John 4:21 (KJV)

What does John 4:21 mean?

John 4:21 records Jesus telling a Samaritan woman that a time is coming when worship of God the Father will not be tied to a specific physical location, such as the mountain in Samaria or the temple in Jerusalem. Instead, true worship will go beyond these traditional places.

In this scene, Jesus (G2424) is speaking to a Samaritan woman (G1135) at a well, responding to her question about the proper place to worship God. The verse signals a major shift: worship will no longer depend on being "in this mountain" (G3735) or "at Jerusalem" (G2414), but will become something not limited by geography or tradition. This sets the stage for Jesus’ later explanation about worshiping "in spirit and in truth."

The Greek behind John 4:21

• The word "worship" (προσκυνέω, proskuneō, G4352) means to show reverence or to bow down. Here, it highlights that the act of honoring God is not confined to a particular site.
• "Neither" (οὐδέ, oude, G3777) and "nor yet" (οὐδέ, oude, G3777) emphasize the exclusion of both traditional worship locations, underlining that both are being set aside.
• "Hour" (ὥρα, hōra, G5610) is often used in John’s Gospel to mean a significant or appointed time, not just a literal hour. Here, it points to a coming era of change in how people relate to God.

Why John 4:21 matters

• John 4:21 clears up the common misunderstanding that worship must happen in a certain holy place; Jesus says the location will no longer matter.
• The verse shifts the focus from external rituals and places to the nature of worship itself, preparing for Jesus’ teaching about worshiping "in spirit and in truth."
• This statement connects to the broader conversation in John 4, where Jesus breaks social and religious barriers, showing that access to God is being opened to all people, not just those in Jerusalem or Samaria.