How does John 4:18 reveal Jesus' knowledge of our personal lives and sins? Setting the Scene at Jacob’s Well • Jesus, traveling through Samaria, pauses at a historic well (John 4:4–6). • In midday heat He meets a Samaritan woman coming alone—already hinting at a complicated life. • Their conversation moves from water to worship, and suddenly Jesus lays bare her hidden story. The Remark that Stops Her Cold “ ‘For you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.’ ” (John 4:18) What John 4:18 Shows about Jesus’ Knowledge • Supernatural insight—Jesus names her marital history without prior contact or hearsay. • Total recall—He accurately recounts both past (“five husbands”) and present (“the man you now have”). • Moral discernment—He labels the current arrangement as outside God’s design (“not your husband”). • Compassionate purpose—His revelation is not to shame but to invite her to “living water” (John 4:10). Scriptural Echoes of the Same Truth • Psalm 139:1–4—God knows every word before it is spoken. • John 2:24–25—Jesus “knew what was in a man.” • Hebrews 4:13—“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” • Matthew 10:30—Even the hairs of our head are numbered. Together, these passages affirm that Christ’s knowledge in John 4:18 is neither isolated nor exaggerated; it is the consistent, literal portrait Scripture paints. Why This Matters for Us • No secret is secret—Our private thoughts and actions are fully visible to the Lord. • Sin cannot be managed by concealment—Only confession and repentance bring freedom (1 John 1:9). • Jesus exposes to heal—He uncovers sin so He can cover it with grace (Romans 5:20). • Personal invitation—Just as the Samaritan woman received living water, every sinner aware of being known can receive eternal life (John 4:14; John 3:16). Living Before the One Who Knows • Walk transparently—Daily life is already an open book to Him; honesty before God is simply agreeing with reality. • Pursue holiness—Since He sees all, holiness is never wasted effort (1 Peter 1:15–16). • Share the news—Like the woman running to her town (John 4:28–29), testify that the Savior “told me everything I ever did” and still offered redemption. |
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