BHT with Abridged Translator’s NotesJohn 4 =
4
“The Water That I Will Give Him Will Become in Him a Fountain of Water Springing Up unto Life in the Coming Age”
1 Now then, when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he+ was making and baptizing even more disciples than John, 2 (although actually it wasn’t Jesus himself who was baptizing, but his disciples), 3 he left Judea and set out once more for Galilee. 4 Now it was God’s will for him to make the journey using the alternative route through the region of Samaria. 5 So he came to a Samaritan town called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.+ 6 Jacob’s well was there, and so Jesus, worn out from the journey, sat down near the well. It was about noon.+
7 When a Samaritan woman came to the well to draw some water, Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink of water.” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy some food.)
9 “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan,” replied the Samaritan woman. “So how can you possibly request a drink of water from me?”+ (Jews typically refuse to use cups or bowls that have been touched by Samaritans,+ you see.)
10 “If you had recognized the gift of God and who it is that is asking you for a drink,” replied Jesus, “you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman+ said to him, “you don’t have a thing with which to draw water,+ and the well is deep. Where then are you going to get this ‘living water’? 12 Surely you aren’t greater, are you, than our ancestor+ Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, along with his sons and his livestock?”
13 “Anyone who drinks this water,” replied Jesus, “will become thirsty again. 14 If someone drinks the water that I will give him, however, he will never be thirsty again. In fact, the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain+ of water springing up unto life in the coming age.+”
15 “Sir, please give me this water,” said the woman, “so that I won’t become thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 “Go and call your husband,” Jesus+ said to her, “and then come back here.”
17 “I don’t have a husband,” answered the woman.
“Right you are in saying, ‘I don’t have a husband,’ ” said Jesus.18 “The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you are living with+ right now isn’t your husband. What you’ve just told me is very true.+”
19 “I can see that you are, sir, a prophet,” the woman said to him. 20 “As for our ancestors,+ this mountain is where they worshiped. ᵖYou Jews,+ however, claim that Jerusalem is the place where people are required to offer worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Trust me, dear woman, a time+ is coming when ᵖyou will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 ᵖYou Samaritans comprehend very little about the one you worship;+ we Jews+ worship him with knowledge and understanding,+ because it is from the Jews that salvation comes. 23 Yet a time+ is coming, and is here even now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father by the Spirit+ and in truth. The Father is searching for people of this kind, you see, to be his worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must do so+ by the Spirit,+ yes, and in truth.”
25 “I know that the Messiah is going to come,”+ the woman said to him, “the one who is called ‘the Anointed One.’ When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 “I AM,”+ said Jesus, “the one who is speaking with you.”
27 Just then his disciples returned, and they were shocked to find him talking with a woman. Yet no one asked, “What do ˢyou want?” or, “Why are ˢyou talking with her?”
28 So the woman left her water jar and went back into the town. 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done!” she said to the people. “This man himself can’t possibly be the Messiah, can he?” 30 So the people+ left the town and started making their way toward Jesus.+
31 In the meantime, the disciples were begging Jesus,+ “Rabbi, please eat something!”
32 “I have a kind of food,”+ Jesus+ answered, “that ᵖyou disciples don’t know anything about.”
33 At that, the disciples began to say to one another, “Could someone else have brought him something to eat? Surely not!”
34 “My own food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. 35 ᵖYou know this saying, do you not:+ ‘ Four months more, and then the harvest comes’? Listen, I tell ᵖyou this: Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, how ripe they are for harvest! 36 The reaper is already receiving his wages and gathering a crop for life in the coming age,+ so that the one who sows and the one who reaps may rejoice together. 37 In this, you see, the saying is true, namely, that ‘it is one who sows and another who reaps’: 38 I have sent ᵖyou to reap a harvest in a field where you yourselves haven’t done any work. It is others who have done the initial work. And as for ᵖyou, it is the fruit of their hard work that ᵖyou now get to enjoy.+”
39 From that town many, many of the Samaritans placed their faith in him because of the woman’s testimony, when she said them,+ “He told me everything I’ve ever done.” 40 When the Samaritans came to him, therefore, they kept begging him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And so even more people, many more, believed because of the things he said.+ 42 And they kept saying to the woman, “Now it isn’t just because of your own testimony that we believe. Indeed, we have heard him ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.”
“Jesus Left That Place for Galilee”
43 After those two days, Jesus+ left that place for Galilee. 44 (Jesus himself, you see, had solemnly stated that a prophet doesn’t receive, in his own hometown, any honor.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, then, the Galileans welcomed him, because they had seen everything that he had done in Jerusalem during the festival. (They, too, had themselves gone to the festival, you see.)
“This Jesus Did, after Coming from Judea to Galilee, as His Second Miraculous Sign”
46 So Jesus+ went back to Cana of Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. Meanwhile, there was a certain royal official whose son was sick in the town of Capernaum. 47 This official, when he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, went to him and began to beg him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless ᵖyou see these—miraculous signs and wonders— ᵖyou will most certainly not believe.”
49 “Sir,” said the official, “please come down before my child dies.”
50 “ˢYou may go on home,” Jesus said to him. “Your son is going to live.” The man believed what Jesus told him and started on his way.
51 Now while the official was still on his way down, his slaves met him and told him that his son was going to live. 52 He asked them, therefore, what time it was when his son’s health had begun to improve.
“It was yesterday,” they replied, “at one in the afternoon.+ That’s when the fever left him.”
53 At that, the father remembered that this was the exact time+ at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son is going to live.” And so the official+ and his entire household believed.
54 This Jesus did, after coming from Judea to Galilee, as his second miraculous sign.
+1:4Lit in him was life. ME (see translation and notes at Jn 5:26). Cf NLT, TEV. “Life” here doesn’t mean “alive,” but possessing the power to give life as the source of life. Trying to maintain some measure of consistency in translation here with Jn 5:26, so that the connection isn’t lost to English readers.+1:4Cf Ps 36:9.+1:5Cf Is 42:5-9; 49:1-6.+1:5Or did not overcome.+1:5Or comprehend. Cf 1 Co 2:8.+1:7Lit through him, or through it. ME. Cf NLT.+1:8Lit that man. Cf NET, NLT, TEV.+1:9Lit He was.+1:9Or The true light, which gives light to every human being, was coming into the world, or He was the true light that gives light to every human being coming into the world. Following the lead of the ISV in translation here. Cf Jn 6:14, 9:39, 11:27, 16:28.+1:11Or to his very own creation. Lit to his own things. ME (see NAC [Jn], 114; UBSHS [Jn], 18). Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, TEV.+1:13Lit who. Cf NET, NIV.+1:13For a discussion of the range of meaning possible with γεννάω ( gennaō), see notes at 1 Pt 1:3. Conception is primarily in view here, with the rest of the birth process also implied on some level. Cf also the translation and notes at Ga 4:21-30.+1:13Lit not of bloods. ME(I/F/H) (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:13).+1:13Lit nor from the will/desire of the flesh. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 19). Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G (see FBT Chart). Cf NET.+1:13Or a husband’s decision.+1:14Lit The Word became flesh. ME (see translation and notes at Rm 8:3 and Php 2:6-8; FBT Chart, C, F, G, I, M, N). Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G, M (see FBT Chart).+1:14Cf, eg, Ex 40:34; Lv 16:2; Nu 9:15.