John 4

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

And he must needs go through Samaria.

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

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?

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

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.

So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

And many more believed because of his own word;

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

What does John 4:18 mean?

Explanation

John 4:18 is a verse from a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.

In this conversation, Jesus reveals his supernatural knowledge of the woman's personal life, stating that she had five husbands, and the man she is currently with is not her husband.

The literal meaning is clear: Jesus accurately tells the woman her history of marital relationships, which would have been unknowable to Him by ordinary means.

The deeper meaning suggests Jesus' ability to understand and speak to the personal histories of individuals.

It demonstrates His divine insight and also sets the stage for a discussion about living water, or spiritual life, which Jesus offers to all.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

At the time of this writing, Samaritans and Jews generally did not associate with one another due to deep historical and religious conflicts.

Marriage and divorce had certain cultural meanings at that time, and women were often dependent on men for social and financial standing.

Having had five husbands could signify a number of possibilities, including widowhood, divorce, or social instability.

By stating this fact, Jesus breaks cultural norms by engaging with a Samaritan woman and discussing her personal life, something that would have been seen as inappropriate for a Jewish rabbi.

Theological Insights

Within Christianity, this verse offers multiple insights.

From a traditional viewpoint, it reflects Jesus' omniscience and the concept that nothing is hidden from God.

Some theologians also see this exchange as indicative of how Jesus deals with sin, not with condemnation but by bringing it to light for the possibility of forgiveness and transformation.

There is also an insight into Jesus' mission to bring salvation beyond the Jewish people to include all nations, as seen in his interaction with the Samaritan woman.

Practical Applications

In a modern context, this verse can be applied in several practical ways. It reminds believers of the importance of honesty and transparency in one's spiritual life, as Jesus is aware of all personal aspects.

Moreover, it encourages individuals not to judge others by their past, as Jesus offers grace and new beginnings.

This verse can also be an encouragement to engage with those who are different from us, breaking down cultural and societal barriers.

Cross-References

John 4:29: "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"
John 2:24-25: "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."
Hebrews 4:13: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
John 8:3-11: The story of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus teaches about judgment and forgiveness.
Luke 19:1-10: The story of Zacchaeus demonstrates Jesus' knowledge of people's lives and his willingness to seek out and save the lost.

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text is "οὐκ ἔστιν σου ἀνήρ" (ouk estin sou anēr), which translates directly as "is not your husband." The term "ἀνήρ" (anēr) can mean husband or man, implying either a marital or gender-specific significance.

The entire passage of John 4 reveals Jesus' insight using present tense ("οὐκ ἔστιν" - "is not"), suggesting a current state or ongoing situation regarding her personal life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing John 4:18 with other cultures or religions, one might look at how prophecy and knowledge of personal histories are regarded.

For instance, in Greek mythology, figures like the Oracle at Delphi were said to have knowledge of people's pasts, presents, and futures.

In other religious traditions, such as Hinduism, sages called 'rishis' were believed to have deep insight into individuals' lives.

These comparisons highlight a common human fascination with supernatural knowledge and wisdom across various cultures and religions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not directly intersect with empirical or experimental findings.

However, in exploring the human mind, psychology recognizes the profound impact of one's personal history and relationships on their behavior and mental health.

The acknowledgment of a person's past, as Jesus does, aligns with modern therapeutic practices that address past experiences as part of the healing process.

Commentaries

Commentaries on John 4:18 vary in interpretation.

Some experts focus on the supernatural element of Jesus' knowledge, while others emphasize the aspect of societal norms being broken by Jesus engaging with a Samaritan woman.

Commentators like Matthew Henry and John Calvin refer to this moment as both a display of divine knowledge and a pivotal turning point in the woman's faith journey.

Modern commentaries might delve into the text's implications for intercultural dialogue and inclusion, as well as highlighting the transformative power of encountering Jesus.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 4:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?