What Does John 4:40 Mean in the King James?

So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

John 4:40 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Samaritans ask Jesus to remain, and the Greek repeats that same word when he stays: their welcome becomes abiding presence.

THE MEANING

When you welcome Jesus, his presence can remain with you rather than pass through as a fleeting impression. Here, his staying takes the form of shared time. The verse holds nearness as something that abides.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It loosens the belief that Jesus’ presence is only a brief visit or belongs only to religious insiders; he remains with those who welcome him.

THE ROOT

μεῖναι

meinai

GROWS FROM

μένω

menō

to remain, stay, continue, abide

“tarry / abode” in this verse is meinai. English gives us “tarry” and “abode,” but both Greek forms come from the same word: the Samaritans ask Jesus to remain, and he remains. The repeated root turns their invitation into fulfilled presence.

ALSO GROWS

monē: dwelling, place to remain

μονή

This noun from the same root shows abiding taking shape as a dwelling, as in the “mansions” of John 14:2.

paramenō: continue, remain

παραμένω

This compound carries the same root into continued presence; Philippians 1:25 uses it for “continue with you all.”

THE PATTERN

Divine presence takes form as shared dwelling among people.

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:8 · KJVThe sanctuary gives dwelling a tangible form: God’s presence is among the people.

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

John 1:39 · KJVAn invitation becomes a shared day of abiding, as welcome does when the Samaritans ask Jesus to stay.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21:3 · KJVThe vision gathers the pattern into one image: God’s dwelling is with people, and God is with them.

THE THREAD

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4 · KJV

“Abide” here is the same Greek root as “tarry” and “abode” in John 4:40. There, Jesus remains with those who welcome him; here, that remaining becomes mutual abiding.

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