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John 4:38

KJV

I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Read it in context The harvest in Samaria
Start reading at John 4:27 (John 4:27 to John 4:42). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

The woman's testimony brings others to Jesus, while His words about the harvest teach the disciples to recognize the work before them.

  1. 4:27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
  2. 4:28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
  3. 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
  4. 4:30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
  5. 4:31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
  6. 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
  7. 4:33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
  8. 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
  9. 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
  10. 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
  11. 4:37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
  12. 4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
  13. 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
  14. 4:40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
  15. 4:41 And many more believed because of his own word;
  16. 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: John 4:27, John 4:42, John 1:14, John 8:31, John 14:15, John 20:31

Who wrote it, and how we know

John the apostle Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book identifies its author as the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote them. John 21:24John 21:20
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debated

There is substantial early Christian tradition supporting John the son of Zebedee—James’s brother—as the authority behind the Gospel, but it is not the same kind of evidence as having a signed first-century manuscript saying “I, John son of Zebedee, wrote this.” The case is cumulative, built from internal evidence in the Gospel plus external testimony from early Christians. There are also real reasons scholars debate it.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

John 4

The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him.

John 20:30 John 20:31 John 8:31

The woman at the well
John 4:1–26

FocusLiving water and true worship

Connection to the wholeThe conversation moves from water to the woman's life, worship, and Jesus' identity, crossing barriers that shape the disciples' surprise.
interpretation
The harvest in Samaria
John 4:27–42 You are here · 4:38

FocusWitness and personal hearing

Connection to the wholeThe woman's testimony brings others to Jesus, while His words about the harvest teach the disciples to recognize the work before them.
interpretation
The nobleman's son
John 4:43–54

FocusTrusting Jesus' word

Connection to the wholeThe healing at a distance connects Jesus' spoken assurance with the household's response and completes the return to Cana.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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