John 4:42

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G5037} said {G3004} unto the woman {G1135},{G3754} Now {G3765} we believe {G4100}, not {G3754} because {G1223} of thy {G4674} saying {G2981}: for {G1063} we have heard {G191} him ourselves {G846}, and {G2532} know {G1492} that {G3754} this {G3778} is {G2076} indeed {G230} the Christ {G5547}, the Saviour {G4990} of the world {G2889}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said to the woman, “We no longer trust because of what you said, because we have heard for ourselves. We know indeed that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Berean Standard Bible

They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.”

American Standard Version

and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:42 encapsulates the profound transformation of the Samaritans' faith from initial curiosity, sparked by the Samaritan woman's testimony, to a deep, personal conviction rooted in their direct encounter with Jesus. This verse highlights the essential nature of authentic belief, which moves beyond secondhand accounts to a firsthand knowledge of Jesus as the promised Messiah and the universal Redeemer of humanity. It signifies a pivotal moment where a marginalized community recognizes Jesus' true identity and mission, underscoring the expansive reach of the Gospel message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful climax to Jesus' two-day stay in Sychar, a Samaritan town. The narrative begins with Jesus' groundbreaking interaction with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, where He reveals His identity as the Messiah and offers living water ([John 4:7-26](/john/4-7-26 "John 4:7-26 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well")). Her subsequent testimony to her townspeople, "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 Woman's Testimony")), prompts many Samaritans to come out to meet Jesus. They then urge Him to stay, and He remains for two days, teaching and interacting with them ([John 4:40-41](/john/4-40-41 "John 4:40-41 - Jesus Stays in Samaria")). John 4:42 is the collective confession of these new believers, demonstrating that their faith has matured from an initial belief based on the woman's words to a firm conviction founded on their personal experience of Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Samaritans were a mixed ethnic and religious group, descendants of Israelites who intermarried with foreign settlers after the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC. They were despised by orthodox Jews, who considered them ritually impure and heretical, largely due to their worship on Mount Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem and their acceptance of only the Pentateuch as scripture. This deep-seated animosity makes Jesus' willingness to engage with the Samaritan woman and stay in their town profoundly counter-cultural and revolutionary. Their confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Saviour of the world" is particularly striking, as Samaritan messianic expectations were typically more focused on a prophet-like figure (the Taheb) who would restore their worship, rather than a universal redeemer. Their embrace of Jesus' global mission challenges the narrow sectarianism prevalent at the time.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several key themes present in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **personal faith and conviction**, emphasizing that true belief is not merely intellectual assent or reliance on others' testimonies, but a direct, transformative encounter with Christ. This is contrasted with initial, secondhand belief, highlighting the progression of faith. Another crucial theme is **universal salvation**, as the Samaritans' confession of Jesus as "the Saviour of the world" broadens the scope of God's redemptive plan beyond ethnic or religious boundaries, anticipating the global reach of the Gospel message found throughout [John's Gospel](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). Finally, the passage also subtly underscores the **power of personal testimony** as a catalyst. While the woman's testimony was not the ultimate basis of their faith, it was the essential initial spark that led others to seek Jesus out and hear Him for themselves, illustrating the ripple effect of sharing one's experience of Christ, as seen in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, meaning "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)." Here, it signifies a transition from a preliminary acceptance of the woman's words to a deep, personal trust and commitment to Jesus based on their own experience.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, meaning "to hear (in various senses)." This word emphasizes the direct, auditory experience the Samaritans had with Jesus' teaching. It implies not just perceiving sound, but understanding and internalizing His message, leading to conviction.
* **Saviour (Greek, _sōtḗr'_):** From G4990, meaning "a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ." This title is profound, acknowledging Jesus not merely as a prophet or a local Messiah, but as the one who brings salvation and deliverance on a cosmic scale, for all humanity. This universal scope is further emphasized by its connection to "the world."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto the woman":** This indicates a collective declaration made by the Samaritans to the woman who initially brought them to Jesus. It is a public affirmation of their newfound faith and a validation of her testimony.
* **"Now we believe, not because of thy saying":** This clause marks a crucial shift. Their initial belief was indeed prompted by the woman's testimony, but their current, mature faith is no longer dependent on it. It highlights the transition from secondhand information to personal conviction.
* **"for we have heard [him] ourselves":** This explains the basis of their transformed belief. Their faith is now grounded in their direct, personal encounter with Jesus' words and presence. This emphasizes the importance of a firsthand relationship with Christ.
* **"and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.":** This is the profound confession of Jesus' identity. They "know" (a deeper, experiential knowledge) that He is the "Christ" (the Anointed One, the Messiah) and, remarkably, "the Saviour of the world," signifying their understanding of His universal redemptive mission beyond ethnic or national boundaries.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is central, as it explicitly juxtaposes belief "not because of thy saying" with belief because "we have heard him ourselves." This highlights the distinction between initial, indirect faith and mature, direct conviction. The statement itself functions as a powerful **confession** or **declaration**, marking the Samaritans' collective acknowledgment of Jesus' true identity. Furthermore, the phrase "Saviour of the world" serves as **hyperbole** and **theological expansion**, demonstrating a remarkable grasp of Jesus' mission that transcends typical Jewish and Samaritan messianic expectations, revealing the boundless scope of God's redemptive plan. The narrative also features an element of **irony**, as these Samaritans, often viewed as outsiders, are among the first to articulate such a comprehensive understanding of Jesus' universal salvific role.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:42 is a theological cornerstone, underscoring that genuine faith culminates in a personal encounter with Christ, moving beyond mere intellectual assent or reliance on others' experiences. The Samaritans' confession of Jesus as "the Saviour of the world" is a pivotal declaration, extending the redemptive scope of the Messiah beyond the confines of Israel to embrace all humanity. This universal understanding anticipates the Great Commission and the global spread of the Gospel, revealing God's overarching plan to redeem people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. It challenges any narrow, exclusive view of salvation, affirming Jesus as the one deliverer for all who believe.

