I came forth from God Second aorist active indicative of εχερχομαι exerchomai definite historical event (the Incarnation). See John 4:30 for εχηλτον εκ exēlthon ek In John 13:3; John 16:30 Jesus is said to have come from Present active indicative with perfect sense in the verb stem (state of completion) before rise of the tense and here retained. “I am here,” Jesus means. Of myself His coming was not self-initiated nor independent of the Father. “But he (εκεινος ekeinos emphatic demonstrative pronoun) sent me” and here I am. [source]