John tells us (v4) that Jesus “had” to go through Samaria. Context indicates that this divine compulsion was on account of a need for Jesus to teach his disciples at this foundational moment of his ministry about their missionary calling. The point of emphasis was the purpose of Christ’s mission which was to do the will of the One who sent Him. For the disciples, they were to learn that they must cultivate a passion and a vision for the harvest of souls.