John 4:26
What does John 4:26 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:26 means
In a climactic moment of divine revelation, Jesus directly declares to the Samaritan woman, "I that speak unto thee am he." This is a powerful and unambiguous claim to be the Messiah, the Christ. It is a profound act of grace and an astonishing self-disclosure, especially to an outcast Samaritan woman, confirming all He had subtly hinted at and answering her deepest spiritual longing. This revelation marks the pinnacle of their conversation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said to her, I, who am talking to you, am he.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus saith to her, `I am <FI>he<Fi> , who am speaking to thee.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus saith to her: I am he, who am speaking with thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus says to her, I who speak to thee am [he].
Context
This verse contains Jesus' explicit self-identification as the Messiah, a dramatic climax to His conversation with the Samaritan woman. It directly responds to her statement in verse 25 about waiting for the Christ to come and explain everything. This direct declaration of His identity completely alters her understanding and status, forming the crucial catalyst for her ensuing actions and testimony to her city.
v.25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things.
v.26This passage
v.27And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:63
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
- Matthew 20:15
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?
- Mark 14:61
But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and saith unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
- John 8:24
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
- Romans 10:20
And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me.
- John 9:35
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, he said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
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