4:8

In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “because.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, but leaves it implicit. This word introduces the reason why Jesus asked the woman, and not his disciples, for water.

Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

⌊Jesus asked the woman⌋ because

Translate this conjunction in the way that is the most natural way in your language to introduce a reason.

(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.): This is a parenthetical comment, giving the reason why Jesus asked the woman, and not his disciples, for a drink. The disciples had come with Jesus to this place but had then left him alone in order to get food. This reason is a comment by John the author, It is not part of the conversation. It is not part of the story line. The Berean Standard Bible shows this by putting the comment in parentheses.

Use whatever way is natural in your language to indicate that this is the author’s comment that gives a reason.

See the General Comment on 4:6–8 for an example of how to put this information in chronological order.

General Comment on 4:6–8

In some languages it may be natural to put the background information before the conversation between Jesus and the woman. For example:

6–8 The well that Jacob had dug was still there, and Jesus sat down beside it because he was tired from traveling. It was noon, and after Jesus’ disciples had gone into town to buy some food, a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well.

Jesus asked her, “Would you please give me a drink of water?” (Contemporary English Version)

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