John 4:40

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 4:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days.
John 4:40 — American Standard Version

Context — John 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
40So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So when the Samaritans were come unto him, etc.] The Ethiopic version reads, all the Samaritans; they came to him at Jacob’s well, upon the woman’s solicitations, and the account she gave of this extraordinary person: and after they had conversed with him, and heard him themselves, they were taken with his divine discourses, and being thoroughly persuaded that he was the Messiah, they besought him that he would tarry with them; they were not like the Gergesenes, who besought him to depart out of their coasts as soon he was in them: but these men were delighted with his company; and notwithstanding his being a Jew, desired a conversation with him, and entreated that he would go along with…”
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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
“abode two days--Two precious days, surely, to the Redeemer Himself! Unsought, He had come to His own, yet His own received Him not: now those who were not His own had come to Him, been won by Him, and invited Him to their town that others might share with them in the benefit of His wonderful ministry. Here, then, would He solace His already wounded spirit and have in this outfield village triumph of His grace, a sublime foretaste of the inbringing of the whole Gentile world into the Church.”
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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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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they: Gen 32:26; Pro 4:13; Sol 3:4; Jer 14:8; Luk 8:38, Luk 10:39, Luk 24:29; Act 16:15 he abode: Luk 19:5-10; Co2 6:1, Co2 6:2; Rev 3:20 John 4:41”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification