John 4:31-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 4:27-42

We have here the remainder of the story of what happened when Christ was in Samaria, after the long conference he had with the woman. I. The interruption given to this discourse by the disciples? coming. It is probable that much more was said than is recorded; but just when the discourse was brought to a head, when Christ had made himself known to her as the true Messiah, then came the disciples. The daughters of Jerusalem shall not stir up nor awake my love till he please. 1. They wondered at... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 4:31-34

4:31-34 Meanwhile his disciples asked him: "Rabbi! Eat something! have food," he said to them, "of which you do not know." "Surely," his disciples kept saying to each other, "someone can't have given him something to eat?" "My food," said Jesus to them, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work." This passage follows the normal pattern of the conversations of the Fourth Gospel. Jesus says something which is misunderstood. He says something which has a spiritual... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 4:31

In the mean while ,.... Whilst the woman was gone into the city, and had acquainted the inhabitants, that such a wonderful person was at Jacob's well, and invited them to come and see him: his disciples prayed him, saying, master, eat ; for they perceived a disinclination in him to food; and they knew that he was weary with his journey, and that it was the time of day, and high time, that he had had some food; and therefore out of great respect to him, and in concern for his health and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 4:32

But he said unto them ,.... That is, "Jesus", as the Persic, or the Lord Jesus, as the Ethiopic versions express it: I have meat to eat that ye know not of : meaning the conversion of the Samaritan woman, and of other Samaritans, who were flocking in great numbers to him, which he knew, though his disciples did not; and the harvest of souls he had a prospect of, see John 4:35 , was as meat unto him, delightful and refreshing; and his mind and thoughts were so taken up with these... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 4:33

Therefore said the disciples one to another ,.... Privately, among themselves, though in his hearing; at least he knew what they said by answer; hath any man ; or anyone, any angel from heaven, or any of the inhabitants of the city, or any man or woman, or this woman they had found him talking with: brought him ought to eat ? for they thought of nothing else but bodily food; just as when he cautioned them against the leaven of the Sadducees and Pharisees, they imagined he said it,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them ,.... His disciples: my meat is to do the will of him that sent me . The Ethiopic version reads, "of my Father that sent me", and who is undoubtedly intended. Now as food is pleasant, and delightful, and refreshing to the body of man, so doing the will of God was as delightful and refreshing to the soul of Christ: he took as much pleasure in it, as an hungry man does in eating and drinking. One part of the will of God was to assume human nature; this he had done,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 4:31

Master, eat - They knew that he was greatly spent both with hunger and fatigue. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 4:32

I have meat to eat that ye know not of - Our blessed Lord seizes every opportunity to raise the minds of his apostles to heavenly things, through the medium of earthly matters. Nor does he force these things into such service. Properly understood, earthly substances are the types, representatives, and shadows of heavenly things. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 4:33

Hath any man brought him aught to eat? - Has he got food in any preternatural way? They could not help remembering the miraculous interventions of Divine providence in feeding Elijah by the ravens, at the brook Cherith, 1 Kings 17:4-6 , and by the ministry of an angel, 1 Kings 19:5-8 , and our Lord's preternatural repast in the wilderness, after his victory over Satan, Matthew 4:11 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 4:34

My meat is to do the will of him that sent me - In these words, our blessed Lord teaches a lesson of zeal and earnestness to his apostles, and to all their successors in the Christian ministry. Let the salvation of souls lie nearer your heart than life itself. Let eating and drinking, labor and rest, reading, thinking, study, prayer, and all things, be directed to the accomplishment of this great work. Ministers of Jesus! imitate your Lord! Souls are perishing for lack of knowledge - God has... read more

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