John 4:37-38

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 4:35-38

4:35-38 "Are you not in the habit of saying: 'Four months, and the harvest will come'? Look you! I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, because they are already white for the harvesting. The harvester receives his reward and stores up fruit which makes for eternal life, so that he who sows and he who harvests may rejoice together. In this the saying is true--one sows and another harvests. I have sent you to harvest a crop which your labour did not produce. Others have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 4:37

And herein is that saying true ,.... This verifies that proverbial expression so much in use, and which may be applied to different persons and cases: one soweth, and another reapeth ; the prophets sowed, and the apostles reaped. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 4:38

I sent you to reap ,.... To preach the Gospel, and gather in souls by your ministry; referring to the mission of them in Matthew 10:6 ; that whereon ye bestowed no labour ; being sent to the Jews, who had the writings of the prophets, and were versed in them; and had learned from them that the Messiah was to come, and were now in general expectation of him; so that they had nothing more to do, than to declare to those persons who were cultivated by the prophets, and were like to ground... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 4:37

Herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth - Or, One is the sower, and another is the reaper. In what respects you, of this business, this proverb is true - One is the sower, etc., for I have sent you to reap, to preach my Gospel, and gain converts, where ye have not labored - have not sown the first seeds of eternal life. Others have labored - the patriarchs and prophets, and ye are entered into the fruits of their labors. They announced the Messiah who was to come, and the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 4:37

Verse 37 37.For in this is the saying true. This was a common proverb, by which he showed that many men frequently receive the fruit of the labor of others, though there was this difference, that he who has labored is displeased at seeing the fruit carried away by another, whereas the Apostles have the Prophets for the companions of their joy. And yet it cannot be inferred from this, that the Prophets themselves are witnesses, or are aware, of what is now going on in the Church; for Christ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:1-42

7. The ministry and revelation of the Lord to those beyond the strict compass of the theocracy. This passage describes an incident of consummate interest, and records a specimen of our Lord's intercourse with individuals, and the reaction of that instruction upon the disciples. The event is a solitary chink through which the light of historical fact falls upon an otherwise darkened and unknown period of the Saviour's life. When we skirt a forest we see at intervals, where by some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:27-38

(3) Revelation and misunderstanding involved in the conduct of the disciples. The next paragraph records the effects of this conversation upon the disciples, upon the woman herself, and upon her friends. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:31-38

Jesus and his disciples. The surprise of the disciples at our Lord's talking with the woman at the well did not break forth into question; they rather resolved to bide their time for an explanation. I. THE SPIRITUAL MEAT OF THE SON OF GOD . "My meat is to do the will of my Father, and to finish his work." 1 . The disciples were naturally anxious to supply his bodily wants ; for they knew that he was both hungry and thirsty. 2 . The interview with the woman... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 4:35-38

The Christian harvest. Notice— I. ITS NATURE . It is spiritual. "Lift up your eyes," etc. To see the temporal harvest you look down and around, but to see this you must look up; it is in the spiritual region, and concerns the spiritual nature and interest of man. It is the harvest of souls—the harvest of Jesus' soul. It is spiritual in its processes, its sphere, its aim, and its results. It means the spiritual quickening, the germination, the growth, the cultivation and ripening of... read more

Group of Brands