+1:14Or unique, or only, or one-of-a-kind. For a brief discussion of the meaning of μονογενής ( monogenēs), see NET Bibles Notes, Jn 1:16. Cf ISV, NET. In Heb 11:17, the term is used of Isaac, who wasn’t Abraham’s only son, but his “unique” son in the sense that the covenant was to be confirmed with him and the promises to be fulfilled through his line (cf Gn 17:19, 21:12).+1:14Cf Jn 17:5.+1:14Lit full of grace and truth. ME (OTB) (see LALS, sv ἀλήθεια; Ibid, sv χάρις; NAC [Jn], 121; UBSHS [Jn], 22). Cf the LXX and the MT, eg, at Ge 24:27, 47:29; 2 Sa 2:6, 15:20; 2 Ch 32:1; Ne 9:33; Ps 26:3, 30:9, 35:6, 40:10, 54:5, 69:13, 88:11, 89:5, 92:2, 119:138.+1:15Lit and cried out, saying.+1:16Lit from his fullness. ME (see translation and notes at Eph 3:19; Col 2:9; BDAG, 829, sv 3.b.; NAC [Jn], 123; Robertson, Word Pictures, Jn 1:16; Vincent, Word Studies, 2:57). The UBSHS claims that here πλήρωμα ( plērōma) “is used in a nontechnical sense and refers back to the phrase grace and truth in verse 14” ( UBSHS [Jn], 25, italics original). I disagree. The reference in v 15 to the Son’s pre-existence in the preceding verse makes the “fullness of divine nature” interpretation just as plausible as a limited reference to “grace and truth” in v 14. True, this is only place where the term is used in John’s gospel. Still, this idea was clearly a part of the authoritative body of apostolic teaching that was passed on from church to church, and wasn’t just a part of Paul’s theology (cf 1 Co 11:2, 15:1-3; Ga 1:18, 2:6; Php 2:6-11; 2 Th 2:15; 1 Ti 3:16). “Steadfast love/grace” and “truth/faithfulness” are, of course, an important part of God’s nature, but “fullness” by definition isn’t limited to those aspects.+1:16Or blessing. Lit grace. ME (see L-N, 57.103, 88.66; translation and note at “faithfulness” in v 14 above). Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:17Lit grace and truth. ME (see translation and note at v 14).+1:17Lit have become, or have been done. Cf UBSHS (Jn), 26. “Shown” is the verb typically used in English translations with these concepts in the OT (see, eg, most English translations at Ex 20:6 and Dt 5:10).+1:18Or The matchless/unique/only God. Following the NET in translation here. For a brief discussion of some of the textual and translational questions involved here, see NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:18.+1:18Lit who is at the bosom of the Father. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 557, sv κόλπος 1; L-N, 34.18; NAC [Jn], 124). Cf NET.+1:19Lit the Jews. ME(H) (see BDAG, 478, sv Ἰουδαῖος, 2.e.β.; NAC [Jn], 126; NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:19; UBSHS [Jn], 29; translation and notes at Ac 9:22). Cf NCV, NET, NLT, TEV.+1:19Lit to ask, “Who are you?” Cf NIV.+1:20Lit and he openly acknowledged, and did not deny but openly acknowledged. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 30). Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV.+1:21Lit “What then?” ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:21Cf Ml 4:5.+1:21Lit he.+1:21Cf Dt 18:15-18.+1:23Lit he.+1:23Is 40:3+1:24Lit were part of the Pharisees, or were from the Pharisees. ME(H)/IT (see ANLEX, 397, sv Φαρισαῖος; L-N, 11.49; NET Bible Notes, Jn 1:24).+1:26Or in. So throughout Jn 1.+1:29Lit he.+1:29Or who is going to take away. Scholars are divided as to whether this statement is reflective of John the Baptist’s theology, or that of John himself. If the former is the situation, the cleansing is probably meant to be understood apocalyptically (for further discussion, see UBSHS [Jn], 36). John the Baptist’s messages in the other gospels are clearly apocalyptic in orientation (see Mt 3; Lk 3), and, since the Apostle John himself ascribes these words to John the Baptist, there is no reason to doubt that this is reflective of the John the Baptist’s own position. This interpretation is reflected in the translation.