YHN 4:27 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) After this, his followers arrived back, and they were astounded that he was speaking with a woman. However no one dared ask her, “What are you after?” Or to ask him, “Why are you talking with her?”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And at this, his disciples came, and they were amazed that he was speaking with a woman. Nevertheless, no one said, “What are you seeking?” or “Why are you speaking with her?”

UST Just at that moment, his disciples came back from the city. They were astonished because Jesus was talking alone with a woman whom he did not know. However, no one dared to ask him, “What do you want from her?” or “Why are you talking with her at all?”

BSB Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked [Him], “What do You want [from her]?” or “Why are You talking with her?”

BLB And upon this, His disciples came and were amazed that He was speaking with a woman. But no one said, "What do You seek?" Or "Why do You speak with her?"

AICNT And [upon this,][fn] his disciples came and {were amazed}[fn] that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said [[to him]],[fn] “What are you seeking?” or “Why are you speaking with her?”

4:27, upon this: Absent from some manuscripts. Latin(a b e ff² ) ‖ Some manuscripts read “in this.” ℵ(01) D(05)

4:27, were amazed: Some manuscripts read “marveled.”

4:27, to him: Some manuscripts include. ℵ(01) D(05) Latin(a b ff² ) Syriac(sy^s sy^c)

OEB At this moment his disciples came up, and were surprised to find him talking with a woman; but none of them asked “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

LSB And at this point His disciples came, and they were marveling that He was speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You speaking with her?”

WEBBE Just then, his disciples came. They marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Now at that very moment his disciples came back. They were shocked because he was speaking with a woman. However, no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you speaking with her?”

LSV And on this came His disciples, and were wondering that He was speaking with a woman, no one, however, said, “What do You seek?” Or “Why do You speak with her?”

FBV Just then the disciples returned. They were shocked that he was talking to a woman, but none of them asked “What are you doing?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

TCNT Just then his disciples came back, and they were amazed that he was speaking with a woman. However, no one said, “What do yoʋ want?” or, “Why are yoʋ speaking with her?”

T4T Just then we disciples returned from town. Since it was contrary to our custom for Jewish religious teachers to converse with a woman they did not know, we were surprised that he was talking to a woman. However, none of us asked her, “What do you want?” and none of us asked him, “Why are you talking with her?”

LEB ¶ And at this point[fn] his disciples came, and they were astonished that he was speaking with a woman. However, no one said, “What do you seek?” or “Why are you speaking with her?”

4:27 *The word “point” is not in the Greek text but is implied

BBE At that point the disciples came back, and they were surprised to see him talking to a woman; but not one of them said to him, What is your purpose? or, Why are you talking to her?

Moff At this point his disciples came up; they were surprised that he was talking to a woman, but none of them said, "What is it?" or, "Why are you talking to her?"

Wymth Just then His disciples came, and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. Yet not one of them asked Him, "What is your wish?" or "Why are you talking with her?"

ASV And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?

DRA And immediately his disciples came; and they wondered that he talked with the woman. Yet no man said: What seekest thou? or, why talkest thou with her?

YLT And upon this came his disciples, and were wondering that with a woman he was speaking, no one, however, said, 'What seekest thou?' or 'Why speakest thou with her?'

Drby And upon this came his disciples, and wondered that he spoke with a woman; yet no one said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?

RV And upon this came his disciples; and they marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?
(And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest/seek thou? or, Why speakest/speak thou/you with her? )

SLT And upon this his disciples came, and they wondered that he spake with the woman: yet none said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?

Wbstr And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

KJB-1769 ¶ And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
(¶ And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest/seek thou? or, Why talkest thou/you with her? )

KJB-1611 ¶ And vpon this came his disciples, and marueiled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou, or, Why talkest thou with her?
(¶ And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest/seek thou/you, or, Why talkest thou/you with her?)

Bshps And immediatly came his disciples, and marueyled that he talked with the woman: Yet no man saide, what seekest thou, or why talkest thou with her?
(And immediately came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: Yet no man said, what seekest/seek thou/you, or why talkest thou/you with her?)

Gnva And vpon that, came his disciples, and marueiled that he talked with a woman: yet no man said vnto him, What askest thou? or why talkest thou with her?
(And upon that, came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with a woman: yet no man said unto him, What askest/ask thou? or why talkest thou/you with her? )

Cvdl And in the meane season came his disciples, and they marueyled that he talked with the woman. Yet sayde no man: What axest thou, or what talkest thou with her?
(And in the mean season came his disciples, and they marvelled that he talked with the woman. Yet said no man: What axest thou/you, or what talkest thou/you with her?)

TNT And even at that poynte came his disciples and marvelled that he talked with the woman. Yet no man sayde vnto him: what meanest thou or why talkest thou with her?
(And even at that point came his disciples and marvelled that he talked with the woman. Yet no man said unto him: what meanst thou/you or why talkest thou/you with her? )

Wycl And anoon hise disciplis camen, and wondriden, that he spak with the womman; netheles no man seide to hym, What sekist thou, or, What spekist thou with hir?
(And anon/immediately his disciples came, and wondered, that he spake with the woman; nevertheless no man said to him, What sekist thou/you, or, What speakest/speak thou/you with hir?)

