John 4:39

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} many {G4183} of the Samaritans {G4541} of {G1537} that {G1565} city {G4172} believed {G4100} on {G1519} him {G846} for {G1223} the saying {G3056} of the woman {G1135}, which testified {G3140},{G3754} He told {G2036} me {G3427} all {G3956} that ever {G3745} I did {G4160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Many people from that town in Shomron put their trust in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all the things I did.”

Berean Standard Bible

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”

American Standard Version

And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things thateverI did.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:39 powerfully illustrates the immediate and widespread impact of the Samaritan woman's personal testimony in her city, Sychar. Her encounter with Jesus, marked by His supernatural revelation of her past, served as a compelling catalyst, leading many of her fellow Samaritans to place their initial belief in Him. This verse underscores the transformative power of a genuine witness and the ripple effect of divine encounter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the Samaritan woman's dramatic return to Sychar after her life-altering encounter with Jesus at Jacob's Well. Having been deeply impacted by Jesus' divine knowledge and His self-revelation as the Messiah ([John 4:25-26](/john/4-25-26 "John 4:25-26 - Jesus Reveals Himself to the Woman")), she leaves her water pot, a symbol of her former life and purpose, and rushes into the city. Her urgent, enthusiastic proclamation in [John 4:29](/john/4-29 "John 4:29 - The Woman's Testimony")—"Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"—directly precipitates the response described in [John 4:30](/john/4-30 "John 4:30 - Samaritans Come to Jesus") and culminates in the widespread belief mentioned in [John 4:39](/john/4-39 "John 4:39 - Many Samaritans Believe"). This verse sets the stage for the Samaritans' deeper, personal faith in [John 4:41-42](/john/4-41-42 "John 4:41-42 - Samaritans Believe Because of Jesus' Word"), demonstrating the progression from indirect testimony to direct experience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The interaction between Jesus and the Samaritans was profoundly counter-cultural. Historically, deep-seated animosity and prejudice existed between Jews and Samaritans, stemming from centuries of religious and ethnic division. Samaritans were descendants of Israelites who intermarried with foreign peoples during the Assyrian exile, developing their own distinct religious practices centered on Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem ([John 4:20](/john/4-20 "John 4:20 - Worship on Mount Gerizim")). Jews typically avoided all contact with Samaritans, viewing them as heretics and half-breeds. Jesus' intentional journey through Samaria ([John 4:4](/john/4-4 "John 4:4 - Jesus Must Go Through Samaria")), His direct engagement with a Samaritan woman, and His willingness to stay in their city ([John 4:40](/john/4-40 "John 4:40 - Jesus Stays in Sychar")) shattered these deeply entrenched social and religious barriers. This event highlights Jesus' radical inclusivity and His mission to reconcile all people to God, transcending human-made divisions.
* **Key Themes:** John 4:39 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of John and broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **transformative power of personal testimony**, demonstrating how an individual's authentic witness, born of a genuine encounter with Christ, can effectively draw others to Him. The verse also underscores **Jesus' divine omniscience**, as His ability to know "all that ever I did" was the specific detail that validated His messianic claims and convinced both the woman and, subsequently, her community. Furthermore, this episode highlights the **breaking down of ethnic and social barriers** in Christ, foreshadowing the universal scope of the Gospel message that would extend beyond Israel to "the uttermost part of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). The initial belief prompted by the woman's words also sets the stage for a **deeper, personal faith** that comes from directly hearing Jesus, as seen in the subsequent verses of [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** G4100, from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). This word signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it implies an active trust, a commitment, and a reliance upon Jesus. The Samaritans' belief was an initial step of faith, moving towards a deeper personal relationship with Him.
* **woman (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** G1135, probably from the base of γίνομαι; a woman; specially, a wife. In this context, it refers to the Samaritan woman, a figure of profound significance given her social standing, ethnic background, and moral past. Her gender and background would typically disqualify her as a credible witness in that society, yet God powerfully used her.
* **testified (Greek, _martyréō'_):** G3140, from μάρτυς; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively). The woman's testimony was a direct, personal witness to what Jesus had revealed about her life. It was not a theological discourse but a simple, compelling declaration of fact based on her experience, which resonated deeply with her community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him":** This clause reveals the immediate and significant impact of the woman's testimony. "Many" suggests a substantial number, indicating a widespread positive response in Sychar. Their "belief on him" (Greek: _eis auton_) signifies not just intellectual acceptance of facts about Jesus, but a movement of faith *into* or *unto* Him, indicating a nascent personal commitment. This is a crucial first step toward discipleship.
* **"for the saying of the woman":** This phrase identifies the direct cause of their initial belief. It was not a sermon from Jesus, but the woman's simple, yet powerful, "saying" or word (_logos_). This highlights the instrumental role of human testimony in evangelism, even from an unexpected source. The Holy Spirit used her words to prepare their hearts.
* **"which testified, He told me all that ever I did.":** This final clause provides the content of the woman's compelling testimony. Her witness was rooted in the undeniable fact of Jesus' supernatural knowledge of her entire life, including her hidden sins. This specific detail served as irrefutable evidence of His divine insight and validated her claim that He might indeed be the Messiah, sparking curiosity and conviction among her fellow townspeople.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Testimony** is central, as the entire verse hinges on the woman's direct witness to Jesus' divine knowledge. Her words, "He told me all that ever I did," are presented as **Direct Speech**, lending authenticity and immediacy to her proclamation and emphasizing the specific, compelling nature of her evidence. There is a profound sense of **Irony** in the narrative: a Samaritan woman, marginalized by both her ethnicity and her past, becomes the unlikely evangelist who brings her entire city to encounter the Messiah. This subverts societal expectations and highlights God's choice of the humble to shame the wise. Furthermore, the event serves as **Foreshadowing**, pointing to the future expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, a theme that will be fully realized in the book of Acts with the evangelization of Samaria ([Acts 8:5-8](/acts/8-5-8 "Acts 8:5-8 - Philip Preaches in Samaria")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:39 is a profound theological statement on the nature of evangelism and the universality of God's grace. It demonstrates that genuine belief often begins with a human witness, a personal testimony to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. The Samaritans' initial faith, though prompted by the woman's words, was a true and saving faith, albeit one that would be deepened by their subsequent direct encounter with Jesus. This passage affirms that God uses ordinary people, even those with flawed pasts, to accomplish extraordinary purposes, breaking down social, ethnic, and gender barriers to extend His kingdom. It underscores that the evidence of a changed life, coupled with the undeniable truth of Christ's divine nature, is a powerful force for conviction and conversion.

* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")
* [Romans 10:14](/romans/10-14 "Romans 10:14 - How Can They Believe Without a Preacher?")
* [1 Peter 3:15](/1_peter/3-15 "1 Peter 3:15 - Always Be Ready to Give an Answer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:39 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it powerfully affirms the enduring efficacy of a simple, authentic personal testimony. We often feel inadequate to share our faith, believing we need extensive theological training or eloquent speech. Yet, the Samaritan woman, with no formal training and a checkered past, simply shared what Jesus had done for her—He "told me all that ever I did"—and it was enough to spark widespread belief. This encourages us to confidently share our own stories of how Christ has encountered us, knowing that the Holy Spirit can use our personal experiences to draw others. Secondly, this passage challenges us to dismantle our own prejudices and extend the gospel to those we might deem "unworthy" or "different." Jesus' deliberate engagement with the Samaritans, a despised people, reminds us that God's love and salvation are for all humanity, regardless of background, ethnicity, or past mistakes. We are called to be bridge-builders, carrying the message of hope to every corner of our communities, just as the woman did in Sychar.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is one specific way Jesus has "told you all that ever you did" (i.e., revealed Himself or His truth to you) that you can share with someone else?**
* **Are there any groups of people in your life or community whom you, perhaps unconsciously, avoid sharing the Gospel with due to prejudice or perceived differences? How might you intentionally reach out to them?**
* **How does the Samaritan woman's immediate and enthusiastic sharing of her encounter with Jesus inspire your own willingness to speak about your faith?**
* **What does it mean to "believe on" Jesus, beyond mere intellectual assent, in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why was the Samaritan woman's testimony so effective in leading many to believe?**

Answer: The woman's testimony was effective for several key reasons. First, it was deeply personal and authentic, rooted in her direct, undeniable experience of Jesus' supernatural knowledge of her life ([John 4:29](/john/4-29 "John 4:29 - The Woman's Testimony")). This specific detail—"He told me all that ever I did"—was compelling proof of His divine insight, something no ordinary person could know. Second, her transformation was evident; she left her water pot and immediately went to share, demonstrating a radical shift in her priorities and character. Third, her message was simple and direct, inviting others to "Come, see a man," rather than delivering a complex theological discourse. Finally, the Holy Spirit was clearly at work, preparing the hearts of the Samaritans to receive her witness and be drawn to Jesus.

**What is the significance of the Samaritans "believing on him" rather than just "believing her"?**

Answer: The phrase "believed on him" (Greek: _episteusan eis auton_) signifies a crucial distinction. While their initial belief was *prompted* by the woman's "saying" or testimony, their faith was directed *towards* Jesus Himself. This prepositional phrase (_eis_) implies a movement of trust and commitment *into* or *unto* a person, indicating a nascent, personal relationship with Christ, not merely intellectual assent to the woman's words. This initial belief then led them to seek out Jesus themselves, resulting in a deeper, firsthand faith as described in [John 4:41-42](/john/4-41-42 "John 4:41-42 - Samaritans Believe Because of Jesus' Word"), where they declare, "we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The widespread belief among the Samaritans in [John 4:39](/john/4-39 "John 4:39 - Many Samaritans Believe") stands as a powerful testament to the universal scope of Christ's redemptive mission, fulfilling prophecies of a Messiah for all nations. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), intentionally crossed social, ethnic, and gender barriers to bring salvation to a people despised by His own. His divine knowledge of the woman's past, which served as the cornerstone of her testimony, reveals Him as the all-knowing Son of God, the true light that enlightens everyone ([John 1:9](/john/1-9 "John 1:9 - The True Light")). This encounter foreshadows the breaking down of the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, making them one new humanity in Christ ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Ultimately, the Samaritans' journey from hearing a human witness to personally encountering and believing in Jesus as "the Saviour of the world" ([John 4:42](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - Jesus, the Savior of the World")) points directly to Christ as the sole source of eternal life and the one who perfectly fulfills God's plan to draw all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Will Draw All People to Himself")).

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 4:29

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

John 4:5

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.

John 10:41

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

John 10:42

And many believed on him there.

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.

John 11:45

¶ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.