+1:29Cf Mt 3:9; Lk 3:8-9; Re 17:14.+1:31Cf CJB, TEV.+1:32Or from the sky.+1:37Lit heard him speaking. ME. Cf ESV, HCSB, ISV, NET, NIV, NRSV, RSV, TEV.+1:38Cf NCV, TEV.+1:39Lit The hour was about the tenth. ME(H). Cf ISV, NCV, NET, NLT.+1:40Lit heard from John. ME. Cf NET, NIV, NLT.+1:40Lit and followed him.+1:42Lit him.+1:42Κηφᾶς ( kēphas) (“Cephas” in many translations) is the Aramaic surname for Simon (see L-N, 93.211). Cf CJB.+1:42Lit which is translated Peter. ME/IT (see ESL, #4074; L-N, 93.296). Cf CJB, TEV.+1:43Lit he.+1:43IT (see L-N, 93.444).+1:43Lit follow me. ME(H) (see translation and notes at Mt 4:19).+1:45Cf Gn 3:15, 9:27, 12:1-3, 49:8-12; Ex 12:1-28; Lv 23:4-44; Nu 24:15-19; Dt 15:15-18, 16:1-8; Jn 19:36; 1 Co 5:7.+1:45Cf Is 4:2, 7:14, 9:1-7, 11:1-6, 24:21-25, 28:16, 30:19-26, 42:1-7, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12, 55:3-5, 61:1-3, 63:1-6; Jr 23:5-6, 30:9, 30:21, 33:14-16; Ezk 17:22-24, 21:25-27, 34:23-31, 37:15-28; Dn 7:13-14, 9:24-27; Ho 3:4-5; Jl 2:23; Am 9:11-15; Mic 2:12-13, 5:1-4; Hg 2:6-9, 2:21-23; Ac 3:8-10, 6:9-15, 9:9-10, 10:4, 11:4-14, 12:10, 13:7; Ml 3:1, 4:2.+1:47Lit in whom. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, and TEV at Jn 2:25; NIV and TEV at Jn 5:42.+1:47An allusion to Ps 32:2.+1:48Lit to him.+1:49Cf, eg, 2 Sa 7; 1 Ch 17; Ps 2, 89, 132.+1:51Or the sky.+1:51An allusion to Gn 28:12.+1:51Cf Gn 28:12; Dn 7:13-14.+2:1Or two days later.+2:4Lit What to me and to you? ME(I/F) (see translation and notes at Mt 8:29; NET Bible Notes, Jn 2:4; UBSHS [Jn], 57). Cf HCSB, LEB, NIV.+2:4Lit hour.+2:6Lit according to the ritual purification/cleansing of the Jews. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT.+2:6Lit each holding two or three measures. ME(H) (see L-N, 81.22). Cf most English translations.+2:7Lit told them.+2:8Or to the head servant/steward.+2:9Lit the man in charge of the banquet.+2:10Lit every man. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 61).+2:10Lit they. Cf NET, NIV.+2:11Or disclosed. Cf HCSB.+2:13Cf Ex 12:14; Dt 16:16.+2:14Lit found in the temple courts. ME (see UBSHS [Lk], 298). Cf NLT.+2:14Or pigeons.+2:16Or the pigeons. Cf Lv 5:7-11. Jesus’ anger toward this particular group may be related to them taking advantage of the poor.+2:17Ps 69:9+2:18Lit the Jews. ME(H) (see note at Jn 1:19).+2:18Lit What sign can you show us that/since these things you do? ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 68). Cf JB.+2:21Lit That one. Cf NCV, NET, NLT.+2:21Lit That one was speaking about the sanctuary of his body.+2:22Cf Lv 23:9-14; 1 Co 15:4.+2:22Lit and in the word that Jesus had said. ME. Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+2:23Lit that one.+2:24Lit because he was knowing all [of them]. ME (see Vincent, Word Studies, 2:88; UBSHS [Jn], 73; translation and notes at Jn 1:48). Note that, as in the case of the imperfect indicative in v 25, imperfective aspect is also encoded in the infinitive here. Vincent’s interpretation in v 25 would also have relevance here, therefore, since v 25 is giving strength and support to these statements (note the presence of γὰρ [ gar] in the final clause there). Cf CJB, NCV, NLT at v 25.+2:25Lit and he had no need that anyone should bear witness about the man. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 73). Cf ISV, CJB, NCV, NLT.