John 4:41

And many more believed because of his own word;

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

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

And many more believed because of His message.

And many more believed because of his word;

Commentary

John 4:41 marks a significant turning point in the narrative of Jesus' interaction with the Samaritans, emphasizing the transformative power of His direct teaching.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar. Initially, many Samaritans from her city believed in Jesus based on her personal testimony, as recorded in John 4:39. However, this verse reveals a deeper, more profound faith taking root. After the Samaritans invited Jesus to stay, He remained with them for two days, allowing them to hear His message directly. This progression from belief based on a secondary witness to conviction founded on a personal encounter with His words is a crucial theme.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Jesus' Own Word: The phrase "his own word" (Greek: logos) highlights the inherent authority and truth of Jesus' teaching. Unlike human testimony, which can introduce and point to truth, Jesus' words carried divine power that directly impacted the hearts and minds of His listeners. This underscores the unique nature of Jesus as the eternal Word of God made flesh.
  • Deepening of Faith: The Samaritans' faith matured from simply believing *about* Jesus (based on the woman's testimony) to believing *in* Him because they heard Him speak themselves. This illustrates a vital spiritual principle: while initial evangelism often involves sharing personal stories, true and lasting faith is rooted in a direct, personal encounter with Christ and His teachings.
  • Universal Reach of the Gospel: Jesus' willingness to minister extensively in Samaria, a region historically at odds with Judea, demonstrates the universal scope of His mission. The fact that "many more believed" among these Samaritans underscores that salvation is offered to all people, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or social background. Their subsequent confession in John 4:42, that Jesus is "the Christ, the Saviour of the world," confirms this expansive understanding of His identity and purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "his own word" translates from the Greek logos (Ξ»ΟŒΞ³ΞΏΟ‚). While logos can simply mean "word" or "speech," in the context of John's Gospel, it often carries a deeper theological weight, referring to divine reason, revelation, and the very person of Christ Himself. Here, it signifies the authoritative and life-giving message that Jesus spoke, which had the power to generate faith directly. This aligns with the New Testament concept that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Practical Application

John 4:41 provides a powerful lesson for believers today. While personal testimonies are invaluable tools for evangelism, they serve as a bridge to introduce others to Christ. The ultimate goal is for individuals to encounter Jesus' "own word" directly through Scripture and personal relationship. This verse encourages us to immerse ourselves in God's Word, allowing its inherent truth and power to deepen our own faith and equip us to share it effectively. It reminds us that the most compelling reason to believe is not merely what others say about Jesus, but who He reveals Himself to be through His spoken and written Word.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 1:8 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

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

  • Acts 8:12 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 7:29 (4 votes)

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