John 4:30

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} they went {G1831} out of {G1537} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} came {G2064} unto {G4314} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They left the town and began coming toward him.

Berean Standard Bible

So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus.

American Standard Version

They went out of the city, and were coming to him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:30 vividly portrays the eager and collective response of the Samaritan people from Sychar as they leave their city to meet Jesus. This verse marks a pivotal moment, demonstrating the profound impact of the Samaritan woman's testimony and the immediate breaking down of deep-seated social and religious barriers, as an entire community is drawn to investigate the claims of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the direct and powerful culmination of the preceding narrative in [John 4](/john/4 "John Chapter 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman"). Having encountered Jesus at Jacob's well, the Samaritan woman, deeply impacted by His supernatural knowledge and revelation of Himself as the Messiah, left her waterpot and hurried back to Sychar. Her urgent invitation to her fellow citizens, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" ([John 4:29](/john/4-29 "John 4:29 - The Samaritan Woman's Invitation")), sets the stage for the collective movement described in John 4:30. The people's immediate departure from the city signifies their receptiveness and curiosity, forming a crucial bridge to the subsequent verses where many come to believe in Jesus, not just because of the woman's word, but because they heard Him themselves ([John 4:41-42](/john/4-41-42 "John 4:41-42 - Many Samaritans Believe")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans was profound, rooted in religious, ethnic, and political differences stretching back centuries. Samaritans were considered half-breeds and heretics by Jews, who typically avoided all interaction with them, including traveling through Samaria. Jesus' intentional journey through Samaria ([John 4:4](/john/4-4 "John 4:4 - Jesus Must Go Through Samaria")) and His engagement with a Samaritan woman, particularly one with a questionable reputation, was revolutionary. The fact that an entire Samaritan community would "go out of the city" to meet a Jewish prophet, rather than maintaining their traditional separation, underscores the radical nature of Jesus' ministry and the transformative power of the woman's testimony, which transcended deeply ingrained prejudices.
* **Key Themes:** John 4:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John. It exemplifies the **power of personal witness**, showing how one individual's transformed life can draw an entire community to Christ, echoing Jesus' later commission to be His witnesses ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")). It highlights Jesus' **universal mission**, demonstrating that His salvation extends beyond the confines of Judaism to all people, regardless of their background or social standing, fulfilling the promise of a Savior for the world ([John 4:42](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - Savior of the World")). Furthermore, the Samaritans' proactive "going out" illustrates the theme of **seeking and finding**, emphasizing that genuine spiritual hunger leads to an active pursuit of truth and encounter with the living Christ, a principle Jesus Himself taught ([Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This verb, G1831, means "to issue (literally or figuratively); to come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad." In this context, it signifies a deliberate and collective movement *out* of their established dwelling place, indicating a break from routine and a purposeful journey towards Jesus. It conveys the idea of a significant number of people leaving the security of their city.
* **city (Greek, _pólis'_):** G4172 refers to "a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)." The mention of "the city" (Sychar) emphasizes the communal nature of the response. It's not just a few individuals, but people from the collective urban center, suggesting a widespread impact of the woman's message and a public, rather than private, demonstration of interest in Jesus.
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** G2064, a primary verb, means "to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)." Here, in the imperfect tense (as noted in the original draft's linguistic insight), it suggests a continuous or repeated action—people were not just arriving individually, but a steady stream or crowd was in motion towards Jesus. This conveys a sense of eager anticipation and a significant collective response.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then they went out of the city":** This clause describes the immediate and collective action of the Samaritan people. The "then" (οὖν, _oûn_) indicates a direct consequence of the woman's testimony in [John 4:29](/john/4-29 "John 4:29 - The Samaritan Woman's Invitation"). Their departure from the city signifies their willingness to leave their familiar surroundings and prejudices, indicating an active pursuit of the truth presented by the woman. It's a physical manifestation of their awakened curiosity and spiritual hunger.
* **"and came unto him":** This second clause specifies the destination of their movement—Jesus. The imperfect tense of "came" (ἤρχοντο) suggests a continuous stream or a steady flow of people approaching Him, rather than a single, instantaneous arrival. This highlights the widespread and eager nature of their response, demonstrating a significant communal interest in the one the woman proclaimed as the Christ. Their coming "unto him" underscores their desire for a personal encounter and direct verification of her claims.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary techniques to convey its profound message. **Narrative Progression** is evident as the verse serves as a direct and immediate follow-through to the Samaritan woman's evangelistic appeal, propelling the story forward from her testimony to the community's response. The use of the imperfect tense for "came" (ἤρχοντο) creates a sense of **Dynamic Action** and **Immediacy**, portraying a continuous stream of people moving out of the city, emphasizing the widespread and urgent nature of their curiosity and desire to meet Jesus. Furthermore, the scene presents a powerful **Contrast** to typical Jewish-Samaritan relations, highlighting Jesus' groundbreaking ministry that transcends ethnic and social barriers. The collective movement "out of the city" to "unto him" also functions as **Symbolism**, representing a spiritual pilgrimage away from their former ways and towards the source of living water and truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:30 is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of a single, authentic witness and God's expansive plan of salvation. It illustrates that the message of Christ is not confined by social, ethnic, or historical boundaries, but resonates with those who are open to truth, regardless of their background. The Samaritans' willingness to leave their city and come to Jesus foreshadows the future expansion of the Gospel beyond Israel to the Gentiles, demonstrating God's desire for all people to come to a saving knowledge of His Son. This eagerness to seek Jesus out, rather than waiting passively, underscores the principle that faith often begins with an active pursuit of God.

