John 4:21
What does John 4:21 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:21 means
Jesus declares that the time is coming, and indeed is already at hand, when the physical location of worship—neither Mount Gerizim nor Jerusalem—will be the determining factor for true worship of the Father. This statement radically redefines worship, signaling a transition from geographically bound rituals to a new covenant understanding. It transcends the age-old dispute and points toward a universal form of worship accessible to all.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said to her, Woman, take my word for this; the time is coming when you will not give worship to the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus saith to her, `Woman, believe me, that there doth come an hour, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus saith to her: Woman, believe me that the hour cometh, when you shall neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, adore the Father.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus says to her, Woman, believe me, [the] hour is coming when ye shall neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem worship the Father.
Context
This verse is Jesus' revolutionary answer to the Samaritan woman's question about the proper place of worship. It directly responds to her query in verse 20. His declaration signals a radical shift in the understanding of worship, moving away from specific physical sites, and prepares the way for His deeper explanation of worship's true nature in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 20:3
Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Is it to inquire of me that ye are come? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.
- Ephesians 3:14
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,
- John 4:23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.
- John 16:32
Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
- Ezekiel 14:3
Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?
- Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith Jehovah of hosts.
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