Luth Und über dem kamen seine Jünger, und es nahm sie wunder, daß er mit dem Weibe redete? Doch sprach niemand: Was fragest du? oder: Was redest du mit ihr?
(And above to_him came his disciple, and it took they/she/them sore/rawer, that he with to_him woman talked? But spoke no_one: What askst you(sg)? or: What talk/speak you(sg) with you(pl)/their/her?)

ClVg Et continuo venerunt discipuli ejus, et mirabantur quia cum muliere loquebatur. Nemo tamen dixit: Quid quæris? aut, Quid loqueris cum ea?[fn]
(And continuously they_came students his, and they_were_surprised because when/with woman spoke. Nobody nevertheless he/she_said: What whichris? or, What you_speak when/with them? )

4.27 Et mirabantur quia. Non mirabantur quod cum muliere loquitur, cum quibus loqui consueverat, sed quia cum alienigena, ignorantes mysterium Ecclesiæ de gentibus futuræ. Et non malum suspicantur, sed clementiam mirantur, quia gentilem erroneam docet sicut qui venit quærere quod perierat.

4.27 And they_were_surprised quia. Not/No they_were_surprised that when/with woman speaks, when/with to_whom to_speak consueverat, but because when/with strangersgena, ignorant mystery Assemblies/Churches from/about nations future. And not/no evil they_suspect, but mercy/clemencym mirantur, because Gentile erroneam teaches like who/which he_came to_seek/search_for that had_perished.

UGNT καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἦλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐθαύμαζον ὅτι μετὰ γυναικὸς ἐλάλει; οὐδεὶς μέντοι εἶπεν, τί ζητεῖς? ἢ, τί λαλεῖς μετ’ αὐτῆς?
(kai epi toutōi aʸlthon hoi mathaʸtai autou, kai ethaumazon hoti meta gunaikos elalei; oudeis mentoi eipen, ti zaʸteis? aʸ, ti laleis met’ autaʸs?)

SBL-GNT Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἦλθαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ⸀ἐθαύμαζον ὅτι μετὰ γυναικὸς ἐλάλει· οὐδεὶς μέντοι εἶπεν· Τί ζητεῖς; ἢ τί λαλεῖς μετʼ αὐτῆς;
(Kai epi toutōi aʸlthan hoi mathaʸtai autou, kai ⸀ethaumazon hoti meta gunaikos elalei; oudeis mentoi eipen; Ti zaʸteis? aʸ ti laleis metʼ autaʸs;)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἦλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν ὅτι μετὰ γυναικὸς ἐλάλει· οὐδεὶς μέντοι εἶπεν, Τί ζητεῖς; ἤ, Τί λαλεῖς μετ' αὐτῆς;
(Kai epi toutōi aʸlthon hoi mathaʸtai autou, kai ethaumasan hoti meta gunaikos elalei; oudeis mentoi eipen, Ti zaʸteis; aʸ, Ti laleis met' autaʸs;)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ [fn]ἦλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ [fn]ἐθαύμασαν ὅτι μετὰ γυναικὸς ἐλάλει· οὐδεὶς μέντοι εἶπε, Τί ζητεῖς; ἤ, Τί λαλεῖς μετ᾽ αὐτῆς;
(Kai epi toutōi aʸlthon hoi mathaʸtai autou, kai ethaumasan hoti meta gunaikos elalei; oudeis mentoi eipe, Ti zaʸteis; aʸ, Ti laleis meta autaʸs; )

4:27 ηλθον ¦ ηλθαν NA SBL WH

4:27 εθαυμασαν ¦ εθαυμαζον CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–42: Jesus spoke with a woman from Samaria

In this section Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman who had come to get water from a well. Jesus asked her for a drink of water. The woman was surprised that he spoke to her. Jesus was a Jew, and most Jewish people hated the Samaritans. But Jesus stayed and talked with the woman.

Jesus told the woman that he could give her living water, and he told her that he was the Messiah. The women went back to her town and brought many of the other Samaritan people to Jesus.

It is good to translate the section before giving it a title. Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus brought good news to the hated Samaritan people

The conversation at the well

Paragraph 4:27–30

The disciples returned to the well and were surprised to find Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman. The woman then left her water jar at the well and hurried to her town to tell the people there about Jesus. Then the people went to the well to meet Jesus.

4:27a

Just then His disciples returned

¶ Right then Jesus’ disciples returned
¶ At that moment Jesus’ followers arrived.

Just then His disciples returned: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as Just then introduces something that happened right away. For example:

At this time the disciples returned with food

At that very moment his disciples came back (NET)

disciples: The Greek word that the BSB translates as disciples refers to learners or followers who are in a special relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to follow his teaching and example. Disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went. See how you translated this term in 1:35.

