A first reading of Jn 4 comes up against a number of difficulties touching the plot of the story. The link between the various parts of the dialogue of Jesus with the Samaritan woman and with his disciples is far from obvious. Resorting to the typical scene of the meeting at the well (Gn 24; 29, 1-14; Ex 2, 14-22) and to the oracle of Os 2, 4-25 where God condemns his unfaithful spouse (Israel) and then calls her to conversion allows us to clear up several of these difficulties. The link advocated by the author is the nuptial theme (and that of the restored union) between God and his people.
