I have no husband, she replied. Jesus said to her, 'You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.' — Jesus' knowledge of her personal history is presented as a sign of prophetic insight (cf. 1:48). The five husbands likely represent either serial divorce or widowhood; her present situation is unlawful cohabitation. Rather than condemn, Jesus validates her truthfulness and demonstrates that he knows her completely—a prelude to revelation of his identity.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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