Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

JOHN 4:20KJV
Know the Bible

John 4:20 (KJV)

What does John 4:20 mean?

John 4:20 records the Samaritan woman telling Jesus that her ancestors worshipped on a particular mountain, but that Jews claim Jerusalem is the proper place to worship. She is raising a long-standing religious disagreement between Samaritans and Jews about the correct location for worshiping God.

In this scene, the Samaritan woman is speaking to Jesus at a well near the Samaritan town of Sychar. The "mountain" she mentions refers to Mount Gerizim, which Samaritans considered sacred, while Jews believed worship should happen in Jerusalem. Her question sets up Jesus’ teaching about true worship that follows in the conversation.

The Greek behind John 4:20

  • προσκυνέω (proskuneō, "worshipped"): This word often means to bow down or show reverence, not just participate in a religious ceremony. The Samaritan woman is talking about the physical act and location of worship, not just a general attitude.
  • τόπος (topos, "place"): The Greek word for "place" here highlights the focus on a specific, physical location for worship, which was a major point of division between Samaritans and Jews.

Why John 4:20 matters

  • John 4:20 makes clear that the disagreement between Samaritans and Jews was not just about theology, but about where God should be worshipped, showing how important physical places were in their religious life.
  • This verse sets the stage for Jesus’ teaching that follows, where he shifts the focus from location to the nature of true worship.
  • Understanding this background helps readers see why Jesus’ later statement that "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23) was so significant and surprising.

Where else these words appear

“worshipped” Greek G4352 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • Luke 24:52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
  • Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

“Jerusalem” Greek G2414 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Mark 15:41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
  • Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

“mountain” Greek G3735 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
  • Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
  • John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

“where” Greek G3699 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
  • John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.