Devine Scripture

John 4:42

What does John 4:42 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:42 means

The Samaritans, having personally heard Jesus, declared to the woman that their faith now rested not merely on her testimony, but on their own experience. They proclaimed, "we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world." This powerful confession marks a profound theological breakthrough, recognizing Jesus' universal mission beyond Jewish exclusivity, identifying Him as the promised deliverer for all humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they said to the woman, Now we have faith, but not because of your story: we ourselves have given ear to his words, and we are certain that he is truly the Saviour of the world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and said to the woman--`No more because of thy speaking do we believe; for we ourselves have heard and known that this is truly the Saviour of the world--the Christ.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they said to the woman: We now believe, not for thy saying: for we ourselves have heard him and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and they said to the woman, [It is] no longer on account of thy saying that we believe, for we have heard him ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.

Context

This verse is the climatic declaration of the Samaritans' transformed faith. It follows the statement in verse 41 that many more believed because of Jesus' own word. Their confession to the woman, emphasizing their personal experience and proclaiming Jesus as the "Saviour of the world," underscores the depth of their conversion and sets a high watermark for the scope of Jesus' mission, concluding the Samaritan encounter.

v.41And many more believed because of his word;

v.42This passage

v.43And after the two days he went forth from thence into Galilee.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 17:11

    Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

  • Luke 2:10

    And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:

  • Romans 10:11

    For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

  • Luke 2:32

    A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

  • John 11:17

    So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.

  • 1 John 4:14

    And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

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