Devine Scripture

John 4:8

What does John 4:8 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:8 means

This verse offers a crucial explanation for why Jesus was alone when He encountered the Samaritan woman. His disciples had gone into the city to buy food, a practical necessity that created the unique opportunity for a private, uninterrupted conversation between Jesus and the woman. Their absence underscores the unconventional nature of this interaction, free from the immediate scrutiny or judgment of His followers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For his disciples had gone to the town to get food.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for his disciples were gone away to the city, that they may buy victuals;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For his disciples were gone into the city to buy meats.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

(for his disciples had gone away into the city that they might buy provisions).

Context

This verse provides an immediate, parenthetical explanation for the situation in verse 7, where Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink. The disciples' absence highlights why Jesus was alone with the woman, setting the stage for their private conversation. This detail is important because it explains the unusual circumstance that allowed for such a significant and culturally transgressive dialogue to unfold.

v.7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

v.8This passage

v.9The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

Cross references

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

  • John 6:5

    Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?

  • John 4:5

    So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph:

  • Luke 9:13

    But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.

  • John 4:39

    And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things thateverI did.

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