+2:25Lit For he himself knew what was in the man. ME (see Vincent, Word Studies, 2:88; UBSHS [Jn], 73). Cf CJB, NAB, NCV, NEB, NLT.+3:1Lit a ruler of the Jews. ME(H) (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 3:1). Cf NET, NIV.+3:2Lit to him.+3:3Drawing from L-N in translation here (see L-N, 41.53). In the NT, γεννάω ( gennaō) can variously refer to conception (see, eg, Mt 1:20; Jn 8:41; Ga 4:23), the time in the womb (see, eg, Lk 23:29), actual birth (see, eg, Mt 2:4; Lk 1:57), or the entire process viewed as whole (see, eg, Lk 1:13), depending on the context. Also, when the father’s role is in view, the focus is on the act of procreation (see, eg, BSL, Jn 3:5, sv—“to be or become conceived due to male agency”), ie, “to beget” (see, eg, the ASV, KJV, NKJV, and YLT at Mt 1:1-16). In John 3, the entire process is in view. “Conception” happens when one receives the deposit/down payment/firstfruits of the Spirit (cf Rm 8:23; 2 Co 1:22; Eph 1:14); “gestation” (ie, sanctification) happens between that time and the Second Coming; and “birth” happens at the Second Coming when Jesus’ people are raised from the dead (cf Rm 8:18-23). Unfortunately, there is no precise English equivalent that adequately captures the richness of the concept here.+3:3The adverb used here (ἄνωθεν [ anōthen]) can mean either “from above” or “again” (see BDAG, 92, sv 1, 4; NET Bible Note, Jn 3:3). Nicodemus interprets the statement as meaning “again,” while Jesus Himself probably has both meanings in view here (cf v 5). There are no ideal translation solutions here, since Nicodemus’ response is based on his failure to understand how Jesus is using the word (for further discussion, see UBSHS [Jn], 78). Still, to keep the idea from becoming completely lost in translation, it has been included in v 7 as an appositional phrase.+3:3In this context, εἶδον ( eidon) means to “experience” (see BDAG, 279, sv 4)—in the sense of witnessing and taking part in future events (cf, eg, Lk 17:22, 20:35, 22:16-18; 1 Co 6:10, 15:50; Rm 8:22-25; Ga 5:21; Php 3:10-11; 2 Ti 4:18; Re 2:26-29; cf especially “enter” in v 5 below), not in the sense of spiritually “seeing” the Messianic Kingdom abstractly redefined (an example of Christo-Platonism; for many resources on Christo-Platonism, see www.danieltrainingnetwork.org). Cf the rendering here with HCSB and NIV renderings of τυγχάνω ( tunchanō) at Lk 20:35 (where it means to “experience” an event; see BDAG, 1019, sv τυγχάνω 1). Cf also UBSHS (Jn), 77.+3:4Lit How can a man be given birth to, being old? ME. Cf CJB, TEV.+3:5Or by/from water and spirit. Cf Is 44:1-5; Ezk 36:24-27, 37:9-10; Jn 1:13; 2 Co 5:17; Ga 4.+3:6Lit by the flesh. Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G (see FBT Chart). Cf translation and notes at Jn 1:13.+3:6Lit is flesh. Translating “flesh” according to “Flesh” G (see FBT Chart). Cf 1 Co 15:50.+3:6Cf 1 Co 15:35-49. As passages like Lk 24:36-43 (“a ghost [lit πνεῦμα ( pneuma)—“spirit”] does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have” [v 39, NIV]) make clear, “spirit” here doesn’t mean complete immateriality (Christo-Platonism) or total discontinuity with the non-resurrected body. There is continuity with the former body, and yet the new body has properties in its glorified state that allow the person to function in some ways like the angels. Cf Is 44:1-5; Mt 22:29-32; Lk 20:34-37, 24:36-43; Jn 3:8, 20:26-27; Ac 23:6; Rm 8:11; Heb 1:7.+3:7See note at “again” in v 3 above.+3:8The Greek word used here (πνεῦμα [ pneuma]) can mean wind, breath, spirit, or Spirit.+3:8Lit where it decides/wants. