John 4

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

And he must needs go through Samaria.

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

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.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

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

And many more believed because of his own word;

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

What does John 4:32 mean?

Explanation

This verse is found in the context of a conversation Jesus is having with his disciples.

After speaking with a Samaritan woman at the well about living water and eternal life, Jesus' disciples urged him to eat something.

In response, he uttered the enigmatic phrase, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of." Literally, this could be understood as Jesus saying he has food that the disciples are unaware of.

However, the deeper meaning reveals that Jesus is speaking about his sustenance coming from doing the will of God and completing His work. This "meat" is a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and the fulfillment derived from serving God's purpose.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The verse is part of the Gospel of John, traditionally attributed to the apostle John.

This encounter takes place during Jesus' early ministry, as he and his disciples are traveling.

The conversation occurs at Jacob's well near the town of Sychar in Samaria.

Cultural norms of those times avoided interactions between Jews and Samaritans and men speaking publicly with women they were not related to.

Therefore, both the conversation with the Samaritan woman and the content of the conversation were unconventional and significant.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse can be interpreted from different perspectives:

Orthodox/Catholic: This could be seen as Christ's affirmation that the work of God's salvation is his very sustenance.

It underscores the importance of obedience and divine mission over physical needs.

Protestant/Evangelical: Often seen in the light of prioritizing spiritual goals and God’s will above material or earthly sustenance.
Liberal Theology: Some might read this metaphorically, seeing the "meat" as Jesus' dedication to social justice and reaching out beyond traditional barriers.

Practical Applications

The teaching of the verse can be applied in daily life as a reminder to prioritize spiritual growth, service, and the pursuit of God's will above mere physical needs.

It can be an encouragement to find fulfillment in helping others and engaging in activities that align with one’s higher purpose or divine calling.

Cross-References

John 6:35: "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
Matthew 4:4: "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
John 4:34: "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."

Language Study

The key word in the original Greek text for "meat" is "βρῶσις" (brosis), which refers to the act of eating but also to the food itself.

In a metaphorical sense, this can represent any form of sustenance. "ὑμῖν" ("hymin") translates to "ye" or "you" in English and pertains to the disciples in this verse. "οὐκ" ("ouk") is a negation, translating to "not" and "οἶδα" ("oida") means "know" or "be aware of," indicating the disciples' lack of understanding of the deeper essence of Jesus' work.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient myths and religious traditions, food is often used as a symbol for deeper spiritual sustenance.

For example, in Greek mythology, ambrosia was considered the food of the gods and conveyed immortality.

In Hinduism, the idea of "prasada" (a gift from the gods) is food that is blessed and spiritually nourishing.

Jesus' reference to a different kind of "meat" may indicate a distinction between the sustenance of this world and divine sustenance.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern nutritional science emphasizes the importance of food for physical health and well-being, but it also acknowledges the role of psychological and emotional factors in overall nourishment.

Jesus’ statement, while not directly pertaining to physical nourishment, aligns with the understanding that humans are not sustained by bread alone but require meaning, purpose, and emotional fulfillment for holistic health.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry Commentary: It interprets Jesus' statement as an indication that Christ's zeal for his Father's house is more satisfying than meat and drink.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers: Ellicott suggests that Jesus is referring to the spiritual food of doing God's will, which was as necessary to him as physical food to others.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: This commentary likens the "meat" Jesus speaks of to "the satisfaction felt in rescuing one human soul," emphasizing the joy found in spiritual endeavors.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 4:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?