John 4:23

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

But a time is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeks such people to worship him.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἀλλʼ ἔρχεται ὥρα, καὶ νῦν ἐστιν, ὅτε οἱ ἀληθινοὶ προσκυνηταὶ προσκυνήσουσιν τῷ Πατρὶ ἐν πνεύματι καὶ ἀληθείᾳ: καὶ γὰρ ὁ Πατὴρ τοιούτους ζητεῖ τοὺς προσκυνοῦντας αὐτόν.

Transliteration

But erchetai hōra, and now estin, when the alēthinoi proskynētai proskynēsousin tō Patri en pneumati and alētheia: kai gar the Patēr toioutous zētei tous proskynountas auton.

Grammar Details

• *erchetai*: present middle indicative, 3rd singular - comes/is coming
• *hōra*: nominative feminine singular - hour/time
• *estin*: present active indicative, 3rd singular - is
• *alēthinoi*: adjective, nominative masculine plural - true/genuine
• *proskynētai*: nominative masculine plural - worshipers
• *proskynēsousin*: future active indicative, 3rd plural - they will worship
• *Patri*: dative masculine singular - Father
• *en*: preposition + dative - in
• *pneumati*: dative neuter singular - spirit
• *alētheia*: dative feminine singular - truth
• *kai*: adverbial conjunction - and/also/even
• *gar*: postpositive conjunction - for/because
• *Patēr*: nominative masculine singular - Father
• *toioutous*: demonstrative pronoun, accusative masculine plural - such
• *zētei*: present active indicative, 3rd singular - seeks/is seeking
• *proskynountas*: present active participle, accusative masculine plural - worshiping
• *auton*: accusative masculine singular - him

Word Meanings

• *alēthinoi*: true/genuine/real/authentic
• *proskynētai*: worshipers/those who prostrate themselves
• *pneumati*: spirit/breath/wind
• *alētheia*: truth/reality/genuineness
• *zētei*: seeks/searches for/desires

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  But{G235} the hour{G5610} cometh,{G2064} and{G2532} now{G3568} is,{G2076} when{G3753} the{G4353} true{G228} worshippers{G4353} shall worship{G4352} the Father{G3962} in{G1722} spirit{G4151} and{G2532} truth:{G2532} for{G1063} such{G5108} doth the Father{G3962} seek{G2212} to be his{G846} worshippers.{G4352}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  But{G235} the hour{G5610} cometh{G2064}{(G5736)}, and{G2532} now{G3568} is{G2076}{(G5748)}, when{G3753} the true{G228} worshippers{G4353} shall worship{G4352}{(G5692)} the Father{G3962} in{G1722} spirit{G4151} and{G2532} in truth{G225}: for{G2532}{G1063} the Father{G3962} seeketh{G2212}{(G5719)} such{G5108} to worship{G4352}{(G5723)} him{G846}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  But the houre commeth and nowe is when the true worshippers shall worshippe the father in sprete and in trouthe. For verely suche the father requyreth to worshippe him.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But the tyme commeth, and is now allready, that the true worshippers shal worshippe the father in sprete and in the trueth: For the father wil haue soch so to worshippe him.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  But the houre commeth, and nowe is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit, and trueth: for the Father requireth euen such to worship him.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  But the houre commeth, and nowe is, when the true worshippers, shall worshippe the father in spirite, and in the trueth: For such the father also requireth to worshippe hym.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ‹But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  but, there cometh an hour, and it now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father also doth seek such to worship him;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But the time is coming, and is even now here, when the true worshippers will give worship to the Father in the true way of the spirit, for these are the worshippers desired by the Father.

• World English Bible (2000)

  But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But a time is coming– and now is here– when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers.

Referenced Verses

• Phil 3:3 : 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, glory in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh.
• Gal 4:6 : 6 Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father.'
• John 5:25 : 25 Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
• John 12:23 : 23 Jesus replied to them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
• Matt 15:7-9 : 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, saying, 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’
• John 1:17 : 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
• Eph 6:18 : 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and petition. Stay alert with all perseverance as you pray for all the saints.
• Rom 8:26 : 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspeakable groanings.
• 1 Pet 2:9 : 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
• Jude 1:20-21 : 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.
• John 4:21 : 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
• Luke 18:11-13 : 11 'The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.' 12 'I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 'But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven but beat his chest and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
• John 16:32 : 32 'Look, the hour is coming—in fact, it has already arrived—when you will be scattered, each to your own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.'
• Rom 1:9 : 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness that I unceasingly mention you
• Rom 8:15 : 15 You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'
• Josh 24:14 : 14 Now, fear the LORD and serve Him with sincerity and truth. Put away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
• 1 Sam 12:24 : 24 Only fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. Consider what great things He has done for you.
• 1 Chr 29:17 : 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. In the uprightness of my heart, I have freely offered all these things; and now I have seen your people, who are present here, joyfully and willingly give to you.
• Ps 17:1 : 1 A prayer of David: Hear, O Lord, my just plea. Give attention to my cry, listen to my prayer; it is not from deceitful lips.
• Ps 32:2 : 2 Blessed is the person whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
• Ps 51:6 : 6 Against you, you alone, I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified when you speak and blameless when you judge.
• Ps 147:11 : 11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.
• Prov 15:8 : 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
• Song 2:14 : 14 My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, show me your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
• Isa 1:10-15 : 10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah. 11 "What is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed animals; I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats. 12 When you come to appear before Me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of My courts? 13 Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity combined with solemn assembly. 14 Your New Moons and appointed festivals My soul hates. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you. Even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.
• Isa 10:20 : 20 On that day, the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer lean on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.
• Isa 26:8-9 : 8 Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your judgments, we wait for You; Your name and Your renown are the desire of our soul. 9 My soul yearns for You in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks You. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
• Isa 29:13 : 13 The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their reverence for me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.'
• Isa 43:21 : 21 the people I formed for Myself, so they might proclaim My praise.
• Isa 48:1-2 : 1 Hear this, house of Jacob, those who are called by the name of Israel and who have come out of Judah's lineage, who swear by the name of the LORD and invoke the God of Israel, but not in truth or righteousness. 2 For they are called from the holy city and rely on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name.
• Isa 58:2 : 2 Day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the justice of their God. They ask me for righteous judgments and delight in drawing near to God.
• Isa 58:8-9 : 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing finger, and malicious talk. 10 If you offer yourself to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, and he will satisfy your soul in parched places and strengthen your bones. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the foundations of past generations. You will be called the Repairer of Broken Walls, the Restorer of Streets to Live In. 13 If you keep your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on my holy day, and you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way or doing as you please or speaking idle words, 14 then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of Jacob your ancestor. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
• Isa 66:1-2 : 1 This is what the Lord says: 'The heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is the house you could build for Me, and where is My resting place?'. 2 My hand made all these things, and so all these came into being,' declares the Lord. 'But I will look to this one: to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
• Jer 3:10 : 10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense, declares the LORD.
• Jer 4:2 : 2 Then you will swear, 'As the LORD lives,' in truth, in justice, and in righteousness; the nations will bless themselves in Him, and in Him they will glory.
• Jer 7:7-9 : 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors forever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my name, and say, ‘We are safe,’ only to go on doing all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it,’ declares the LORD. 12 Now go to my place in Shiloh, where I first caused my name to dwell. See what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel.
• Ezek 22:30 : 30 I searched for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.