Devine Scripture

John 4:18

What does John 4:18 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:18 means

Jesus fully exposes the woman's marital history with divine precision, revealing she has had five husbands and the man she is currently with is not her husband. This detailed knowledge, which Jesus could not have humanly known, serves as undeniable proof of His supernatural insight. It is a profound act of grace, as He reveals her sin not to condemn, but to lead her to repentance and a deeper understanding of who He is—a righteous judge and a savior.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband: that was truly said.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for five husbands thou hast had, and, now, he whom thou hast is not thy husband; this hast thou said truly.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For thou hast had five husbands: and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband. This, thou hast said truly.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for thou hast had five husbands, and he whom now thou hast is not thy husband: this thou hast spoken truly.

Context

This verse is Jesus' powerful revelation of the Samaritan woman's personal life, directly affirming and expanding on her statement in verse 17, "I have no husband." This demonstration of supernatural knowledge serves as undeniable proof of Jesus' divine authority and prophetic insight, completely shifting the dynamic of their conversation. Her reaction to this revelation is anticipated in the following verse.

v.17The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have no husband:

v.18This passage

v.19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

  • Jeremiah 3:20

    Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah.

  • Genesis 34:7

    And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

  • Ruth 4:10

    Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

  • Numbers 5:29

    This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, being under her husband, goeth aside, and is defiled;

  • Genesis 34:31

    And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?

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