Final answer:
According to John 4:21, Jesus indicated to the Samaritan woman that the true worship of God would not be confined to any specific location, like the mountain or Jerusalem, but would be carried out in spirit and truth, reflecting a departure from the literal worship places of the Old Testament.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to John 4:21, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that the time is coming when true worshippers will worship the Father neither on the mountain nor in Jerusalem. This indicates a shift from physical locations to a more spiritual form of worship that isn't confined to any particular place. The emphasis is placed on the worship of God in spirit and truth rather than through physical idols or specific places. This conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman reflects a broader theological theme in Christianity of moving away from the traditional Jewish places and ways of worship, which Jesus was fulfilling and transcending in His ministry.
This shift away from physical idols aligns with the commandments provided in Exodus 20:4–5 and 20:5-6, where it's explicitly commanded not to create or worship idols. The worship of God should be direct and not mediated through any graven image. Moses, upon seeing the Israelites worshipping a golden calf as described in Exodus, demonstrates the seriousness of this commandment by breaking the tablets upon which the commandments were inscribed. This historical context underscores the transition from Old Testament locations and practices of worship to the New Testament perspective that Jesus introduced.