the one who baptizes with both water and the Spirit. He has made available life-giving water to the Samaritan villagers. Now, in this story, the water which is seen as a means of healing is superseded by the healing presence of Jesus. John sets the scene artfully. A poor lame character has kept a pathetic vigil at this spot for thirty-eight years. He has come here daily in the vain hope of effecting a cure by getting into the healing waters at the moment their powers are made effective. Unfortunately,