Art as Text Two Texts, Two Traditions: The Woman at the Well

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. - John 4:39a (RSV)

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. - John 4:39a (RSV) The Samaritan woman at the well was the first evangelist to the gentiles.

The woman at the well was a popular subject in early art: In one tradition, the Samaritan woman and Jesus stand as equals. In the other, the woman stands, but Jesus sits, as if the woman were his servant.

Both stand. Sarcophagus, Gaul, 4 th century

Both stand. Catacomb fresco, Rome, 4 th century

Both stand. Tile from northern Africa, 5 th century

Both stand. Bishop’s gold enkolpion from near Ancient Syria, 6 th c.

Both stand. Carved in Constantinople, 550s

Two Texts, Two Traditions The text of John 4:27 in the oldest Syriac manuscript from Ancient Syria says: His disciples came and wondered that he was standing and talking with a woman.

Two Texts, Two Traditions The text of John 4:27 in the oldest Syriac manuscript from Ancient Syria says: His disciples came and wondered that he was standing and talking with a woman. Later manuscripts, including our own Bibles, do not say Jesus was standing with her. They say: His disciples came and wondered that he was talking with a woman.

Jesus sits. Callistus catacomb, Rome, 4 th century

Jesus sits. Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, 6 th century

Jesus sits. Coptic Egypt, 6 th century

His disciples came and wondered that he was standing and talking with a woman. What a difference two little words can make.

Art as Text By Ally Kateusz

Art as Text By Ally Kateusz In honor of Mary Ann Beavis