john-4:37-38-asv

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:35-38

The two harvests. I. A SEARCHING LOOK INTO THE PAST . There can be little doubt that, when Jesus said the fields were white already to harvest, he meant his disciples to consider the company of Samaritans eagerly coming out of the city towards them. Why were they coming? Jesus knew that the coming was not sufficiently explained by saying that the woman's report had stirred up the curiosity of the people in the city. Jesus rejoiced in the fresh proof he had got of how people... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:37

For herein— in this harvest field, already whitening before your eyes— is the word veritably realized— it finds an ideal illustration of its meaning— One is the sower, and another is the reaper. It belongs to all common experience in such things; the first stone is laid by one, the topstone by another. The toil and tears of the sower with the precious seed are often the reason why another returns with joy, bringing his sheaves with him. It is an all-but universal law. Children inherit... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:37

That saying - That proverb. This proverb is found in some of the Greek writers (Grotius). Similar proverbs were in use among the Jews. See Isaiah 65:21-22; Leviticus 26:16; Micah 6:15.One soweth ... - One man may preach the gospel, and with little apparent effect; another, succeeding him, may be crowned with eminent success. The seed, long buried, may spring up in an abundant harvest. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:38

I sent you - In the commission given you to preach the gospel. You have not labored or toiled in preparing the way for the great harvest which is now to be gathered in.Other men laboured - The prophets, who long labored to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. (2)The teachers among the Jews, who have read and explained the law and taught the people.John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way. And, The Saviour himself, who by his personal ministry taught the people, and prepared them... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 4:37-38

John 4:37-38. Herein is that saying true That common proverb; One soweth and another reapeth He alludes to what often happens, namely, that after he has sown his field, a man dies before he gathers in the harvest, and so leaves it to another, who enjoys the advantage of his pains. But the application which our Lord makes of this proverb here, does not imply any discontent in the persons who sow without reaping, as it seems to do in common uses; for the sower and the reaper are represented... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 4:1-42

23. Jesus in Samaria (John 4:1-42)When the Pharisees saw the crowds following Jesus they took an increasing interest in him. No doubt they were becoming jealous and soon might become violent. Jesus therefore decided to leave Judea for Galilee (John 4:1-3).As Jesus approached one of the villages of Samaria, he began a conversation with a Samaritan woman whom he met at a well (John 4:4-9). The woman had a similar problem to Nicodemus in that she interpreted Jesus’ words literally instead of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 4:37

herein = in (Greek. en) this. is = i.e. is [exemplified] the true saying. saying . Greek. logos. See note on Mark 9:32 . One . . . another . Greek. allos. App-124 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 4:38

sent. App-174 . other men. Greek. Plural of allos. laboured = have laboured. are entered = have entered. their : i.e. John the Baptist and the Lord. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 4:37

For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.This metaphor of the harvest was also used by Paul who extended it to cover the interval between sowing and reaping, thus, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6). In Paul's usage of the metaphor, the gospel preacher is the one who plants, and the one who waters; and he added, "So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 4:38

I sent ye to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor.This was a stern reminder to the apostles that the great ingathering they were about to see was in no sense the result of their own efforts and abilities, and that they were to consider themselves instruments of God in reaping the fruit of the labors of others, in this case, the labor of the Master himself, and of the woman. This was the viewpoint expressed by Paul, as cited above. So... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:35-38

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:37

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:37

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 4:38

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 4:37-38

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 4:1-42

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 4:37

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 4:38

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 4:37

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 4:38

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