John 4:26

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

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto her {G846}, I {G1473} that speak {G2980} unto thee {G4671} am {G1510} he.

Yeshua said to her, “I, the person speaking to you, am he.”

Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.”

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

Commentary

John 4:26 presents one of the most profound and direct self-disclosures of Jesus in the Gospels. In a conversation that began with a request for water, it culminates in Jesus unequivocally revealing His true identity to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.

Context

This pivotal verse occurs during Jesus's journey through Samaria, a region often avoided by Jews due to deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity. Jesus intentionally engages a Samaritan woman, breaking several social and cultural taboos of the day: a Jewish man speaking to a Samaritan, a Rabbi speaking to a woman in public, and a holy man speaking to a woman with a questionable reputation. Their dialogue progresses from physical water to living water, then to true worship, culminating in the woman's statement in John 4:25: "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things." Her expectation sets the stage for Jesus's direct declaration.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation: This verse is a powerful moment of divine self-disclosure. Jesus, who often spoke in parables or veiled terms about His identity, here states plainly, "I that speak unto thee am He." It's an unreserved affirmation of His Messianic claim.
  • Messianic Identity: Jesus confirms He is the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ. This revelation is given not to a disciple or a religious leader, but to a socially marginalized woman, underscoring the universal reach of His mission.
  • Breaking Barriers: The revelation to the Samaritan woman highlights Jesus's ministry transcending conventional boundaries—ethnic, gender, and social status. It demonstrates that salvation and truth are available to all who seek it, regardless of their background.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "I that speak unto thee am [he]" is "Egō eimi" (ἐγώ εἰμι). While the KJV adds "he" for clarity in English, the original Greek simply states "I AM." This phrase carries profound theological weight, echoing the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14 ("I AM THAT I AM"). By using "Egō eimi," Jesus is not merely saying, "I am the one," but implicitly claiming divine authority and identity, aligning Himself with the eternal, self-existent God. This powerful declaration is a hallmark of John's Gospel, appearing in other significant "I AM" statements such as "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58) and "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11).

Practical Application

John 4:26 reminds us that Jesus is ready to reveal Himself to those who genuinely seek Him, regardless of their past or present circumstances. It encourages us to approach Jesus with our questions and spiritual thirst, knowing He is the ultimate source of truth and life. His willingness to break social norms to reach one individual highlights the personal and inclusive nature of His love. For believers, it reinforces the central truth of Jesus's identity as the Christ, the Son of God, who alone can declare all things and satisfy our deepest spiritual needs. This encounter serves as a powerful testament to the fact that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, but all are one.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 8:24 (6 votes)

    I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

  • Mark 14:61 (5 votes)

    But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

  • Mark 14:62 (5 votes)

    And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

  • Romans 10:20 (4 votes)

    But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

  • Romans 10:21 (4 votes)

    But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

  • John 9:35 (4 votes)

    ¶ Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

  • John 9:37 (4 votes)

    And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.