John 4:34

KJV

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, My {G1699} meat {G1033} is {G2076} to {G2443} do {G4160} the will {G2307} of him that sent {G3992} me {G3165}, and {G2532} to finish {G5048} his {G846} work {G2041}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to them, “My food is to do what the one who sent me wants and to bring his work to completion.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

American Standard Version

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 4:34, Jesus reveals the profound source of His sustenance and purpose, declaring that His "food" is to accomplish the will of God the Father and bring His work to completion. This pivotal statement, made immediately after His transformative encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, transcends mere physical hunger to articulate the spiritual essence of His mission, emphasizing His absolute devotion to His divine calling and the ultimate satisfaction derived from perfect obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration by Jesus follows directly on the heels of His remarkable interaction with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman"). His disciples, having gone into the town of Sychar to buy food, return to find Jesus conversing with a Samaritan, a culturally surprising act. They urge Him to eat, concerned for His physical needs. Jesus' response in [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' True Sustenance") is a profound spiritual redirection, shifting their focus from the physical sustenance they sought to the spiritual nourishment He derived from His divine mission. This exchange serves as a crucial transition in the narrative, moving from the initial revelation of Jesus as the giver of "living water" to the deeper unveiling of His identity as the Son sent by the Father to accomplish a specific, redemptive work. It sets the stage for further teachings on the nature of true food and eternal life, contrasting earthly provisions with spiritual realities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting at Jacob's well is rich with historical and cultural significance. Jacob's well itself was a revered site, connecting Jesus' ministry to the patriarchal history of Israel. The interaction with a Samaritan woman was highly unconventional, as Jews typically avoided Samaritans due to deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity, stemming from the Assyrian conquest and intermarriage. Jesus' willingness to engage her, and then to teach His disciples about a "food" beyond physical sustenance, challenged prevailing cultural norms and religious prejudices. The disciples' concern for Jesus' hunger was natural, as food was a fundamental necessity and a symbol of hospitality. However, Jesus' response elevates the discourse beyond the mundane, introducing a spiritual economy where divine purpose takes precedence over bodily needs, a concept that would have been revolutionary in its implications for their understanding of the Messiah's priorities.
* **Key Themes:** [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Divine Purpose") encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' absolute obedience and submission to the Father's will**. Jesus consistently affirms that He does nothing of His own accord but only what He sees the Father doing, as reiterated in [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Does What the Father Does") and [John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Seeks the Father's Will"). Secondly, the theme of **spiritual nourishment** is central; Jesus metaphorically equates doing God's will with physical food, suggesting that His deepest satisfaction and vitality come from fulfilling His divine commission. This foreshadows His later teaching on Himself as the "bread of life" in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **definitive nature of Jesus' redemptive work**. His commitment is not merely to "do" but to "finish" the Father's work, pointing to the complete accomplishment of salvation, a theme that culminates in His cry from the cross, "It is finished" in [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It is Finished").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat (Greek, _brōma'_):** From the base of *bibroskō* (to eat), this term refers generally to food or victuals. In this context, Jesus uses *brōma* metaphorically to describe His spiritual sustenance. It signifies that His deepest satisfaction and the true source of His energy and vitality are not found in physical nourishment but in the active pursuit and completion of God's divine purpose. This metaphorical usage elevates the concept of "food" to a spiritual plane, highlighting the supreme importance of obedience to the Father.
* **Will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** Derived from *thelō* (to will, wish), *thélēma* denotes a determination, purpose, or decree, encompassing both active choice and passive inclination. Here, it refers to the specific, sovereign plan and desire of God the Father for Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus' life is presented as entirely aligned with, and driven by, this divine *thélēma*, indicating His perfect submission and dedication to the Father's preordained redemptive agenda.
* **Work (Greek, _érgon'_):** From a primary (but obsolete) verb meaning "to work," *érgon* signifies toil, effort, occupation, or an act. In this verse, it refers to the comprehensive mission and redemptive activity assigned to Jesus by the Father. This "work" encompasses all that Jesus came to do: revealing God, teaching truth, performing miracles, and ultimately, offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice. The emphasis is on the active, purposeful, and comprehensive nature of His divine assignment, leading to its ultimate completion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto them,"**: This introductory phrase establishes the speaker and audience, setting the stage for a profound teaching. Jesus, having just engaged in a deeply spiritual conversation with the Samaritan woman, now turns to His disciples, who are preoccupied with His physical needs, to reorient their understanding of true sustenance.
* **"My meat is to do the will of him that sent me,"**: Here, Jesus employs a powerful metaphor. "My meat" (or "My food") signifies the very essence of His being, His deepest satisfaction, and the source of His strength. He identifies this "food" not as physical sustenance but as the act of "doing the will of him that sent me." This highlights His divine origin and mission; He is the obedient Son, dispatched by the Father, whose entire existence is defined by fulfilling the Father's sovereign purpose. This statement reveals the unparalleled intimacy and unity between the Father and the Son, where the Son's will is perfectly subsumed in the Father's.
* **"and to finish his work."**: This clause expands upon the previous one, emphasizing the comprehensive and teleological nature of Jesus' mission. It's not merely about starting the Father's will but about bringing it to full completion (*teleioō*). This "work" encompasses the entire redemptive plan, from His incarnation and ministry to His death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus' commitment is to see every aspect of the Father's design brought to fruition, underscoring the definitive and accomplished nature of His saving work for humanity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Metaphor** is central, as Jesus uses "meat" (physical food) to represent spiritual sustenance and fulfillment. This vivid comparison immediately draws attention and challenges the disciples' conventional understanding of needs and priorities. The phrase "him that sent me" is a recurring **motif** in John's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus' divine origin and His role as the Father's appointed messenger and agent of salvation. This repetition reinforces the theme of divine authority and mission. Furthermore, the structure of the statement, "to do... and to finish," creates a sense of **parallelism** and **climax**, highlighting both the ongoing commitment to obedience and the ultimate goal of completion. This rhetorical choice underscores the active and purposeful progression of Jesus' mission towards its definitive end.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:34 profoundly articulates Jesus' unique relationship with the Father and the driving force of His earthly ministry. It reveals that Jesus' very identity and sustenance are inextricably linked to His divine mission of accomplishing God's will. This is not merely an act of obedience but the source of His deepest satisfaction and vitality, presenting a radical counter-cultural understanding of purpose. It underscores the active, purposeful nature of God's redemptive plan, which Jesus perfectly embodies and brings to fruition. This verse serves as a foundational statement about the Son's perfect submission and the certainty of God's ultimate triumph through Christ's accomplished work.

