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John 4:25
ESV The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things."
NIV The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
NASB The woman *said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.'
CSB The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ ). "When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
NLT The woman said, 'I know the Messiah is coming — the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.'
KJV The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
NKJV The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

What does John 4:25 mean?

Jesus' primary conversation in John chapter 3 was with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a wealthy, moral, educated, powerful man. The Samaritan woman Jesus speaks to now is Nicodemus' mirror-image. She is outcast, immoral (John 4:17–18), unlearned, and socially powerless. In the previous verses, Jesus confronted her about her sin. She responded by attempting to change the subject, but Jesus persisted in explaining the truth. That included the idea that God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth, and He is looking for those kinds of followers.

Certain verses in the passage make it clear that the Samaritan woman was no fool. She wasn't formally educated, but her banter with Jesus reveals a certain level of wit (John 4:11–12, 15, 19–20). Here she once again asks a question which reveals a sharp mind. Jesus has just revealed His knowledge of her entire past (John 4:29), and a deep knowledge of spiritual things. Apparently, she has heard a few things about the Promised One, but does not want to ask Jesus directly if this is who He is. She artfully mentions the idea of the Messiah to see how Jesus will respond.

Of course, in the next verse, we see that this is exactly what Jesus is trying to get her to understand: He is the Messiah.

A question raised here is where the woman heard about the Messiah. According to the gospel of John, the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus had attracted quite a bit of attention. More than likely, she had heard from others connected to John the Baptist's ministry. This left an opening for the gospel once she had the opportunity to meet Christ.
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