In this context, believe should not be understood in the sense of “to trust in” or “to be loyal to,” but simply “to accept as true what one says.” This meaning may be made explicit in some languages as “believe what I am going to tell you.”

The verb phrase people will … worship is literally “you (plural) … will worship.” The use of “you” in such a context is generic; it refers to all people, not merely to the person or persons addressed. Thus Jesus is not referring merely to the woman herself or to her Samaritan countrymen; rather, he is making an all-inclusive statement.

Woman is the same form of address used in 2.4 and 19.26. It is a polite form of address (see notes at 2.4) and in this context seems to fit well. In some languages, however, it would be inappropriate, as depreciatory or derogatory. However, in some languages the word “woman,” when used in direct address, is equivalent to “wife.” In such instances a different expression must be employed, or the term must be omitted.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .