John 4:26

John 4:26 Meaning and Explanation

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

King James Version (KJV)

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Jesus tells her openly: I that speak unto thee am he — the Messiah she awaits.

What Does John 4:26 Mean?

It is his plainest self-disclosure yet in this Gospel, and he gives it not to rulers in Jerusalem but to a Samaritan woman at a well. In the Greek the sentence is stark: I am, the one speaking to you.

Consider whom he chose to hear it first — a foreigner, a woman, a soul with a complicated history, alone at noon. That is the pattern of grace from beginning to end. And consider how he says it: not, the Messiah has arrived, but I that speak unto thee. Revelation in this Gospel is personal address; the Christ is not a topic to be discussed but a voice that speaks, still, to one listener at a time.

John 4:26 in the Original Language

ego eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι), 'I am he' -- literally 'I am'; Jesus' own unveiled declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions About John 4:26

What does John 4:26 mean?

Jesus tells her openly: I that speak unto thee am he — the Messiah she awaits.

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