Prostration (προσκυνέω) as a Definitive Sign of the Final Messenger in Jesus’ Conversation with the Samaritan Woman (John 4:19-26)

Abstract

This paper endeavors to show that Jesus’ words in John 4:19-26 are best understood and fulfilled by the ṣalāh (prayer) bestowed on Prophet Muḥammad and his followers. In the passage, Jesus explains to a Samaritan woman that the ritual act of prostration, e.g., Greek προσκυνέω (proskyneō), in the future will not be limited to certain sacred sites like Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim. Although the meaning of proskyneō in Greek is “to prostrate,” all Bibles that the authors consulted have translated the word into English as “worship.” When the word proskyneō is translated as “prostrate,” it becomes clear that it refers to the communal prayer of prostration, similar to the ṣalāh (prayer) practiced by Muslims. Qur’an 48:29 mentions that the similitude of the Muslim prayer of ṣalāh is mentioned in the Torah. The verse reads: “You see them bowing and prostrating [in ṣalāh], seeking bounty from God and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration. That is their description in the Torah.” The focus of this paper is interpreting Jesus’ words (John 4:19-24) in light of Qur’an 48:29. We feel that the paper decisively demonstrates that the ṣalāh’s communal prostration is an unmistakable fulfillment of biblical expectations as expressed in the prophetic words of Jesus.