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 81). Cf Ezk 37:9.+3:8Lit the sound of it. ME. Cf TEV.+3:8In Jesus’ resurrected body, which was spirit-like (see Lk 24:37) or angel-like (see Lk 20:36), though not immaterial and completely discontinuous from his earlier body (see Lk 24:39 and Jn 20:27), Jesus was able to suddenly appear and disappear in a way similar to the angels (cf Mt 28:9-10; Mk 16:12; Lk 24:30, 36-43; Jn 20:19-29; Ac 9:3-5), whom God makes “winds” (Heb 1:7).+3:9Lit How can these things happen? ME. Cf NLT.+3:11Or know.+3:12Lit If I have said to you the things pertaining to the earth and you don’t believe. ME (see ANLEX, 163, sv ἐπίγειος 2; UBSHS [Jn], 83).+3:12Lit How will you believe if I say to you the heavenly things/matters/occurrences? ME (see ANLEX, 163, sv ἐπίγειος 1, 2; UBSHS [Jn], 83). Cf 2 Co 12:3-4.+3:13Lit And no one has ascended into heaven. ME(OTB) (see FSB, Jn 3:13; NAC [Pr], 236; TEV at Pr 30:4). Cf Dt 30:11-14; Pr 30:4 (see esp TEV); Jn 1:18.+3:13Cf Dt 30:11-14; Pr 30:4; Dn 7:13-14; Jn 1:18.+3:14An allusion to Nu 21:8-9.+3:15Although the focus of “eternal life”in the NT is eschatological (see Mt 19:29, 25:46; Mk 10:17, 30; Lk 10:25, 18:18-30; Jn 3:15-16, 6:40, 6:54, 12:25; 1 Co 9:25; Jm 1:12; 1 Jn 2:25; Re 2:10), in some places in John’s writings the new life experienced through the “deposit of the Spirit” (to use Paul’s language; see 2 Co 1:22; Eph 1:14) is also included within its purview (see, eg, Jn 4:14, 6:53, 17:2-3). If God himself is “eternal life” (1 Jn 5:20; cf Jn 1:1-4, 4:14, 5:26), and God gives himself as a gift (through the Spirit) to those who believe, then the gift he gives to those who believe is “eternal life”—not in some generic “quality of life” sense (though “eternal life” does, of course, possess qualities and defining characteristics), but in the sense that God’s own life is at work in them through the eternal Spirit (cf Heb 9:14) until they experience “eternal life” through bodily resurrection (see Jn 4:14, 6:40, 6:44, 6:54; cf Rm 8:18-25; Heb 6:5). In light of this, ἔχω ( exō) in this context means “experience” (see UBSHS [Jn], 88; cf BDAG, 421, sv ἔχω 7; L-N, 90.65), and involves fellowship with the Father and the Son through the Spirit (cf, eg, Jn 6:55-56, 17:3; 1 Jn 1:2-3). Cf Php 3:10-11.+3:15This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+3:16Or unique, or only, or one-of-a-kind. See translation and notes at Jn 1:14.+3:16Cf NCV. In this context, ἀπόλλυμι ( apollumi) is referring to eternal ruin/punishment in Gehenna (note the contrast with “eternal life”). Cf Mt 10:20; 2 Th 1:9; 2 Th 2:10; Re 13:11-17, 14:9-11. Cf also UBSHS (Jn), 89. It does not refer to the annihilation of the wicked.+3:16This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+3:16Cf Re 2:10-11.+3:18Lit in him. Cf NCV, TEV.+3:18Lit already condemned. John is speaking proleptically here (cf translation and notes at Jn 12:31, 16:11). I have signaled this in translation here with “doom,” so that any potential connection with Jn 16:11 isn’t lost for English readers (see translation and notes there). Although proleptic/prophetic perfects typically occur in the apodosis of an implicit or explicit conditional clause (Wallace, Grammar, 581), this is not always the case (see Robertson, Grammar, 898).+3:18Or unique, or only, or one-of-a-kind. See translation and notes at Jn 1:14.+3:20Cf TEV.+3:21Lit who do the truth, or who deal truly. ME(OTB) (see examples cited with Jn 3:21 in BDAG, 42, sv ἀλήθεια 2.b.; L-N, 41.7; UBSHS [Jn], 93). Cf Jn 1:47; 1 Jn 3:5-9. Cf also HCSB, NCV, NIV.