John 4:39-45

39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

40 So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that He would tarry with them: and He abode there two days.

41 And many more believed because of His own word;

42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.

43 Now after two days He departed thence, and went into Galilee.

44 For Jesus Himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in His own country.

45 Then when He was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received Him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Prophecy of Christ’s ministry in Galillee — Isaiah 9:1-2: Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The reason for His ministry is given in Matthew 4:12-16: Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

know (verse 42) = absolute knowledge and complete perception

Verse 42 — Many manuscripts do not include “the Christ.” The woman told them who He was — the Christ — but now they discovered what He was — the Savior.

country (verse 44) = father country, native place

His own country — Nazareth of Galilee (Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24)

received Him (verse 45) — as a miracle-worker, but not as a prophet or as Messiah (see John 2:24-25 and John 4:48)

The Jews believed (but not really) because of His miracles. The Samaritans really believed because of His word alone without any miracles.