John 4:39

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.

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}.

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.”

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

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

John 4:39 reveals the immediate impact of the Samaritan woman's powerful testimony in her city, Sychar. It highlights how her personal encounter with Jesus became the catalyst for many of her fellow Samaritans to believe in Him.

Context

This verse follows a groundbreaking interaction between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well (see John 4:7-26). Traditionally, Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, a people group with mixed Israelite and Gentile heritage and distinct religious practices. Jesus, however, initiated a conversation that revealed His divine knowledge of her past and culminated in her understanding that He was the Messiah. Overwhelmed, she left her waterpot and rushed back to her city, proclaiming, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:29).

Key Themes

  • The Power of Personal Testimony: The verse underscores the incredible influence of a transformed life. The woman's simple, direct testimony, rooted in her personal experience of Jesus' supernatural insight, was enough to pique the curiosity and bring many to consider Him. This demonstrates how God often uses ordinary people and their unique stories to draw others to Himself.
  • Jesus' Divine Knowledge: The core of the woman's testimony was Jesus' ability to know "all that ever I did." This specific detail served as compelling evidence of His omniscience and validated His claims to be the Messiah. It was this supernatural knowledge that first convinced her and then convinced her community.
  • Breaking Down Barriers: Jesus' ministry to the Samaritans was revolutionary. In a society deeply divided by ethnic and religious prejudices, Jesus intentionally reached out, demonstrating that God's salvation is for all people, regardless of their background or past (compare with Galatians 3:28). This outreach foreshadows the global mission of the church.
  • The Seed of Belief: While their initial belief was based on the woman's testimony, this verse sets the stage for a deeper, personal faith. Their coming to Jesus "for the saying of the woman" leads directly to their own encounter with Him, as described in John 4:41-42, where they declare, "we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "believed on him" in Greek is episteusan eis auton (ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτόν). This construction signifies more than just intellectual assent; it implies an active trust, a movement of faith into or unto Jesus, indicating a personal commitment and reliance upon Him. Their belief was not merely in the woman's words, but through her words, they began to place their trust in Jesus Himself.

Practical Application

John 4:39 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Firstly, it affirms the power of a genuine personal testimony. You don't need to be a theologian to share what Christ has done in your life; your authentic story can be incredibly effective in leading others to Him. Secondly, it reminds us of God's heart for all people, challenging us to overcome our own prejudices and extend the gospel message to those we might otherwise overlook. Just as the Samaritan woman's testimony opened the door for many in Sychar, our willingness to share can open hearts in our own communities.

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Cross-References

  • John 4:29 (7 votes)

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

  • John 4:5 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    And many believed on him there.

  • John 4:42 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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