John Calvin Commentary John 4:29

"Come, see a man, who told me all things that [ever] I did: can this be the Christ?" — John 4:29 (ASV)

See a man. Since she speaks doubtfully here, she might seem not to have been greatly moved by the authority of Christ. I reply that, as she was not qualified to discuss such profound mysteries, she endeavors, according to her limited ability, to lead her fellow citizens to allow themselves to be taught by Christ.

It was a very powerful stimulant that she used to arouse them, when she knew, by a clear and certain sign, that he was a prophet; for, since they could not form a judgment from his doctrine, this more elementary preparation was useful and well-suited for them.

Therefore, having learned that Christ had revealed hidden things to the woman, they inferred from this that he is a Prophet of God. Once this was established, they began to pay attention to his doctrine. But the woman goes further, for she urges them to inquire if he is not the Messiah, being satisfied if she could only persuade them to seek, on their own, what she had already found in Christ; for she knew that they would find more than she had promised.

Who told me all things that ever I did. Why does she tell a lie by saying that Christ told her all things? I have already shown that Christ did not rebuke her for a single instance of fornication, but that in a few words, he confronted her with many sins from her entire life. For the Evangelist has not recorded every sentence in detail but states generally that Christ, to curb the woman’s talkativeness, brought up her past and present life. Yet we see that the woman, ignited by a holy zeal, does not spare herself or her reputation to magnify the name of Christ: for she does not hesitate to recount the shameful episodes of her life.