Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

JOHN 4:16KJV
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John 4:16 (KJV)

What does John 4:16 mean?

John 4:16 records Jesus telling the Samaritan woman at the well to go, call her husband, and come back to him. This statement sets up the next part of their conversation, where Jesus reveals his knowledge of her personal life.

In this moment, Jesus is speaking directly to a Samaritan woman during their encounter at Jacob’s well. By asking her to bring her husband, Jesus gently leads the conversation toward a deeper, more personal level, preparing to reveal something significant about her life and his own identity. This request is not just practical but is meant to open up the truth about her situation, which becomes important in the verses that follow.

The Greek behind John 4:16

  • ὕπαγε (hypage, "Go"): This Greek word often carries the sense of "go away" or "depart." Here, it is a direct instruction, showing Jesus taking initiative in guiding the conversation.
  • φώνησον (phōnēson, "call"): This word means "to call" or "summon," emphasizing that Jesus is asking her to actively bring someone else into the conversation, not just mention him.
  • ἄνδρα (andra, "husband"): The Greek word refers specifically to a man in the role of a husband, which will be important as Jesus reveals his knowledge of her relationships.

Why John 4:16 matters

  • John 4:16 shifts the conversation from general spiritual matters to the woman’s personal life, showing Jesus’ insight and care for individuals.
  • This verse prepares the ground for Jesus to reveal his knowledge of her past, which astonishes her and leads to her recognizing him as a prophet.
  • The instruction to call her husband highlights the cultural and relational context of the conversation, showing Jesus’ sensitivity to social norms while still addressing deeper truths.

Where else these words appear

“hither” Greek G1759 · used in 8 verses

  • Luke 24:41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
  • Acts 10:18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
  • Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

“call” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  • John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

“Go” Greek G5217 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Mark 6:38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
  • John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?