John 4 27

John 4:27 kjv

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

John 4:27 nkjv

And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why are You talking with her?"

John 4:27 niv

Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"

John 4:27 esv

Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you seek?" or, "Why are you talking with her?"

John 4:27 nlt

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?"

John 4 verses

John 4 27 Meaning

John 4:27 describes the disciples returning from Samaria and their astonishment at finding Jesus speaking openly with a Samaritan woman. Despite their surprise, their respect or reluctance to question Jesus's actions led them to remain silent, neither challenging the woman nor Jesus regarding the unconventional interaction. This moment underscores Jesus's transcendence of prevailing social, cultural, and religious norms, showcasing His inclusive ministry and mission.

John 4 27 Context

John chapter 4 unfolds at Jacob's well in Samaria, a region Jews typically avoided due to long-standing animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus, purposefully travelling through Samaria, initiates a conversation with a Samaritan woman who came to draw water. Their dialogue progresses from a request for water to a deep theological exchange about living water, true worship, and eventually, Jesus revealing Himself as the Messiah. The woman's morally ambiguous past (having had five husbands) would further have made her an unlikely candidate for a public, extensive conversation with a Jewish Rabbi. Jesus’s willingness to break multiple social conventions – speaking to a Samaritan, speaking to a woman publicly, and associating with a woman of her reputation – is central to the narrative. Verse 27 marks the abrupt return of the disciples into this already unconventional scene.

John 4 27 Word analysis

• Just then: (Greek: Epi toutō) - A common Greek idiomatic expression indicating something happened "at this point" or "at this very moment," emphasizing the timely and somewhat abrupt arrival of the disciples in the middle of a significant exchange.
• his disciples: These were Jewish men, adhering to prevailing societal and religious customs. Their understanding of appropriate behavior for a rabbi was steeped in tradition.
• came back: (Greek: ēphton) - Implies their return from Sychar, where they had gone to buy food (Jn 4:8), allowing Jesus to have His private, revolutionary conversation with the Samaritan woman.
• They were surprised: (Greek: ethaumazon - ἐθαύμαζον) - Imperfect tense, suggesting a continuing state of astonishment or bewilderment. Their surprise was not fleeting but likely lingered, reflecting a genuine internal conflict. This Greek word implies a mix of wonder and perhaps dismay or puzzlement.
• to find him talking with a woman: This was profoundly counter-cultural. In Jewish society, a rabbi typically would not engage in public, private, or prolonged conversation with any woman, let alone a Samaritan woman, and one known for her complex personal life. Rabbinic teaching stated, "Let no one speak with a woman in the street, not even his wife" (Pirkei Avot 1:5, though this exact text may be later, the sentiment was widely held). Such an act risked damaging a rabbi's reputation and invited scandal. This action highlights Jesus's disregard for man-made traditions that superseded God's universal love and accessibility.
• but no one asked: This is a powerful omission. Despite their palpable surprise, their reverence for Jesus and possibly their nascent understanding that He operated beyond their conventional norms, held their tongues. This shows their growing submission and respect for Jesus's authority, even if they didn't fully grasp His actions.
• "What do you want?": (Greek: Ti zeteis? - τί ζητεῖς;) - This question, if asked, would likely have been directed at the woman, implying she was imposing or demanding something from Jesus. It reflects an immediate societal judgment against her and the interaction.
• or "Why are you talking with her?": (Greek: Ti laleis met' autēs? - τί λαλεῖς μετ' αὐτῆς;) - This question would have been directed at Jesus, challenging His conduct directly. Their silence on this front underscores their inability or unwillingness to directly confront their Teacher, recognizing His authority or feeling a holy fear. Their lack of verbal challenge reflects a dawning recognition that Jesus operated by a higher, unconventional set of principles.

John 4 27 Bonus section

The disciples' surprise also stems from the rabbinic injunction against sharing "secret" (deep theological) teachings with women, much less a public, extended theological dialogue. Jesus, however, shares some of His most profound truths, including His identity as Messiah, with this woman. This highlights His radical inclusivity not just in association, but in the dispensation of spiritual revelation. Their silence signifies a form of implicit obedience to Jesus's unconventional actions, which would ultimately lead them to understand a ministry that breaks down "dividing walls of hostility" (Eph 2:14). This verse sets the stage for the Samaritan revival later in the chapter, showing how one outcast woman became a powerful evangelist, a stark contrast to the conventional evangelism models the disciples might have expected.

John 4 27 Commentary

John 4:27 encapsulates a pivotal moment showcasing Jesus as the supreme paradigm-shifter. The disciples' reaction—intense surprise followed by utter silence—reveals the magnitude of Jesus's defiance of the social and religious taboos of His day. Rabbis avoided public conversations with women, especially those of ill repute, and contact with Samaritans was forbidden. Yet, Jesus, undeterred by human customs, engaged a Samaritan woman in a profound theological discourse, prioritizing her spiritual need over social convention.

Their silence speaks volumes: it’s not passive acceptance, but a profound hesitation stemming from either deep respect for Jesus, fear of questioning their Teacher, or perhaps a glimmer of understanding that His ways transcended their prejudices. This moment serves as a subtle lesson for the disciples themselves, training them to look beyond societal biases and to grasp the inclusive nature of God's redemptive work. It's a testament to Jesus modeling kingdom values over cultural conformity, inviting all to partake in living water, regardless of their background or past. This narrative provides an enduring lesson for believers to dismantle their own biases and to extend grace and the Gospel universally, as Jesus did.