John 4:29

What does John 4:29 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:29 means

The woman excitedly urges the people of Sychar to "Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did." She then directly poses the question, "can this be the Christ?" Her testimony focuses on Jesus' supernatural knowledge of her past, which served as compelling evidence of His prophetic—and potentially Messianic—identity. She doesn't preach, but invites, allowing her personal experience to speak for itself and draw others to Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Come and see a man who has been talking to me of everything I ever did! Is it possible that this is the Christ?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Come, see a man, who told me all things--as many as I did; is this the Christ?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Come, and see a man who has told me all things whatsoever I have done. Is not he the Christ?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Come, see a man who told me all things I had ever done: is not he the Christ?

Context

This verse presents the Samaritan woman's fervent witness to her city, directly following her urgent departure from the well. Her testimony builds on Jesus' revelation of her past sins (verses 17-18) and directly poses the question of His Messianic identity, which Jesus confirmed to her (verse 26). This powerful invitation sets in motion the movement of the Samaritan townspeople towards Jesus.

v.28So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the people,

v.29This passage

v.30They went out of the city, and were coming to him.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 12:23

    And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David?

  • John 7:26

    And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?

  • John 4:25

    The 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.

  • John 1:41

    He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).

  • Revelation 22:17

    And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.

  • John 4:17

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

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