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

John 4 39 Meaning

John 4:39 reveals that a substantial number of Samaritans from Sychar came to believe in Jesus. Their faith was kindled not by witnessing a miracle, but by the personal testimony of the Samaritan woman. Her declaration, that Jesus knew her entire past, served as a profound witness to His divine insight and identity, leading many in her city to accept Him as Messiah.

John 4 39 Context

John 4 describes Jesus' journey through Samaria, a region typically avoided by Jews due to deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity. He purposefully engages with a Samaritan woman, a social outcast, at Jacob's well. Their dialogue, profound and revelatory, culminates in Jesus revealing His divine identity as the Messiah, by demonstrating His supernatural knowledge of her personal history. This personal encounter transforms the woman, moving her from spiritual ignorance and social stigma to becoming an eager evangelist for her city. Verse 39 follows immediately after her rapid departure to share her astonishing encounter, marking the initial response of the Samaritans to her simple, yet powerful, testimony.

John 4 39 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): Functions as a conjunction, connecting this verse to the woman's immediately preceding actions and testimony (Jn 4:28-29). It signifies a direct consequence.
• many (πολλοὶ - polloi): Implies a significant number, indicating widespread acceptance. This wasn't just a few individuals but a noticeable group, pointing to the profound impact of the woman's word. It highlights the expansive reach of the Gospel, even to a disdained group.
• of the Samaritans (τῶν Σαμαριτῶν - tōn Samaritōn): Refers to the people of Samaria, an ethnic and religious group largely despised by Jews. Their belief signifies a radical breakthrough of traditional barriers and prejudices. Their mixed heritage and different interpretation of Mosaic Law made them an unexpected group to readily embrace the Jewish Messiah.
• of that city (τῆς πόλεως ἐκείνης - tēs poleōs ekeinēs): Refers specifically to Sychar. The designation emphasizes the local impact of the woman's testimony, beginning in her own community.
• believed (ἐπίστευσαν - episteusan): This Greek verb is in the aorist indicative, denoting a definite, completed action in the past. It signifies genuine, saving faith, not merely intellectual ascent but a conviction leading to trust in Jesus. It suggests a transformation began at this point.
• on Him (εἰς αὐτόν - eis auton): "Him" refers unequivocally to Jesus. The preposition eis (into) often indicates movement toward, emphasizing a trust that is directed and invested in Jesus. He is the sole object of their faith.
• because of (διὰ - dia): Identifies the primary cause or reason for their belief. It highlights the direct correlation between the woman's testimony and the Samaritans' faith.
• the word (τὸν λόγον - ton logon): Refers to the message or report shared by the woman. It emphasizes the content and substance of her testimony, not just her act of speaking. This "word" was personal, powerful, and verifiable in its claim of divine knowledge.
• of the woman (τῆς γυναικός - tēs gynaikos): The messenger. Her low social status and questionable reputation ironically made her an effective, unbiased witness, underscoring that God uses the overlooked to achieve His purposes (1 Cor 1:27).
• who testified (μαρτυρούσης - martyrousēs): A present participle, suggesting her ongoing act of witnessing, or the clear, strong nature of her testimony. This isn't just a casual remark but a deliberate and impactful declaration. Her martyria (witness) initiated their pistis (faith).
• "He told me" (Εἶπέν μοι - Eipen moi): A direct quote of the woman's words, providing the specific content of her testimony. This was her personal experience of Jesus' supernatural knowledge. It was direct, undeniable proof for her.
• "all that I ever did" (πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησα - panta hosa epoiēsa): This is the core of her revelation. Jesus knew the intimate details of her life, including her multiple marriages and current cohabitation (Jn 4:17-18). This demonstrates omniscience, a quality of God alone, and served as powerful evidence for His prophetic and divine authority. It was a private truth made public, validating His claims.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him": This phrase highlights the unlikely recipients of faith – Samaritans, often deemed 'unclean' and ostracized by mainstream Judaism – and their collective response to Jesus. It immediately signals the breaking of long-standing social and religious barriers through Jesus' ministry. Their belief in 'Him' indicates personal commitment to Jesus as the object of their trust.
• "because of the word of the woman who testified": This section emphasizes the critical role of human testimony, especially from an unexpected source. The woman's personal declaration was the direct catalyst for belief, showing the contagious nature of genuine experience with Christ. The simplicity and earnestness of her "word" proved more effective than any grand sign or sophisticated argument.
• "He told me all that I ever did": This precise statement is the foundation of the woman's powerful testimony. It conveys Jesus' supernatural knowledge, specifically His ability to see into her past, uncovering even hidden aspects of her life. This divine insight validated His authority and revealed Him to be more than a prophet, resonating deeply with the Samaritans' expectation of a Messiah who would reveal all things (Jn 4:25).

John 4 39 Bonus section

This verse serves as an early indication of the universal appeal of the Gospel, extending beyond Jewish boundaries. The Samaritans, often depicted in opposition to the Jews, quickly embraced Jesus' message. The woman, by being the catalyst for this mass belief, fulfills an unexpected evangelistic role, reversing societal norms that would typically silence her. Her testimony didn't require theological sophistication; it was her personal, undeniable experience of Jesus' divine knowledge that persuaded others. This incident prefigures the later mission to the Samaritans found in the book of Acts, confirming their openness to the Good News and God's plan to include them. The profound impact of her testimony demonstrates the principle that witnessing, rooted in personal experience of Christ's character, is incredibly effective in drawing others to Him.

John 4 39 Commentary

John 4:39 is a testament to the transformative power of personal witness and God's expansive grace. Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because an ostracized woman simply relayed her encounter with Him, highlighting His supernatural knowledge. Her simple yet profound testimony, "He told me all that I ever did," bypassed social conventions and prejudice, speaking directly to the authenticity of Jesus as the all-knowing Messiah. This verse powerfully illustrates that God can use the most unexpected individuals and the most direct, personal truths to draw people to Himself, breaking down religious and cultural divides in the process. It emphasizes that divine revelation of one's inner reality often serves as a potent pathway to faith.