What Does John 4:28 Mean in the King James?
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
She leaves the vessel that brought her to the well and carries her encounter into the city.
THE MEANING
The encounter now occupies her attention: the waterpot remains behind while she goes into the city and speaks. Her movement carries a private meeting outward, before the next verse gives her words.
THE ROOT
ἀφῆκεν
aphēken
GROWS FROM
ἀφίημι
aphiēmi
To send away, release, or leave behind.
The Greek verb translated “left” also carries the sense of releasing or letting go. Its related noun ἄφεσις (aphesis, release or remission) is used for forgiveness, so one Greek word family holds both leaving something behind and releasing a claim. Here, the waterpot is simply left at the well; the verb lets that concrete act resonate with a wider language of release.
ALSO GROWS
aphiēmi: To release, leave, or let go.
ἀφίημι
This is the verb behind “left” here and shows the physical act as a form of release.
aphesis: Release, remission; forgiveness.
ἄφεσις
This related noun shows how the same word family can name release from an accusation as well as leaving something behind.
THE PATTERN
An encounter becomes public when the one who receives it carries it into speech.
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.THE THREAD
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.The verb behind “left” here, ἀφίημι (aphiēmi, release or leave behind), is also behind “forsook” in Luke 5:11. There, the disciples leave their ships and all they have; here, the woman leaves her waterpot and goes toward the city.
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