4:27b

and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman.

and were very surprised to see him talking with a woman.
They were quite amazed to find/see him speaking with a woman!

were surprised that He was speaking with a woman: The disciples did not expect Jesus to talk to women. Jewish tradition advised men, and especially rabbis, to not to talk to women other than their wives. The Greek word that the BSB translates as surprised means “astonished” or “amazed.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

were astonished that he was speaking with a woman (NRSV)

They were shocked to find him talking to a woman (NLT)

4:27c

But no one asked Him, “What do You want from her?” or “Why are You talking with her?”

But no one asked, “What do you^(sing) want from her?” or “Why are you speaking to her?”
But not one of them asked him why he wanted to talk to a woman.

But: The Greek word that the BSB translates as But introduces something that is not what one expects. The disciples wanted to know why Jesus was talking with the woman, but they did not ask him about it.

no one asked Him: The phrase no one refers to none of the disciples.

What do You want from her?: There are two ways to understand the question What do You want from her?:

It was directed at Jesus and means “Why are you talking with her?” For example:
But none of them asked him, “What do you want from her?” (GW)
(BSB, NLT, CEV, GW, NASB, NJB)
It was directed at the woman and means “Why are you speaking with Jesus?” For example:
But none of them said to her, “What do you want?” (GNT) (GNT)

The KJV, RSV, REB, NET, NIV, and NCV are ambiguous but more naturally refer to Jesus, which the following question clearly does. Either interpretation is possible. However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and most Bible scholars.

You: The pronoun You is singular. If you follow interpretation (1), it refers to Jesus.

or: The Greek word that the BSB translates as or here introduces another question that the disciples did not ask.

Why are You talking with her: The disciples wondered why Jesus was talking with the woman. This probably means about the same thing as the previous question, “What do you want?”

You: The pronoun You is singular and refers to Jesus.

General Comment on 4:27c

In some languages it may be more natural to translate 4:27c as indirect speech, perhaps combining the two questions. For example:

But none of them asked him what he wanted or why he was talking with her. (CEV)

but none of them asked him why he was doing it or what they had been discussing. (NLT)

but none of them asked what Jesus wanted and/or what was the reason that he was talking with her

BMM BibleMapper.com Maps:

Map

Jesus Speaks with a Woman in Samaria

John 4

As the story of Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman demonstrates, even simple geography–the divine arrangement of places where God leads us in life–can position us for fruitful ministry if we are willing to reach out to those along our journey. This episode in Jesus’ ministry occurred immediately after Jesus had cleared the Temple in Jerusalem and was gaining even more followers than John the Baptist (John 2:13-25; 4:1-3). Likely wanting to avoid a direct clash with Jewish leadership so early in his ministry, Jesus chose instead to return to Galilee. The most direct route from Jerusalem to Galilee passed through Samaria, and, as the Jewish historian Josephus notes, this was the route normally chosen by most Jews at the time (Antiquities of the Jews, Book XX:6). The city of Samaria (renamed Sebaste by Jesus’ time) was originally the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, but in 722 B.C. the Assyrians exiled many Israelites to other parts of their empire and relocated other foreign peoples in Israel (2 Kings 15:29; 17:1-24; 1 Chronicles 5:26; also see “Israelites Are Exiled to Assyria”). This diverse population then developed a new religion that mixed elements of Israelite worship with pagan worship (2 Kings 17:24-41), and centuries later they set up their own temple on Mount Gerizim. Because of their mixed ancestry and religion, Samaritans were often detested by many Jews (John 4:9), and hostilities periodically erupted between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus himself would later be refused entry into Samaria while traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem (Luke 9:52-56; also see “Jesus’ Final Journey to Jerusalem”), and Josephus notes that about 20 years after this time a number of Galileans were killed by Samaritans as they attempted to make their way to Jerusalem through the village of Ginae. Probably because of these hostilities, some Jews preferred to take alternate routes that bypassed Samaria. Still other Jews chose these routes to avoid even associating with Samaritans. Jesus, however, appears to have chosen the more direct route through Samaria, which led him to the village of Sychar–right next to the ancient site of Shechem and Mount Gerizim. There he met a Samaritan woman by a well and spoke to her about God’s gift of living water for her soul. He also revealed supernatural knowledge about her, so she asked him whether Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem was the proper place to worship. Jesus gently rebuked her belief in Samaritan worship practices, but he also assured her that one day the physical location of worshipers will no longer matter. Instead, all true believers will worship God in spirit and truth. When Jesus revealed to the woman that he was the Messiah, she left her water jar and told the townspeople about Jesus. Meanwhile, Jesus’ disciples returned, and Jesus urged them to recognize that the fields were ripe for harvesting, presumably meaning that many Samaritans were ready to believe in him. Because of the Samaritan woman’s testimony, many of the townspeople believed in Jesus and persuaded him to stay there two more days before returning to Galilee. Years later the apostle Philip found fruitful ministry among the Samaritans as well, and many came to faith in Jesus (Acts 8:5-13; also see “The Ministries of Philip and Peter”).