Heracleon on the water-jar as capacity for life from the Savior
Heracleon says the water-jar is the capacity that receives life — standing for the Samaritan woman’s choice and disposition once she has received power from the Savior.
We need not force that sense onto the jar. The plain wording already shows her zeal: she leaves bodily concerns behind and runs to benefit her fellow citizens.
Greek
Ὁ δὲ Ἡρακλέων τὴν ὑδρίαν τὴν δεκτικὴν τῆς ζωῆς εἶναι λέγει, καὶ τοῦτο δηλοῦν τὴν προαίρεσιν καὶ τὴν διάθεσιν τῆς Σαμαρείτιδος, καὶ τὴν δύναμιν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ σωτῆρος λαβοῦσαν.
ἀλλ’ οὐκ ἀναγκαῖον εἰς τὴν ὑδρίαν ταῦτα βιάζεσθαι· ἱκανὸν γὰρ τὸ ῥητὸν τὴν σπουδὴν αὐτῆς ἐμφαίνειν καταλιπούσης τὰ σωματικὰ καὶ δραμούσης ἐπὶ τὴν τῶν πολιτῶν ὠφέλειαν.
About this text
Origen’s Commentary on John, Book 13 (later tomoi). Complete on this page: §§1–64.
English follows Preuschen, Origenes Werke IV (GCS 10, 1903). Heine FOTC was not used as wording. This page is Book 13 §§1–64 of the later books (13, 19, 20, 28, 32).
Witnesses
- Copy-text Preuschen, Origenes Werke IV = GCS 10 (1903) (Greek · Book 13 §§1–64)
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.