John 4:9
What does John 4:9 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:9 means
The Samaritan woman's response highlights the deep-seated animosity between Jews and Samaritans, asking why a Jew would request a drink from a Samaritan woman. Her question, followed by the Gospel writer's clarification, underscores the ethnic and gender barriers that Jesus intentionally transgressed. This initial reaction sets up Jesus’ opportunity to reveal His universal mission and offer spiritual truth that transcends such divisions, emphasizing the radical nature of His love and grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The 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.)
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The 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.)
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The woman of Samaria said to him, Why do you, a Jew, make a request for water to me, a woman of Samaria? She said this because Jews have nothing to do with the people of Samaria.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the Samaritan woman therefore saith to him, `How dost thou, being a Jew, ask drink from me, being a Samaritan woman?' for Jews have no dealing with Samaritans.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then that Samaritan woman saith to him: How dost thou, being a Jew; ask of me to drink, who am a Samaritan woman? For the Jews do not communicate with the Samaritans.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Samaritan woman therefore says to him, How dost thou, being a Jew, ask to drink of me who am a Samaritan woman? for Jews have no intercourse with Samaritans.
Context
This verse presents the Samaritan woman's initial reaction to Jesus' request for water. It directly follows Jesus' surprising query in verse 7. Her question immediately brings the cultural and religious tensions between Jews and Samaritans, central to the historical context of the chapter, to the forefront of their conversation. This sets the stage for Jesus' groundbreaking offer in the verses that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 17:24
And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
- Luke 10:33
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
- Luke 9:52
and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
- Acts 10:28
and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean:
- Ezra 4:1
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto Jehovah, the God of Israel;
- Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans:
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