John 4:18

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

For {G1063} thou hast had {G2192} five {G4002} husbands {G435}; and {G2532} he whom {G3739} thou {G2192} now {G3568} hast {G2192} is {G2076} not {G3756} thy {G4675} husband {G435}: in that {G5124} saidst thou {G2046} truly {G227}.

You’ve had five husbands in the past, and you’re not married to the man you’re living with now! You’ve spoken the truth!”

In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.”

for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly.

Context of John 4:18

The verse John 4:18 occurs during Jesus' pivotal encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Samaria. This interaction was unconventional, as Jews typically avoided Samaritans, and a man speaking to a woman alone in public was unusual. The conversation began with Jesus asking her for water, then quickly shifted to His offer of "living water", which would quench spiritual thirst forever. When the woman, perhaps sensing a deeper meaning, tried to deflect by mentioning her physical need for water, Jesus suddenly and directly brought up her personal life, leading to this profound statement about her marital history.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus' Divine Knowledge: This verse is a powerful demonstration of Jesus' omniscience. He knew intimate details of her life without being told, revealing His divine nature and ability to see beyond the surface (John 2:25). This knowledge was not for condemnation but for revelation and drawing her to truth.
  • Gentle, Yet Direct, Confrontation of Sin: Jesus confronts her past and present living situation directly, but not harshly. His purpose is to expose her spiritual need and guide her to repentance and faith, rather than to shame her.
  • Truth and Honesty: The woman's response, "in that saidst thou truly," signifies a moment of transparent honesty. Her acknowledgment of Jesus' words validates His truthfulness and opens the door for deeper spiritual conversation. This honesty is a crucial step towards spiritual transformation.
  • Grace and Redemption: Despite her complex and perhaps scandalous past, Jesus engages her with respect and offers her the gift of eternal life. This encounter highlights God's grace extending to all, regardless of their past mistakes or social standing.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "in that saidst thou truly" is a direct and unambiguous affirmation of the woman's truthful admission. The Greek word for "truly" (alēthōs) emphasizes the absolute accuracy of Jesus' statement and her immediate recognition of it. There is no room for denial; Jesus' words strike at the heart of her reality. This moment of divine truth is the catalyst for her spiritual awakening.

Practical Application

John 4:18 serves as a reminder that Jesus knows us completely – our past, our present struggles, and our deepest needs. His knowledge is not to expose us for judgment, but to draw us into a relationship with Him.

  • Honesty Before God: Like the Samaritan woman, we are called to be honest with God about our lives, our sins, and our circumstances. He already knows, but our confession opens the way for His grace and healing.
  • God's Unconditional Love: This passage powerfully illustrates that God's love and offer of salvation are not contingent on our past perfection. He reaches out to those with broken pasts, offering new life and forgiveness (Romans 5:8).
  • Jesus' Compassionate Approach: We learn from Jesus' example to approach others with truth and compassion, aiming to lead them to spiritual revelation rather than mere condemnation.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 3:20

    ¶ Surely [as] a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:10

    ¶ And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:

  • 1 Corinthians 7:11

    But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to [her] husband: and let not the husband put away [his] wife.

  • Mark 10:12

    And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

  • Genesis 34:7

    And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard [it]: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

  • Genesis 34:8

    And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.

  • Ezekiel 16:32

    [But as] a wife that committeth adultery, [which] taketh strangers instead of her husband!

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