John 4:25

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The woman {G1135} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, I know {G1492} that {G3754} Messias {G3323} cometh {G2064}, which {G3588} is called {G3004} Christ {G5547}: when {G3752} he {G1565} is come {G2064}, he will tell {G312} us {G2254} all things {G3956}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The woman replied, “I know that Mashiach is coming” (that is, “the one who has been anointed”). “When he comes, he will tell us everything.”

Berean Standard Bible

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”

American Standard Version

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In [John 4:25](/john/4-25 "John 4:25 - The Samaritan Woman's Expectation of the Messiah"), the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well articulates a profound spiritual expectation, declaring her knowledge that the "Messias," also called "Christ," is coming, and that upon His arrival, He will reveal all necessary truths. This statement is a pivotal moment in her dialogue with Jesus, showcasing her theological understanding and setting the stage for Jesus' direct and groundbreaking self-revelation as the awaited Anointed One.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the remarkable narrative of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, detailed in [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman"). The conversation begins with Jesus' unconventional request for water from a Samaritan woman, quickly escalating from physical needs to spiritual realities. Jesus' supernatural knowledge of her past, specifically her five husbands and current cohabitation, leads her to recognize Him as a prophet ([John 4:19](/john/4-19 "John 4:19 - Woman Recognizes Jesus as a Prophet")). Her subsequent question about the proper place of worship ([John 4:20](/john/4-20 "John 4:20 - Woman Asks About Worship")) indicates a desire for authoritative truth, which then naturally transitions to her expression of Messianic expectation in [John 4:25](/john/4-25 "John 4:25 - The Samaritan Woman's Expectation of the Messiah"). This statement serves as the immediate setup for Jesus' explicit declaration of His identity in [John 4:26](/john/4-26 "John 4:26 - Jesus Reveals Himself as the Messiah").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Samaritans were a distinct ethno-religious group, descendants of Israelites who intermarried with foreign settlers after the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC. They were despised by the Jews, who considered them ritually unclean and religiously heterodox. Unlike the Jews, who recognized the entire Old Testament canon, the Samaritans primarily accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses) as authoritative scripture. Their Messianic expectation, therefore, was largely rooted in passages from the Torah, particularly [Deuteronomy 18:15-18](/deuteronomy/18-15-18 "Deuteronomy 18:15-18 - The Prophet Like Moses"), which spoke of a prophet "like Moses" whom God would raise up. They anticipated this figure, often identified as the Taheb (the Restorer or Returner), who would clarify all religious disputes and reveal God's truth. The woman's statement reflects this unique Samaritan anticipation, demonstrating a shared, albeit distinct, longing for a divine deliverer and teacher.

* **Key Themes:** The conversation at the well, culminating in this verse, highlights several significant themes. Firstly, **Messianic Expectation** is paramount, demonstrating that the hope for a divine deliverer was not confined to Judaism but also present among the Samaritans, albeit with their own theological nuances. The woman's anticipation of the "Messias" who "will tell us all things" underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing the role of this awaited figure as the ultimate source of truth and clarity on spiritual matters, particularly regarding the contentious issue of worship ([John 4:20-24](/john/4-20-24 "John 4:20-24 - True Worship")). This also speaks to a universal **Longing for Truth and Authority**, as the woman, representative of humanity, yearns for definitive answers to life's deepest questions, especially concerning the nature of God and proper worship. Her statement prepares the way for Jesus to present Himself as the fulfillment of these deep-seated longings, as He is the ultimate revealer of God's truth and the very object of their hope.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Messias (Greek, _Messías'_):** This term, a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word _Mashiach_ (מָשִׁיחַ), means "Anointed One." In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and sometimes prophets were anointed with oil, signifying their consecration and divine appointment to a specific office. Over time, the term evolved to refer specifically to the promised, ultimate deliverer and king from the line of David, who would establish God's kingdom. The woman's use of this term indicates her understanding of this prophetic figure.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** This is the direct Greek equivalent of the Hebrew _Mashiach_ (Messiah), also meaning "Anointed One." The woman's use of both "Messias" and "Christ" in apposition demonstrates her awareness that the two terms are synonymous, signifying the same awaited figure. This highlights the theological convergence between Hebrew and Greek understandings of the prophetic deliverer.
* **tell (Greek, _anangéllō'_):** Derived from _aná_ (up, again) and the base of _ángelos_ (messenger), this verb means "to announce (in detail)," "to declare," or "to report." The woman's expectation that the Messiah "will tell us all things" (G3956, _pâs_, meaning "all, every, the whole") conveys her belief that this figure will provide comprehensive, authoritative, and exhaustive revelation, resolving all religious and theological ambiguities. This emphasizes the Messiah's role as the ultimate teacher and revealer of divine truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ:"** This opening clause establishes the woman's theological understanding and expectation. Despite her marginalized status and questionable past, she possesses a clear, albeit incomplete, knowledge of the awaited divine figure. Her use of "Messias" (Hebrew-derived) and "Christ" (Greek equivalent) demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of the identity of the Anointed One, indicating a widespread and deeply ingrained anticipation of this figure even among Samaritans.
* **"when he is come, he will tell us all things."** This second clause articulates the woman's specific hope concerning the Messiah's function. She anticipates that His arrival will bring complete and authoritative revelation, resolving all outstanding questions, particularly the contentious issue of proper worship and other theological disputes that divided Jews and Samaritans. This highlights her profound longing for definitive truth and divine guidance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Anticipation**, as the woman's statement is charged with the eager expectation of the Messiah's coming and His revelatory work. There is also significant **Irony** at play: the woman declares that the Messiah "will tell us all things," completely unaware that the very One she anticipates, who possesses all knowledge and truth, is standing directly before her, already engaging her in a revelatory conversation. This dramatic irony heightens the impact of Jesus' subsequent self-disclosure. Furthermore, her statement serves as **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for Jesus' explicit declaration in the very next verse ([John 4:26](/john/4-26 "John 4:26 - Jesus Reveals Himself as the Messiah")), where He directly affirms, "I that speak unto thee am he."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Samaritan woman's expectation of the Messiah as the ultimate revealer of truth connects deeply with the biblical theme of God's progressive revelation to humanity, culminating in Jesus Christ. Her longing for someone who "will tell us all things" reflects a universal human yearning for ultimate answers, clarity on divine matters, and resolution of life's deepest mysteries. This expectation is not merely an intellectual curiosity but a spiritual hunger for a definitive word from God. Her statement serves as a bridge, allowing Jesus to reveal Himself as the fulfillment of both Jewish and Samaritan Messianic hopes, demonstrating that He is the source of all truth, surpassing all previous prophets and teachers.

* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - God Promises a Prophet Like Moses")
* [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God; The Son Has Revealed Him")
* [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Samaritan woman's profound statement in [John 4:25](/john/4-25 "John 4:25 - The Samaritan Woman's Expectation of the Messiah") offers a powerful mirror for our own spiritual journey. Her longing for the Messiah to "tell us all things" resonates with the human desire for comprehensive truth and authoritative guidance in a world often characterized by confusion and conflicting ideologies. Her anticipation reminds us that true spiritual understanding and resolution of life's deepest questions are found not in human philosophies or fleeting trends, but in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. We are called to approach Him with the same earnest hunger for truth, recognizing that He has indeed come and revealed all that is necessary for life and godliness. Unlike the woman who awaited His arrival, we live in the age where the Messiah has been revealed, and His words, recorded in Scripture and illuminated by the Holy Spirit, continue to speak authoritatively into our lives, providing the clarity and direction we seek. Our task is to listen, learn, and live by the truths He has already revealed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "things" are you currently seeking clarity or truth on in your life, and how might you bring those questions to Christ?**
* **How does the Samaritan woman's anticipation of the Messiah challenge or affirm your own understanding of Jesus as the ultimate revealer of truth?**
* **In what ways do you actively seek to be "told all things" by Christ through His Word and Spirit today?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Samaritan woman use both "Messias" and "Christ" in the same sentence?**

Answer: The woman's use of both "Messias" and "Christ" demonstrates her understanding that these two terms refer to the same awaited figure. "Messias" (G3323, _Messías'_) is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word _Mashiach_ (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning "Anointed One." "Christ" (G5547, _Christós'_) is the direct Greek translation of the same Hebrew concept. By using both, she clarifies for Jesus (and for John's Greek-speaking audience) that she is referring to the universally anticipated "Anointed One." This shows a sophisticated theological awareness, indicating that the concept of the Messiah was understood across different cultural and linguistic groups, even if their specific expectations varied. It also highlights John's narrative technique of providing clarity for his readers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Samaritan woman's longing for the Messiah to "tell us all things" finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not merely a prophet who reveals part of the truth, but the very embodiment of truth and the complete revelation of God Himself. As the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), Jesus perfectly communicates the Father's character, will, and plan. The author of Hebrews declares that in these last days, God has spoken to us through His Son ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Speaks Through His Son")), demonstrating that all previous revelations were partial compared to the comprehensive truth found in Christ. Jesus Himself proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), asserting His unique position as the source of all ultimate reality and knowledge. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). Thus, the woman's deep yearning for a comprehensive revelation is not only met but infinitely surpassed by the person and work of Jesus, who stands before her as the very Anointed One, ready to disclose the deepest truths about God and true worship.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 1:49

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Daniel 9:24

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Daniel 9:26

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Matthew 1:16

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

John 1:41

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

John 1:42

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

John 4:42

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.