John 4:28
What does John 4:28 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:28 means
Following Jesus' self-revelation and the arrival of His disciples, the woman immediately leaves her waterpot behind and rushes into the city. The abandonment of her waterpot symbolizes her total preoccupation with the spiritual truth she received, letting go of her earthly task in favor of sharing her profound encounter. Her urgent departure demonstrates the transformative impact of meeting Jesus, compelled to testify.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the people,
KJV
King James Version · 1611The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the people,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the woman put down her water-pot and went into the town, and said to the people,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The woman then left her water-jug, and went away to the city, and saith to the men,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The woman therefore left her waterpot and went her way into the city and saith to the men there:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The woman then left her waterpot and went away into the city, and says to the men,
Context
This verse describes the Samaritan woman's immediate and dramatic reaction to Jesus' self-revelation and the arrival of His disciples. It follows directly after the culmination of their spiritual discussion. Her leaving the waterpot is a symbolic act, indicating a shift from her physical need for water to a spiritual urgency, preparing her to become an evangelist to her own people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 28:8
And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
- Luke 24:33
And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
- John 4:7
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
- Luke 24:9
and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.
- Mark 16:8
And they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them: and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid.
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