* [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Receiving Jesus")
* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")
* [1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - Jesus, the Saviour of the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:42 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for every believer. It calls us to examine the foundation of our own faith: Is it rooted in a personal, living relationship with Jesus, or is it primarily based on the traditions, teachings, or experiences of others? While the testimony of fellow believers and the heritage of faith are invaluable, they are meant to lead us to a direct encounter with Christ Himself. This verse reminds us that true conviction comes from "hearing Him ourselves"—engaging with His Word, experiencing His presence, and allowing His Spirit to transform our lives. Furthermore, the Samaritans' bold confession of Jesus as the "Saviour of the world" compels us to embrace the universal scope of the Gospel. It dismantles any prejudice or exclusivity in our understanding of God's love, urging us to share the good news of salvation with all people, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or past. Our personal testimony, like that of the Samaritan woman, can be a powerful bridge, inviting others to come and hear Jesus for themselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **On what is my personal faith primarily founded: secondhand accounts or a direct, personal encounter with Jesus?**
* **How does the Samaritans' confession of Jesus as "Saviour of the world" challenge or expand my understanding of God's redemptive plan?**
* **In what ways can I, like the Samaritan woman, effectively share my testimony to invite others to "hear Him themselves"?**
* **What steps can I take to deepen my personal "hearing" and "knowing" of Jesus in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the Samaritans calling Jesus "the Saviour of the world"?**

Answer: The Samaritans' declaration of Jesus as "the Saviour of the world" is profoundly significant because it expands the traditional Jewish and even Samaritan understanding of the Messiah. Historically, both groups tended to view the Messiah as a figure primarily for their own people. The Samaritans, in particular, anticipated a prophet (the Taheb) who would restore their form of worship. Their recognition of Jesus as a *universal* Saviour, for all humanity (the "world," Greek: _kosmos_), demonstrates a remarkable spiritual insight, likely imparted by Jesus' direct teaching during His two-day stay. This confession foreshadows the global mission of the church and aligns with Jesus' own self-understanding as the one sent to save all who believe, as articulated in passages like [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") and [1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - Jesus, the Saviour of the World"). It highlights that God's redemptive plan is not limited by ethnic, national, or religious boundaries.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:42 stands as a powerful testament to Jesus' identity as the Christ, the Anointed One, and His universal mission as the "Saviour of the world." This confession from the Samaritans, a people outside the traditional Jewish fold, foreshadows the New Covenant reality where salvation is extended to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus' two-day stay and direct teaching in Sychar fulfilled the prophetic anticipation of a Messiah who would draw all peoples to Himself, as hinted in passages like [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles"), where the Servant of the Lord is to be "a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." Ultimately, Jesus' claim to be the "Saviour of the world" finds its ultimate fulfillment in His atoning death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, which provided the means of salvation for all humanity ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us")). His work breaks down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity in Himself ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The Samaritans' personal conviction, born of hearing Jesus for themselves, beautifully illustrates the heart of the Gospel: that through Christ, God offers redemption and new life to everyone who believes in Him, making Him truly the "Saviour of the world" for all time ([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

1 John 4:14

¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

John 1:29

¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1 Timothy 4:10

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

2 Corinthians 5:19

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: