John 4:39-42
The Savior of the World
Read the passage
39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
40So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days.
41And many more believed because of His message.
42They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Many Samaritans from the town believe in Jesus because of the woman's testimony: He told her everything she had ever done. Their faith begins with her witness, but they do not stop there.
The Samaritans come to Jesus and ask Him to stay with them. He stays two days. Many more believe because of His word.
They tell the woman that they no longer believe merely because of what she said. They have heard Jesus for themselves and know that He is indeed the Savior of the world.
The town's response is communal and personal. One woman's testimony opens the door, Jesus' teaching deepens the faith, and the people make their own confession about who He is. The Savior's reach is not restricted by the old hostility between Jews and Samaritans.
Questions
1 Why do many Samaritans first believe?
AnswerThey believe because of the woman's testimony that Jesus told her everything she had ever done.
2 What do the Samaritans ask Jesus to do?
AnswerThey ask Jesus to stay, and He remains for two days, giving the Samaritans time to hear Him directly and believe.
3 What causes more people to believe?
AnswerMore people believe because they hear Jesus' word for themselves, not only because they received the woman's report.
4 What do they call Jesus?
AnswerThey call Him the Savior of the world, a confession that reaches beyond their town and ethnic boundary.
What This Means for Us
The woman's testimony matters, but mature faith is not borrowed forever. A family can tell children what it believes while also helping them listen to Jesus and ask their own honest questions.
The Samaritans welcome Jesus across a historic divide. Christian confession is too large to become a possession of one family, class, ethnicity, or nation.
Prayer
Savior of the world, thank You for meeting people across our divisions. Make our household truthful witnesses, eager listeners, and a welcoming place where others can hear Your word for themselves. Amen.