Peter, Paul, Mary, Jesus, and Judaism



(Jacob's Well in 1934)

When Peter, Paul and Mary sang Jesus Met the Woman at the Well, that age-old story was popularized within a whole new generation.  These Nick Cave lyrics conclude that Jesus is “the prophet” because he knew everything the woman at the well had ever done.

In John 4, Jesus visits the Samarian village of Sychar (formerly Shechem, perhaps the first place that Abraham stopped at when he entered Canaan).  While there, Jesus rested at the site called Jacob’s Well by many Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Samaritans.  A Samaritan woman then also came to the well.  Jesus asked her for a drink, and she responded with surprise because Samaritans and Jews didn’t usually associate with one another.  Jesus then told her:  Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never

thirst (John 4:13, KJV).  After Jesus reveals what he knows about her checkered past, she then replies:  Sir, I  perceive that You are a prophet (John 4:19, KJV).

Noel Stookey - the “Paul” in Peter, Paul and Mary – came to a similar realization about the holiness of Jesus.  In fact, Stookey has said that The Wedding Song (There Is Love) came through him directly from Jesus.  Songfacts.com reports that Stookey was “given” this song after praying, and that all he needed to do was “allow the pencil to move across the page.”  The original lyrics focus upon the presence of Jesus/God within marriage.  Royalties from this song go to the Public Domain Foundation, which supports music for social change.

The Wedding Song was originally offered to Peter Yarrow – the “Peter” in Peter, Paul and Mary – as a

wedding gift.  Yarrow, whose religion is Judaism, has also been heavily involved in social justice.  In 2000, he founded Operation Respect, which focuses upon teaching conflict resolution within the schools.

Mary Travers – also of Peter, Paul and Mary – died from complications of leukemia in September 2009. 

Answers.com reports that her religion was also Judaism. 

Resources

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAe8NXq8Lbs

http://www.lyrics007.com/Nick%20Cave%20Lyrics/Jesus%20Met%20The%20Woman%20At%20The%20Well%20Lyrics.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Cave

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Yarrow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Stookey

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Travers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter,_Paul_and_Mary

http://www.pdfoundation.org/weddingsong.cfm

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=8313

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob's_Well

Copyright June 30, 2011 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved