The Samaritan woman at the well appears in just one passage in one of the Gospels (John 4:1–42), and yet her presence echoes through centuries as she is preached from pulpits and whispered in moments of reflection.
Her story is a theatrical revelation of grace. She is a sinner who sees the way and is among the first to truly accept Jesus.
I’ve turned to this story countless times and used her encounter with Jesus as a source of encouragement for fellow women. Her courage, redemption, and willingness to embrace truth make her a symbol of transformation, one that deeply resonates with me.
The lessons we’ll explore particularly from a feminine perspective from the woman at the well’s story include:
- God calls us to a purpose in His kingdom
- God sees and hears us
- God always allows us a fresh start
- God helps us find our voice in the quiet
But before we learn how the Samaritan woman’s account can push women to greater heights, let’s look at the background of this story.
Who Is the Woman at the Well?
1. The Woman at the Well Is a Samaritan.
When the Samaritan woman meets Jesus, her expected reaction is fear and distrust. That’s because she is a Samaritan woman and Jesus is a Jewish man. Samaritans and Jews despised one another, so it says volumes that she still approaches the well.
The animosity between Jews and Samaritans can be traced back to 2 Kings 17 when Assyria conquers Israel. Assyria brings in other conquered people to settle the land of Samaria. Those who remained intermarry with these foreigners and produce a new generation. The blend of people also comes with a blend of worship: “they feared the LORD but also served their own gods” (2 Kings 17:33).
This mixed heritage creates tensions between this group and the Jewish people in the south, who hadn’t intermarried. Jews view the Samaritans as unclean outsiders.
So deep is this divide that the Samaritans even build their own temple because they are prohibited from worshipping in Jerusalem.
The woman at the well shouldn’t even be talking to Jesus—a Jewish rabbi and a man. Men and women who weren’t married or related weren’t allowed to be alone together, especially outside of town.
2. The Woman at the Well in the Bible Is an Outcast
Secondly, the woman at the well isn’t welcome among other women. We can confirm this by when she chooses to collect water—noontime.
In that culture, women would usually gather water early in the morning or late in the evening when it wasn’t too hot. However, the Samaritan woman braves the scorching sun to collect her water quietly.
I’ve always imagined she had no friends, so she goes alone to the well to avoid running into people who would look at her with contempt. She wants to avoid the shame from others.
But what did the Samaritan woman do wrong? Why was she considered an outcast?
To the people around her, she might have seemed:
- Unlucky
- Cursed
- Divorced
- Immoral
We can get a few clues about this when Jesus asks her to bring her husband. Jesus reveals that she has had five husbands and currently lives with a man who isn’t her husband. Maybe she had divorced many times, or her husbands may have died. Or perhaps some combination of both—Scripture doesn’t give us many details here.
What Women Today Can Learn from the Woman at the Well
There’s so much we can learn from the Samaritan woman, but here are my top four takeaways.
1. God Calls Women to a Purpose in His Kingdom
In John 4:1–30, the woman at the well isn’t just a “sinner saved.” She is the first person Jesus openly reveals His messiahship to, and she immediately shares it. I prefer calling her the first female evangelist.
As soon as Jesus tells her, “I … am he,” the woman runs to tell her people, the Samaritans, about Him.
“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29).
She doesn’t have a theology degree or a perfect past but still chooses to serve the Lord.
With God, every woman has a purpose.
What is your purpose in the kingdom of the Lord?
2. God Sees and Hears Women
God cares for us, even when we feel like we’re not worthy of His grace and mercy. He “sends rain” to everyone, including those who don’t know Him (Matt. 5:45).
The Samaritan woman at the well doesn’t deserve a meeting with the Son of God. Yet, Jesus not only meets with her but offers her “living water” (John 4:10) to satisfy her deep spiritual thirst.
Remember, she’s waiting for the Messiah in John 4:25 and deeply longs for a relationship that won’t let her down.
This story reminds me of the many times God has come to my rescue. I’ve also seen Him work miracles for my friends and many other amazing women I have met.
One of my friends always reminds me how she prayed to God for a husband and He lovingly gifted her with a marriage.
Another friend waited years for a child, and God answered her prayer in His perfect timing.
I draw so much inspiration from other strong women of the Bible like Hannah, Hagar, and Esther when encouraging fellow women. Their stories assure us that God always watches over us and knows all our struggles.
3. A Fresh Start Is Always Possible with Him
Society had labeled the woman at the well as an outcast and a sinner. Maybe she was afraid to get married again. She could have been frightened of getting divorced for the umpteenth time, or she simply didn’t want to bury another husband.
Maybe no suitor was coming with a proposal because she was cursed. Either way, she walks away from the well and her encounter with Jesus no longer as a pariah but as a woman with a purpose.
Jesus invites you to reject your past and the script others write for you.
God says through the prophet Isaiah, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isa. 43:18–19).
Forget what society thinks of you! Toxic ex, judgmental friends or colleagues, or even your inner critic—let it all go and start afresh. Seek healing from those past wounds and embrace fresh beginnings. The only opinion that matters is God’s.
And for my dear friends who may be single, widowed, divorced, or childless, these powerful verses will reassure you that God has amazing things in store for you.
- Genesis 18:14
- Psalm 34:18
- Psalm 68:5
- Psalm 113:9
- Jeremiah 29:11
4. God Helps You Find Your Voice in the Quiet
The woman at the well in the Bible comes to the well alone with no friend or relative, but she leaves as a messenger who sparks belief in her town.
You may feel sidelined by family, cliques, corporate ladders, or societal expectations. But God won’t abandon you. He has promised to never leave, nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).
While it is important to be in community at times studying the Word and praying, I’ve always felt that God speaks to me most clearly in moments of solitude. I pray more fervently in times of uncertainty or doubt, and it is in these moments that God has answered me plainly.
It was in the quiet I knew God intended to use me as a source of strength for other women. I had lost my job, and my life had slowed down. But it was during this trial that I became more aware of His presence and discovered my purpose. All distractions faded, and I was mostly alone in the silence studying the women of the Bible when my friends and even former colleagues began approaching me for encouragement.
Influence doesn’t necessarily require a spotlight. Start by mentoring a younger colleague, speaking up in a small group, or encouraging fellow women online. Just walk with God, and you’ll soon find your voice.
God Saw the Woman at the Well. He Sees Us Too.
In the story of the woman at the well, we find a beautiful reminder that God sees us, calls us, restores us, and gives us purpose no matter our past. Her encounter with Jesus is more than a historical moment; it’s a personal invitation to every woman today to live boldly, speak truthfully, and follow faithfully.
If her story has inspired you, I encourage you to learn more about the other courageous women of the Bible in this article: 10 Inspiring Women of the Bible and What We Learn from Them.
Akinyi Maggie is a loving wife, devoted mother, motivational speaker, and writer. She has authored numerous articles about powerful women in the Bible to uplift women of faith and is currently working on her first book. She is also a financial consultant and has written articles concerning banking, finance, health, and lifestyle. Maggie is the co-founder of My Baby Is Healthy, which focuses on children’s health and products.
