John 4:41

KJV

And many more believed because of his own word;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} many {G4183} more {G4119} believed {G4100} because {G1223} of his own {G846} word {G3056};

Complete Jewish Bible

and many more came to trust because of what he said.

Berean Standard Bible

And many more believed because of His message.

American Standard Version

And many more believed because of his word;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:41 signifies a profound deepening of faith among the Samaritans of Sychar, illustrating the transformative power of a direct encounter with Jesus' own words. While many initially believed based on the Samaritan woman's testimony, a greater number came to a more robust and personal conviction after hearing Jesus speak for himself, underscoring the unique and inherent authority of His divine message. This verse highlights the progression from belief based on secondary witness to a more mature faith rooted in personal experience with the living Word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the pivotal encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar, as detailed in [John 4:1-42](/john/4-1-42 "John 4:1-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman"). The woman's testimony, shared with her townspeople in [John 4:28-30](/john/4-28-30 "John 4:28-30 - The Woman's Testimony"), led many to initially believe in Jesus, prompting them to invite Him to stay in their city. John 4:40 states that Jesus "abode there two days." John 4:41 then describes the outcome of this extended stay, revealing a significant increase in the number of believers, and more importantly, a qualitative shift in the basis of their faith. This progression sets the stage for the Samaritans' profound confession in [John 4:42](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - The Samaritans' Confession"), where they declare Jesus to be "the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting in Samaria is critical. Historically, Samaritans and Jews were deeply antagonistic, stemming from religious and ethnic differences, particularly regarding the proper place of worship (Mount Gerizim vs. Jerusalem). Jesus' willingness to engage with the Samaritan woman, and then to stay for two days in a Samaritan city, was a radical departure from Jewish norms and expectations. This act of crossing cultural and religious boundaries demonstrates the universal nature of His mission. The Samaritans, often viewed as outcasts by orthodox Jews, represent a people group ripe for the inclusive message of the Gospel, highlighting that God's salvation is not limited by traditional barriers or prejudices.

* **Key Themes:** John 4:41 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **authority and power of Jesus' direct word**. While human testimony is valuable for evangelism, ultimate, saving faith is rooted in a personal encounter with Christ through His teaching. This aligns with John's portrayal of Jesus as the [Logos, the Word made flesh](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Secondly, the verse illustrates the **deepening of faith**. The Samaritans' initial belief, based on the woman's witness, matured into a more profound conviction through direct exposure to Jesus' teaching, moving from believing *about* Him to believing *in* Him. Finally, it highlights the **universal reach of the Gospel**. Jesus' ministry in Samaria, a place typically shunned by Jews, prefigures the global expansion of the Christian message, demonstrating that salvation is offered to all people, regardless of their ethnic or social background, a theme further emphasized in [John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus the Good Shepherd for All").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, this verb signifies 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)." In this context, it describes the Samaritans' act of placing their trust and conviction in Jesus, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a personal commitment. The tense implies a continuous or ongoing state of belief that was initiated and deepened.
* **because (Greek, _diá'_):** From G1223, this preposition denotes "the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)." Here, it functions causally, indicating that Jesus' "own word" was the direct reason or means by which "many more" came to believe. It emphasizes the direct, unmediated impact of His teaching.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, this term refers to "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic... also reasoning... by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)." In this verse, "his own word" refers to Jesus' authoritative teaching, His discourse, and the very essence of His divine revelation. In John's Gospel, _lógos_ often carries profound theological weight, hinting at Jesus' identity as the living Word of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And many more believed":** This clause indicates a significant increase in the number of believers beyond those who initially came out to meet Jesus based on the woman's testimony (John 4:39). The phrase "many more" (Greek: _polýs pleíōn_) emphasizes not just an addition, but a greater quantity, suggesting a widespread and impactful response within the Samaritan community. This highlights the effectiveness of Jesus' direct ministry.
* **"because of his own word":** This crucial phrase specifies the reason for the deepened and expanded faith. It contrasts sharply with the earlier belief that was "for the saying of the woman" (John 4:39). The Samaritans' conviction was now rooted directly in Jesus' personal teaching and authoritative speech, rather than solely on a secondary witness. This signifies a more profound and authentic faith, grounded in a direct encounter with the source of truth.

#### Literary Devices
John 4:41 employs several literary devices to underscore its theological significance. The most prominent is **Contrast**, specifically between the initial belief based on the woman's testimony (John 4:39) and the subsequent, deeper belief based on Jesus' "own word." This highlights the superior authority and transformative power of direct divine revelation over human witness, no matter how compelling. There is also a clear **Progression** from initial belief to a more profound and widespread faith, demonstrating the growth and maturation of spiritual understanding. The phrase "many more" serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, conveying the overwhelming impact of Jesus' teaching on the Samaritan community. Finally, the use of "his own word" (_lógos_) functions as **Metonymy** for Jesus' divine authority and the very essence of His being as the Word of God, linking this specific instance of teaching to the broader theological identity of Christ presented throughout John's Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:41 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of true faith and the unparalleled authority of Jesus' word. While human testimony is a vital catalyst for evangelism, it is ultimately the direct encounter with Christ's own message that brings about genuine, saving belief. The Samaritans' experience illustrates that faith deepens and matures as individuals move from hearing *about* Jesus to hearing *from* Him directly. This principle remains foundational for Christian discipleship, emphasizing the necessity of immersing oneself in Scripture and cultivating a personal relationship with the Lord, allowing His word to transform hearts and minds. It reinforces that the ultimate ground of our faith is not human persuasion, but divine revelation.

* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")
* [1 Peter 1:23](/1_peter/1-23 "1 Peter 1:23 - Born Again Through the Living and Abiding Word of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:41 offers profound insights for contemporary believers regarding the source and growth of our faith. It challenges us to move beyond secondhand accounts or inherited beliefs, urging us to cultivate a direct, personal encounter with Jesus through His word. While testimonies are powerful tools for introducing others to Christ, the ultimate goal is for individuals to hear His voice for themselves, whether through the Scriptures, prayer, or the leading of the Holy Spirit. This verse encourages a deep immersion in God's written Word, recognizing its inherent power to convict, transform, and establish a firm foundation for faith. It reminds us that our own spiritual vitality and effectiveness in sharing the Gospel are directly tied to our intimate knowledge and experience of Jesus' "own word."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How has your faith journey progressed from hearing *about* Jesus to hearing *from* Him directly?**
* **In what ways can you more intentionally expose yourself to Jesus' "own word" in your daily life?**
* **How does the Samaritans' response challenge our assumptions about who is receptive to the Gospel message?**
* **What is the balance between sharing personal testimony and pointing others directly to the authoritative word of God?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the Samaritans believing "because of his own word" rather than the woman's testimony?**

Answer: The shift from believing "for the saying of the woman" ([John 4:39](/john/4-39 "John 4:39 - Initial Belief of Samaritans")) to believing "because of his own word" ([John 4:41](/john/4-41 "John 4:41 - Deeper Belief from Jesus' Word")) signifies a deepening and maturation of faith. While the woman's testimony was crucial for initiating their interest and drawing them to Jesus, it was Jesus' direct teaching and authoritative presence that brought about a more profound and personal conviction. This highlights that human witness can introduce people to Christ, but true, saving faith is ultimately rooted in a direct encounter with the divine revelation of Jesus Himself, the living Word. It underscores the inherent power and truth of God's own message.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "faith comes by hearing"?**

Answer: John 4:41 beautifully illustrates the principle that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" ([Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")). The Samaritans' initial belief was sparked by the woman's verbal testimony, but their faith was solidified and expanded when they personally heard Jesus speak. His "own word" carried a divine authority and transformative power that human words, while valuable, cannot fully replicate. This demonstrates that while evangelism often involves sharing personal stories and verbal witness, the ultimate source of faith is the direct, Spirit-empowered message of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:41 powerfully foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel and the centrality of Christ as the living Word. The Samaritans' experience of moving from belief based on testimony to a deeper conviction rooted in Jesus' "own word" points directly to Jesus' identity as the [Logos, the very expression of God](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"). He is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the ultimate revelation of God, whose words carry inherent divine authority and life-giving power. This encounter in Samaria prefigures the Great Commission, where disciples are sent to make disciples of all nations, teaching them "all things whatsoever I have commanded you" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The Samaritans' subsequent confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Saviour of the world" ([John 4:42](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - The Samaritans' Confession")) further solidifies this Christ-centered understanding, revealing that His saving work extends beyond Jewish boundaries to embrace all humanity. Thus, hearing Jesus' "own word" is not just about listening to a message, but encountering the very person of Christ, who is 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")), and through whom alone salvation is found ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")).

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

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Corinthians 2:4

And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1 Corinthians 2:5

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Acts 8:12

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:25

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Matthew 7:28

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Matthew 7:29

For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.