John 4:31-38

Workers for the Harvest

4:31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 4:32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 4:33 So the disciples began to say to one another, “No one brought him anything to eat, did they?” 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. 4:35 Don’t you say, ‘There are four more months and then comes the harvest?’ I tell you, look up 10  and see that the fields are already white 11  for harvest! 4:36 The one who reaps receives pay 12  and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together. 4:37 For in this instance the saying is true, 13  ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 4:38 I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”


tn Grk “were asking him, saying.”

tn The direct object of φάγε (fage) in Greek is understood; “something” is supplied in English.

tn An ingressive imperfect conveys the idea that Jesus’ reply provoked the disciples’ response.

tn The direct object of ἤνεγκεν (hnenken) in Greek is understood; “anything” is supplied in English.

tn Questions prefaced with μή (mh) in Greek anticipate a negative answer. This can sometimes be indicated by using a “tag” at the end in English (here it is “did they?”).

sn The one who sent me refers to the Father.

tn Or “to accomplish.”

tn The substantival ἵνα (Jina) clause has been translated as an English infinitive clause.

tn The recitative ὅτι (Joti) after λέγετε (legete) has not been translated.

10 tn Grk “lift up your eyes” (an idiom). BDAG 357 s.v. ἐπαίρω 1 has “look up” here.

11 tn That is, “ripe.”

12 tn Or “a reward”; see L&N 38.14 and 57.173. This is something of a wordplay.

13 tn The recitative ὅτι (Joti) after ἀληθινός (alhqino") has not been translated.