Ἰωάννην 4:27

Greek Modern Translation

Και επανω εις τουτο ηλθον οι μαθηται αυτου και εθαυμασαν οτι ελαλει μετα γυναικος· ουδεις ομως ειπε, Τι ζητεις; η Τι λαλεις μετ' αυτης;

Parallel Translations

SBL Greek New Testament (2010)
Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἦλθαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ⸀ἐθαύμαζον ὅτι μετὰ γυναικὸς ἐλάλει· οὐδεὶς μέντοι εἶπεν· Τί ζητεῖς; ἢ τί λαλεῖς μετ αὐτῆς;

Tischendorf 8th Edition
Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἦλθαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐθαύμαζον ὅτι μετὰ γυναικὸς ἐλάλει· οὐδεὶς μέντοι εἶπεν· τί ζητεῖς ἤ τί λαλεῖς μετ’ αὐτῆς;

Textus Receptus (1550/1894)
και επι τουτω ηλθον οι μαθηται αυτου και εθαυμασαν οτι μετα γυναικος ελαλει ουδεις μεντοι ειπεν τι ζητεις η τι λαλεις μετ αυτης

Westcott/Hort UBS4 (1881)
και επι τουτω ηλθαν οι μαθηται αυτου και εθαυμαζον οτι μετα γυναικος ελαλει ουδεις μεντοι ειπεν τι ζητεις η τι λαλεις μετ αυτης

Byzantine/Majority Text
και επι τουτω ηλθον οι μαθηται αυτου και εθαυμασαν οτι μετα γυναικος ελαλει ουδεις μεντοι ειπεν τι ζητεις η τι λαλεις μετ αυτης

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

marvelled: John 4:9, Luke 7:39

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:15 - What 2 Kings 4:27 - thrust Mark 9:32 - were John 21:12 - durst Acts 10:28 - that it

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And upon this came his disciples,.... Just as he was saying the above words, and making himself known in this full manner, his disciples, who had been into the city to buy food, came up to them:

and marvelled that he talked with the woman; or with a woman; for, according to the Jewish canons, it was not judged decent, right, and proper, nor indeed lawful, to enter into a conversation, or hold any long discourse with a woman. Their rule is this,

"do not multiply discourse with a woman, with his wife they say, much less with his neighbour's wife: hence the wise men say, at whatsoever time a man multiplies discourse with a woman, he is the cause of evil to himself, and ceases from the words of the law, and at last shall go down into hell q.''

And especially this was thought to be very unseemly in any public place, as in an inn, or in the street: hence that direction r,

"let not a man talk with a woman in the streets, even with his wife; and there is no need to say with another man's wife.''

And particularly it was thought very unbecoming a religious man, a doctor, or scholar, or a disciple of a wise man so to do. This is one of the six things which are a reproach to a scholar, "to talk with a woman in the street" s. And it is even said t,

"let him not talk with a woman in the street, though she is his wife, or his sister, or his daughter.''

And besides, the disciples might marvel, not only that he talked with a woman, but that he should talk with that woman, who was a Samaritan; since the Jews had no familiar conversation with Samaritans, men or women: and the woman was as much astonished that Christ should have anything to say to her, and especially to ask a favour of her; for though they might, and did converse in a way of trade and business, yet did they not multiply discourse, or enter into a free conversation with one another: and it may be, that the disciples might overhear what he said to the woman, just as they came up; so that their astonishment was not merely at his talking with a woman, and with a Samaritan woman, but at what he said unto her, that he should so plainly tell her that he was the Messiah, when he so strictly charged them to tell no man.

Yet no man said; no, not Peter, as Nonnus observes, who was bold and forward to put and ask questions: "what seekest thou?" or inquirest of her about? is it food, or drink, or what? "or why talkest thou with her?" when it is not customary, seemly, and lawful. It may be considered, whether or no these two questions may not relate separately, the one to the woman, the other to Christ; as, the first,

what seekest thou? to the woman; and the sense be, that no man said to her, what do you want with our master? what are you inquiring about of him? what would you have of him? or what do you seek for from him? and the latter,

why talkest thou with her? peculiarly to Christ. The Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, and Beza's ancient copy indeed read, "no man said to him"; which confines both the questions to Christ. Now this shows the reverence the disciples had for Christ, and the great opinion they entertained of him, that whatever he did was well, and wisely done, though it might seem strange to them, and they could not account for it: however, they did not think that he, who was their Lord and master, was accountable to them for what he did; and they doubted not but he had good reasons for his conduct.

q Pirke Abot, c. 1. sect. 5. Abot R, Nathan, c. 7. fol. 3. 3. & Derech Eretz, fol. 17. 3. r Bemidbar Rabba, sect 10. fol. 200. 2. s T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 43. 2. t Maimon. Hilch. Dayot, c. 5. sect. 7.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Upon this - At this time.

Marvelled - Wondered. They wondered because the Jews had no contact with the Samaritans, and they were surprised that Jesus was engaged with her in conversation.

Yet no man said - No one of the disciples. They had such respect and reverence for him that they did not dare to ask him the reason of his conduct, or even to appear to reprove him. We should be confident that Jesus is right, even if we cannot fully understand all that he does.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 27. Came his disciples — From the town, whither they went to buy food, John 4:8.

Marvelled that he talked with the woman — Because it was contrary to the custom of the eastern countries; and there are many canons, among the rabbins, against it. To the present time, if a man meet even his own wife in the street, he does not speak to her; and this is done to keep up the appearance of a chastity and temperance of which the eastern world knows nothing. They might wonder how a Samaritan, in whom they could expect no spirituality, could listen to the conversation of their Master, who never spake but about heavenly things.

Yet no man said, c.] They were awed by his majesty, and knew that he must have sufficient reasons to induce him to act a part to which he was not at all accustomed. A great man has said, "Converse sparingly, if at all, with women and never alone." Every minister of the Gospel will do well to attend to this advice.