4:18a
In fact: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as In fact means “because.” Here it introduces Jesus’ grounds for saying the woman was right. He knew that she had had five husbands before. He also knew that at that time she was living with another man who was not her husband. In some languages it is more natural to say this in a different way. For example:
For (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
The fact is (New International Version)
you have had five husbands: This clause means that the woman had had five husbands one after another, not at the same time. In some languages it may be more natural to say:
You have been married to five men (Good News Translation)
-or-
Five men have married you (sing.)
4:18b
the man you now have is not your husband: The phrase the man you now have refers to the man she was living with at that time. It apparently refers to another man, a sixth man, not one of the five husbands. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
the man you live with now is not really your husband (Good News Translation)
-or-
you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now (New Living Translation (2004))
4:18c
You have spoken truthfully: This repeats the information from 4:17b, “you are right in saying.” Other ways to translate this include.
You’ve told the truth. (God’s Word)
-or-
You certainly spoke the truth! (New Living Translation (2004))
General Comment on 4:17–18
In some languages it may be more natural to combine 4:17–18. For example:
17–18 “That’s right,” Jesus replied, “you are telling the truth. You don’t have a husband. You have already been married five times, and the man you are now living with isn’t your husband.” (Contemporary English Version)
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