John 4 39

John 4:39 kjv

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

John 4:39 nkjv

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did."

John 4:39 niv

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."

John 4:39 esv

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did."

John 4:39 nlt

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!"

John 4 verses

MeaningJohn 4:39 reveals the immediate fruit of Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman: a significant number of Samaritans from her city came to believe in Him. Their initial belief was solely founded upon the woman's compelling personal testimony, specifically her proclamation that Jesus had supernaturally disclosed all her past deeds.

Cross References

ContextJohn 4:39 follows Jesus' deliberate journey through Samaria, a region historically and culturally hostile to Jews. He engaged in an unexpected conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar, breaking multiple social conventions regarding gender, ethnicity, and public interaction with an outcast. Through their dialogue, Jesus unveiled her personal life, demonstrating divine knowledge, and revealed Himself as the Messiah and the giver of living water, foreshadowing the shift from localized worship to spiritual worship. The woman, transformed by this encounter, immediately left her waterpot and hurried back to her city to share her personal experience of Jesus' prophetic insight. Verse 39 describes the initial response of the townsfolk to her enthusiastic testimony, marking the first significant embrace of the Gospel by a Samaritan community in John's narrative.

Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): Connects this verse to the preceding narrative, highlighting the immediate and direct result of the woman's actions and Jesus' ministry.
• many (πολλοὶ - polloi): Denotes a considerable number, not just a few, signifying a significant spiritual breakthrough among the Samaritans. It emphasizes the broad impact of the woman's testimony.
• of the Samaritans (ἐκ τῆς Σαμαρείας - ek tēs Samareias): Specifies the ethnic and geographical group, emphasizing the remarkable nature of their belief given the deep-seated antagonism between Jews and Samaritans. This showcases Jesus' boundary-breaking ministry.
• of that city (τῆς πόλεως ἐκείνης - tēs poleōs ekeinēs): Refers specifically to Sychar, localizing the evangelistic success.
• believed (ἐπίστευσαν - episteusan): From pisteuō, meaning to trust, have faith in, rely on. This perfective active verb indicates a decisive and immediate act of faith, signifying a turning point in their spiritual understanding and allegiance.
• on him (εἰς αὐτόν - eis auton): Specifies the object of their belief as Jesus Himself, recognizing Him as the Christ.
• for the saying (διὰ τὸν λόγον - dia ton logon): Highlights the instrumental cause of their belief – it was because of her specific words, her declaration. This emphasizes the power of spoken testimony.
• of the woman (τῆς γυναικὸς - tēs gynaikos): Underscores the unlikely source of their conviction; an individual known in the community for her problematic past, now transformed into an effective evangelist.
• which testified (μαρτυρούσης - martyrousēs): From martyreō, meaning to bear witness, give evidence. This is an active and continuous action, showing her bold and ongoing proclamation of what she had experienced.
• He told me (εἶπέν μοι - eipen moi): The core of her testimony; the simple, direct, yet profoundly impactful statement that Jesus knew her life.
• all that ever I did (πάντα ἃ ἐποίησα - panta ha epoiēsa): This is the clinching detail. Jesus’ supernatural knowledge of her hidden life, especially her numerous relationships, was undeniable proof of His divine insight or prophetic authority, validating her claim.

CommentaryJohn 4:39 marks the powerful ripple effect of a transformed life. The woman of Samaria, once an outcast due to her lifestyle, became the first notable evangelist in Samaria. Her conviction, born from Jesus' supernatural knowledge of her "all that I did," became the catalyst for the city's initial belief. This verse demonstrates that God can use the most unexpected individuals and their past, even their former transgressions, to bear powerful witness to Christ's divine nature and messianic identity. Their belief was rooted in her credible testimony, providing the impetus for them to seek out Jesus themselves (as shown in subsequent verses). It underscores the principle that personal, authentic witness is often the most effective tool in evangelism, opening hearts to the message of salvation.

Bonus sectionThis verse illustrates several profound spiritual truths. Firstly, it showcases Jesus' radical love and strategic missional outreach, as He intentionally reached out to a historically despised people group, the Samaritans, shattering prevailing racial and religious prejudices. Secondly, it highlights the transformative power of a personal encounter with Christ: a life steeped in sin quickly becomes a beacon of truth. The woman’s past was not a barrier but became the very foundation for her powerful testimony, demonstrating that grace triumphs over judgment. Finally, it previews the expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish borders, fulfilling prophetic promises of God drawing all nations to Himself, beginning with a people considered spiritual outsiders. This small act of faith from "many" Samaritans signals a significant step towards the worldwide mission of the Church.