* [Isaiah 55:1](/isaiah/55-1 "Isaiah 55:1 - Come to the Waters")
* [Matthew 10:5-6](/matthew/10-5-6 "Matthew 10:5-6 - Jesus' Instructions to the Twelve")
* [Acts 8:5-8](/acts/8-5-8 "Acts 8:5-8 - Philip's Ministry in Samaria")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in John 4:30 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God often uses unexpected instruments, like the Samaritan woman, to accomplish His purposes, empowering ordinary people with extraordinary impact. Our personal testimony, born from a genuine encounter with Christ, holds immense power to stir curiosity and draw others to Him. Just as the Samaritans were willing to "go out" and investigate, we are called to cultivate an open-minded and seeking spirit, both in ourselves and in those we share the Gospel with, encouraging them to personally encounter Jesus. This verse also challenges us to dismantle any barriers of prejudice or social distinction that might hinder us from sharing the inclusive love of Christ with all people, recognizing that God's desire is for everyone to come to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Samaritan woman's simple, yet powerful, testimony inspire your own approach to sharing your faith?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Samaritans, need to "go out of our city" (i.e., leave our comfort zones or preconceived notions) to truly encounter Jesus or serve others?**
* **What prejudices or societal barriers might hinder the Gospel's reach today, and how can we actively work to overcome them, following Jesus' example?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Samaritans 'going out of the city' to meet Jesus?**

Answer: The Samaritans 'going out of the city' is highly significant on multiple levels. Firstly, it demonstrates their immediate and profound response to the Samaritan woman's testimony, indicating a genuine spiritual curiosity and openness to investigate her claims about Jesus being the Messiah, despite their historical animosity towards Jews. Secondly, it signifies a physical and symbolic departure from their traditional isolation and prejudices. By leaving the security of their city walls, they were actively seeking an encounter with a Jewish prophet, a radical act that underscored their hunger for truth. This proactive movement foreshadows their eventual belief in Jesus, not merely on the woman's word, but because they heard Him themselves and knew Him to be "the Savior of the world" ([John 4:41-42](/john/4-41-42 "John 4:41-42 - Many Samaritans Believe")). It highlights that a true desire for Christ often involves taking initiative and stepping outside of one's comfort zone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:30, depicting the Samaritans' eager exodus from their city to meet Jesus, powerfully foreshadows Christ's ultimate mission to gather all peoples to Himself. Jesus, the true [Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd") who lays down His life for His sheep, intentionally crossed cultural and social boundaries to bring salvation to those considered outsiders, fulfilling prophetic declarations of a Messiah for the nations ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles")). The Samaritans' coming to Him is a beautiful picture of humanity's spiritual pilgrimage towards the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who takes away the sin of the world. This scene anticipates the Great Commission, where disciples are commanded to make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), demonstrating that Christ's redemptive work extends far beyond any single ethnicity or religious group, drawing all who are thirsty to the [living water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Living Water") He offers. Their seeking Him out underscores that He is the ultimate magnetic center of all truth and salvation, drawing all people to Himself, just as He later declared, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Will Draw All People")).

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

Romans 5:20

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Matthew 12:40

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 12:42

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon [is] here.

Acts 13:42

¶ And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Luke 17:16

And fell down on [his] face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Luke 17:18

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Matthew 20:16

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.