John 4:23

Now is. The “hour” of v. 21, when the place of worship ceases to be a matter of importance, is here now. It is not necessary to struggle on in the rut of the past. It is not necessary to await some future time to enter into true worship, to receive the “living water.” Jerusalem has been the appointed place of worship (see v. 21), and will remain so for a brief time longer, but true worship may begin “now.” It is not where, but how, one worships that counts.

True worshippers. That is, those whose worship is of the heart, rather than worship consisting essentially of ritual forms conducted at some particular place.

In spirit and in truth. That is, in all sincerity, with the highest faculties of the mind and emotions, applying the principles of truth to the heart (see on Matt. 5:3, 48; 7:21-27; Mark 7:6-9). This is genuine worship, Jesus says; all else is false. The same distinction here made between true worship and the forms of worship is clearly stated by the prophet Micah (ch. 6:7, 8).

The Father seeketh. The Father is not a far-off deity, unconcerned with His children, but is interested in them individually (see Isa. 57:15). He not only accepts “true worshippers” but anxiously “seeketh” those willing to worship Him “in spirit and in truth,” and encourages them to come to Him (see Eze. 18:31, 32; John 3:16; Acts 17:24-31; 2 Peter 3:9). Salvation is not the result of men’s feeble efforts at seeking out an indifferent God, but of the unwearied efforts of a heavenly Father who, with solicitous compassion, seeks for His lost children (see on Matt. 18:12-14; John 10:1-21). John repeatedly emphasizes this truth (see John 3:16; 6:44; 15:16; 1 John 4:10). Compare the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son (Luke 15:1-32).