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

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Both stand. Sarcophagus, Gaul, 4 th century

6. Both stand. Catacomb fresco, Rome, 4 th century

7. Both stand. Tile from northern Africa, 5 th century

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

9. Both stand. Carved in Constantinople, 550s

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Jesus sits. Callistus catacomb, Rome, 4 th century

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

14. Jesus sits. Coptic Egypt, 6 th century

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

16. Art as Text By Ally Kateusz

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