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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Observe her zeal and wisdom. She came to draw water, and when she had lighted upon the true Well, she after that despised the material one; teaching us even by this trifling instance when we are listening to spiritual matters to overlook the things of this life, and make no account of them. For what the Apostles did, that, after her ability, did this woman also. They when they were called, left their nets; she of her own accord, without the command of any, leaves her water pot, and winged by joy performs the office of Evangelists. …
Cyril of Alexandria
The woman now shows herself superior to and above the cares of the body, who two or three days ago was the wife of many, and she who ofttimes was easily taken captive by vain pleasures, now overreaches the flesh of its necessary want, disregarding alike thirst and drink, and is re-wrought unto another habit through faith. Forthwith doth she, exercising love the fairest of all virtues, and neighbourly-affection, diligently proclaiming to others also the good which appeared to her, hasten quickly into the city. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
From the Lord's words, the woman's heart was so inflamed that she even left her water jar behind. So quickly did she prefer the water of Christ to the well of Jacob, and by the faith that embraced her heart, she is elevated to the rank of apostle, teaching and drawing an entire city.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"The woman then left her water-pot." Having heard, "I that speak with thee am He," and having received Christ the Lord into her heart, what could she do but now leave her water-pot, and run to preach the gospel? She cast out lust, and hastened to proclaim the truth. Let them who would preach the gospel learn; let them throw away their water-pot at the well. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then (v 28), we have the fruit which relates to the woman; by what she said to her people, she was taking on the role of an apostle. From what she says and does, we can learn three things. First, her affective devotion; secondly, her way of preaching; thirdly the effect her preaching had (v 30). Her affection is revealed in two ways. First, because her devotion was so great that she forgot why she had come to the well, and left without the water and her water jar. …
Bonaventure
Now the part is concluded in which the Lord preached and showed Himself to the Samaritan woman individually and privately; here begins the second part, in which the Lord preaches to the Samaritans in common and manifests Himself to them. And because this manifestation was made partly through the proclamation of the woman, partly through the discourse of Christ, and this while the disciples were listening, who ought to have been attentive to this same thing, therefore this manifestation proceeds according to this order. …
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