* [John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Seeks the Father's Will"): "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
* [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father by Finishing His Work"): "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."
* [Hebrews 10:7](/hebrews/10-7 "Hebrews 10:7 - Jesus Comes to Do God's Will"): "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' declaration in John 4:34 offers a profound challenge and inspiration for believers today. It calls us to re-evaluate our own sources of satisfaction and purpose, asking what truly "feeds" our souls and gives meaning to our lives. Just as Jesus found His ultimate nourishment in aligning with and accomplishing the Father's will, we are invited to discover profound fulfillment not in worldly pursuits or fleeting pleasures, but in seeking and doing God's will for our lives. This involves a daily posture of listening to His Word, discerning His leading through prayer and the Holy Spirit, and actively participating in the work He has prepared for us. When our lives are oriented towards God's purposes, we experience a deep, abiding satisfaction that transcends circumstances and provides true spiritual vitality, transforming our priorities and enabling us to live lives of enduring significance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the primary "foods" that sustain your life and bring you satisfaction? How do they compare to the spiritual nourishment Jesus describes?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel most challenged to prioritize God's will over your own desires or worldly pressures?**
* **How can you more intentionally seek to "do the will" of God and "finish His work" in your daily life, your family, and your community?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to find joy and purpose in serving God and others, rather than pursuing self-centered goals?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me"?**

Answer: Jesus is using a metaphor to explain the true source of His sustenance and satisfaction. Just as physical food nourishes the body, doing the will of God the Father is what truly sustains Him, gives Him purpose, and brings Him profound fulfillment. It signifies that His deepest desire and the driving force of His entire life and ministry is perfect obedience to the divine plan for which He was sent. This statement elevates spiritual priorities above physical needs, demonstrating His unique devotion to His Father's mission.

**What is "his work" that Jesus is committed to finish?**

Answer: "His work" refers to the comprehensive redemptive plan of God the Father, which Jesus was sent to accomplish. This includes revealing the Father to humanity, teaching the truth about God's kingdom, performing miracles as signs of His divine authority, and ultimately, offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. It encompasses the entire process of salvation and the establishment of God's reign. Jesus' commitment to "finish" this work emphasizes its definitive and complete nature, ensuring that God's purposes for humanity would be fully realized through His life, death, and resurrection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:34 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' perfect embodiment of obedience and His singular focus on accomplishing the Father's redemptive work. This verse is not merely a statement about Jesus' personal priorities but a profound revelation of His messianic identity and mission. He is the Son who perfectly fulfills the Father's will, a stark contrast to Israel's historical disobedience. His "meat" is to do the Father's will, which culminates in His sacrifice on the cross, the definitive act of "finishing His work." This work, initiated by the Father, perfectly executed by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit, brings about salvation for all who believe. Jesus' commitment to "finish his work" foreshadows His triumphant cry on the cross, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Final Declaration")," signifying the complete and perfect accomplishment of God's plan for redemption. Through His obedience, Jesus becomes the new Adam, establishing a new humanity that can now, by grace through faith, also find its "meat" in doing the will of God, empowered by the very Spirit who sustained Christ (cf. [Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ") and [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). His life serves as the ultimate example and the very means by which believers are enabled to walk in newness of life, participating in the ongoing work of God's kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 6:38

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 5:30

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Job 23:12

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].

John 5:36

But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.