+3:21Lit so that it may be made openly/publicly evident/seen/known. ME. Cf ISV.+3:21An emphasis on union with God is present not only in Paul’s writings, but also in John’s (see, eg, Jn 14-17). Cf Mt 5:16; Ga 2:19-20.+3:25Lit therefore.+3:26Cf NEB in UBSHS (Jn), 98.+3:28Lit You yourselves can bear witness that I said. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 98; translation and notes at 2 Th 1:10). Cf NCV.+3:31Lit speaks from the earth. ME. Cf 1 Jn 4:6 (see translation and note there).+3:31Or is above all things.+3:33Lit he.+3:33Cf 1 Jn 1:10.+3:34Lit he.+3:34Lit for he does not give [him] the Spirit by measure. ME (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 3:34; UBSHS [Jn], 103). Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+3:35Lit has given in his hand. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 76.3; NET Bible Notes, Jn 3:35). Cf NCV, NET, TEV.+3:36This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+4:1Lit that Jesus.+4:5Cf Gn 33:19, 48:22; Jsh 24:32.+4:6Lit The hour was about the sixth. ME(H). Cf ISV, NCV, NET, NLT, NRSV, TEV.+4:9Lit How can you, being a Jew, ask to drink from me, being a Samaritan woman? ME. Cf NIV, TEV.+4:9Or refuse to have dealings with Samaritans. ME(H) (see NET Bible Notes, Jn 4:9; UBSHS [Jn], 113). Cf NET, TEV.+4:11Lit she.+4:11Cf NIV.+4:12Or forefather. Lit father.+4:14Or spring.+4:14This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+4:16Lit he.+4:18Lit he whom you have. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NET, NLT, TEV.+4:18Lit This you have said truthfully. ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 119). Cf ESV, HCSB, ISV, NIV, NRSV.+4:20Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+4:20“Jews” is drawn from the plural “you” here, and the context. Cf NLT, TEV.+4:21Lit an hour.+4:22Lit You worship what you do not know. ME (see Robertson, Word Pictures, 121; UBSHS [Jn], 121; Vincent, Word Studies, 2:119; cf the use of the neuter in reference to God here with Ac 17:23). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+4:22“Jews” is drawn from the plural “you” here, and the context.+4:22Lit We worship what we know. ME (see note at “worship” above). Cf Dt 4:1-14; Ps 147:19-20; Rm 3:1-2, 9:3-5.+4:23Lit an hour.+4:23Or in spirit. Cf TEV. Cf also Jn 3:5, 14:17, 15:26, 16:13; Php 3:3.+4:24Lit must worship.+4:24Or in spirit.+4:25Cf Gn 3:15, 49:10; Nu 24:17; Dt 18:15.+4:26Or I myself am he. Cf NLT. I interpret this as a reference to the divine name of Ex 3:14 (see translation and notes at Mt 14:27; cf UBSHS [Jn], 124). This is reflected in the translation. Cf also Ex 23:21; Jn 1:1-3, 17:6. The Samaritans recognized the authority of the Pentateuch, which may be one of the reasons Jesus uses this reference here.+4:30Lit they.+4:30Lit to/toward him.+4:31Lit begging him.+4:32Cf NLT.+4:32Lit he.+4:35Lit You say, do you not? ME (see UBSHS [Jn], 128). Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV.+4:36This is a more literal rendering of ζωὴν αἰώνιον ( zōēn aiōnion), which most English translations render as “eternal life.” See UBSHS (Jn), 88.+4:38Lit and you have entered into their labor. ME (see BDAG, 294, εἰσέρχομαι 2; UBSHS [Jn], 130).+4:39Lit because of the word of the woman testifying. ME. Cf CJB, HCSB, ISV, NCV, NIV, TEV.+4:41Lit because of his word/message/speech. ME. Cf CJB, HCSB, NCV.+4:43Lit he.+4:46Lit he.+4:52Lit at the seventh hour. ME(H). Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NET, NLT, TEV.+4:53Lit at that same hour. ME. Cf NCV, NIV.+4:53Lit he.
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