John 4:38

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

I sent you to reap what you haven’t worked for. Others have done the hard labor, and you have benefited from their work.”

Berean Standard Bible:

I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the hard work, and now you have taken up their labor.”

American Standard Version:

I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

I^{G1473} sent^{G649} you^{G5209} to reap^{G2325} that whereon^{G3739} ye^{G5210} bestowed^{G2872} no^{G3756} labour^{G2872}: other men^{G243} laboured^{G2872}, and^{G2532} ye^{G5210} are entered^{G1525} into^{G1519} their^{G846} labours^{G2873}.

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Commentary for John 4:38

John 4:38 is a part of a larger narrative in the Gospel of John, where Jesus is conversing with his disciples after a significant encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. In this verse, Jesus is speaking metaphorically about the spiritual harvest of souls, using the imagery of agricultural labor common in the agrarian society of the time.

The historical context of this verse is set in the region of Samaria, a place often avoided by Jews due to longstanding religious and ethnic tensions. Jesus, breaking cultural norms, not only engages with a Samaritan but also reveals his messianic identity to her, leading to a spiritual awakening in the Samaritan town.

In the verse, Jesus tells his disciples, "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." This statement underscores several themes:

1. **Divine Initiative**: Jesus emphasizes that it is God who initiates the work of salvation and that the disciples are sent by him to partake in this divine mission.

2. **Spiritual Harvest**: The concept of a "harvest" is used to describe the ingathering of people into the kingdom of God. The disciples are being told that they have the privilege of reaping a harvest they did not sow, which speaks to the collective and cumulative nature of God's work through different individuals over time.

3. **Collaborative Ministry**: Jesus acknowledges the labor of others—prophets, John the Baptist, and perhaps the Samaritan woman—who have prepared the way for the gospel message. The disciples are beneficiaries of this groundwork, entering into the labor of others to bring people to faith.

4. **Humility and Gratitude**: The verse calls for humility in ministry, recognizing that one's success in spreading the gospel is often built upon the foundational work of those who came before. It also implies gratitude for the efforts of predecessors in the faith.

5. **Inclusivity of Mission**: By ministering in Samaria, Jesus demonstrates the inclusive nature of his mission, reaching out to those outside the traditional Jewish boundaries. This aligns with the broader theme in John's Gospel of Jesus as the Savior of the world.

In summary, John 4:38 reflects the divine orchestration of salvation history, where Jesus commissions his disciples to participate in a reaping that others have labored to sow. It highlights the collective effort in God's mission, the importance of recognizing and building upon the work of others, and the inclusive scope of Jesus' ministry that transcends cultural and social barriers.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: G649
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποστέλλω
   Transliteration: apostéllō
   Pronunciation: ap-os-tel'-lo
   Description: from ἀπό and στέλλω; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:--put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty).
   
3. Strong's Number: G5209
   There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμᾶς
   Transliteration: hymâs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
   Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
   
4. Strong's Number: G2325
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θερίζω
   Transliteration: therízō
   Pronunciation: ther-id'-zo
   Description: from θέρος (in the sense of the crop); to harvest:--reap.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2872
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κοπιάω
   Transliteration: kopiáō
   Pronunciation: kop-ee-ah'-o
   Description: from a derivative of κόπος; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard:--(bestow) labour, toil, be wearied.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Strong's Number: G243
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄλλος
   Transliteration: állos
   Pronunciation: al'-los
   Description: a primary word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications):--more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1525
    There are 186 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰσέρχομαι
    Transliteration: eisérchomai
    Pronunciation: ice-er'-khom-ahee
    Description: from εἰς and ἔρχομαι; to enter (literally or figuratively):--X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through).
    
12. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
    
13. 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.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2873
    There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κόπος
    Transliteration: kópos
    Pronunciation: kop'-os
    Description: from κόπτω; a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains:--labour, + trouble, weariness.