Some have regarded the question presented by the woman here as a serious one; recognizing Christ as a prophet, she asks his solution of what was to her mind the great religious problem of the day; others see in it an endeavor on her part to evade the personal reference to her own sins. Both seem to me true. She endeavors to turn the conversation; recognizing the truth of Christ’s allegation, “He whom thou now hast is not thy husband,” not by confessing her sin but by acknowledging him as a prophet; but eludes the topic by opening a problem in controversial theology. In all this she is honest and in earnest. She is not the first inquirer who has deemed theoretical theology more important than practical duty. The moment her thoughts are turned to religious truth, they tend to its external aspects, and she naturally and honestly seeks a refuge from her conscience in the question, Where ought men to worship? The question, What ought _I_ to do? is postponed. Observe that Christ suffers her to change the subject; leaves her conscience to press the sin to which he has awakened it, and teaches his followers how to deal with those who evade practical duty by doctrinal or ceremonial questions by his own response, No matter _where_ or _how_ the soul seeks God, if it only seeks him in spirit and in truth. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye[136] shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. [136] Mal. 1:11; Matt. 18:20. 22 Ye worship[137] ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation[138] is of the Jews. [137] 2 Kings 17:29. [138] Isa. 2:3; Rom. 9:5. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit[139] and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [139] Phil. 3:3. 24 God[140] _is_ a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship _him_ in spirit and in truth. [140] 2 Cor. 3:17.