John 4:32

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But he answered, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”

Berean Standard Bible:

But He told them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

American Standard Version:

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} he said^{G2036} unto them^{G846}, I^{G1473} have^{G2192} meat^{G1035} to eat^{G5315} that^{G3739} ye^{G5210} know^{G1492} not^{G3756} of^{G1492}.

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Commentary for John 4:32

John 4:32 is a part of the narrative known as the Samaritan woman at the well. In this passage, Jesus is speaking with His disciples after a conversation with a Samaritan woman, which was culturally and religiously significant due to the animosity between Jews and Samaritans at the time. The verse occurs after the disciples express concern for Jesus' physical nourishment, urging Him to eat. However, Jesus responds with a metaphorical statement, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of," indicating that His sustenance comes not from physical food but from doing God's will.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Jewish-Samaritan tensions and the cultural expectations of hospitality, which included sharing food. Jesus, by this statement, is redefining the concept of sustenance and satisfaction, emphasizing spiritual fulfillment over physical sustenance. The themes present in this verse include the primacy of spiritual over material needs, the importance of God's work as a source of spiritual nourishment, and the idea that true fulfillment comes from engaging in the divine mission.

Jesus' words challenge the disciples—and by extension, all readers—to consider the deeper meaning of their existence and the source of true satisfaction. The verse underscores the message that following God's will and engaging in His work provides a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends physical needs. This spiritual truth is a cornerstone of Christian teaching, emphasizing the eternal over the temporal and the soul's needs over the body's desires.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1035
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βρῶσις
   Transliteration: brōsis
   Pronunciation: bro'-sis
   Description: from the base of βιβρώσκω; (abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food (literally or figuratively):--eating, food, meat.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5315
   There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φάγω
   Transliteration: phágō
   Pronunciation: fag'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used as an alternate of ἐσθίω in certain tenses); to eat (literally or figuratively):--eat, meat.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5210
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμεῖς
   Transliteration: hymeîs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
   Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1492
    There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἴδω
    Transliteration: eídō
    Pronunciation: i'-do
    Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.