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John 4:39

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 4:39 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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 that [ever] I did.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 that [ever] I did.
John 4:39 — American Standard Version

Context — John 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
36He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor.
39And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that [ever] I did.
40So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days.
41And many more believed because of his word;
42and 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.
← John 4:38John 4:40 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And many of the Samaritans of that city, etc.] Of Sychar, which was a city of Samaria; believed on him; that he was the true Messiah he had told the woman he was; and she put it to them whether he was or not: before they saw him, or had any conversation with him themselves, they believed in him; (see <432029> John 20:29); for the saying of the woman which testified, he told me all that ever I did: the account she gave was so plain, and honest, and disinterested, that they could not but give credit to it; and since the person was an utter stranger to her, and yet had laid before her the whole series of her past life and conversation, they concluded he could be no other than the Messiah, who…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“many . . . believed, &c.--The truth of Joh 4:35 begins to appear. These Samaritans were the foundation of the Church afterwards built up there. No miracle appears to have been wrought there (but unparalleled supernatural knowledge displayed): "we have heard Him ourselves" (Joh 4:42) sufficed to raise their faith to a point never attained by the Jews, and hardly as yet by the disciples--that He was "the Saviour of the world" [ALFORD]. "This incident is further remarkable as a rare instance of the Lord's ministry producing an awakening on a large scale" [OLSHAUSEN].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, ... - There is seldom an instance of so remarkable success as this. From a single conversation, in circumstances, in a place, and with an individual little likely to be attended with such results, many sinners were converted; many believed on the testimony of the woman; many more came to hear, and believed because they heard him themselves. We should never despair of doing good in the most unpromising circumstances, and we should seize upon every opportunity to converse with sinners on the great subject of their souls’ salvation. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:39-40 Many Samaritans: The religiously sophisticated “chosen people” in Jerusalem did not respond to Jesus with faith (ch 3). By contrast, many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the testimony of this outcast woman.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“many: Joh 10:41, Joh 10:42, Joh 11:45 for: Joh 4:29, Joh 4:42 John 4:40”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification