John 4:31-34

Workers for the Harvest

4:31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ¹  “Rabbi, eat something.” ²  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 ³  to one another, “No one brought him anything ⁴  to eat, did they?” ⁵  4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me ⁶  and to complete ⁷  his work. ⁸ 

[4:31]  ¹ tn Grk “were asking him, saying.”

[4:31]  ² tn The direct object of φάγε (fage) in Greek is understood; “something” is supplied in English.

[4:33]  ³ tn An ingressive imperfect conveys the idea that Jesus’ reply provoked the disciples’ response.

[4:33]  ⁴ tn The direct object of ἤνεγκεν (hnenken) in Greek is understood; “anything” is supplied in English.

[4:33]  ⁵ 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?”).

[4:34]  ⁵ sn The one who sent me refers to the Father.

[4:34]  ⁶ tn Or “to accomplish.”

[4:34]  ⁷ tn The substantival ἵνα (Jina) clause has been translated as an English infinitive clause.