John 4:17
What does John 4:17 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:17 means
The woman, confronted by Jesus' request, replies evasively, stating, "I have no husband." Jesus immediately affirms her statement but then reveals His supernatural knowledge: "Thou saidst well, I have no husband." This moment of divine insight unmasks her hidden life, confirming His prophetic authority and beginning to break down her defenses. Her immediate response, though a partial truth, is challenged by Jesus' all-knowing presence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have no husband:
KJV
King James Version · 1611The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have no husband:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In answer, the woman said, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You have said rightly, I have no husband:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the woman answered and said, `I have not a husband.' Jesus saith to her, `Well didst thou say--A husband I have not;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The woman answered and said: I have no husband. Jesus said to her: Thou hast said well: I have no husband.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The woman answered and said, I have not a husband. Jesus says to her, Thou hast well said, I have not a husband;
Context
This verse captures the Samaritan woman's initial, somewhat guarded response to Jesus' command to call her husband. It immediately follows Jesus' direct instruction in verse 16. Her denial, which Jesus both affirms and then transcends through His supernatural knowledge, is a pivotal moment, as it sets up the full exposure of her past in the next verse, revealing Jesus' divine insight.
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