John 4:37

KJV

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1063} herein {G1722}{G5129} is {G2076} that saying {G3056} true {G228},{G3754} One {G243} soweth {G2076}{G4687}, and {G2532} another {G243} reapeth {G2325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for in this matter, the proverb, ‘One sows and another reaps,’ holds true.

Berean Standard Bible

For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.

American Standard Version

For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:37 encapsulates a profound spiritual truth through a common agricultural proverb, asserting that in the divine economy of salvation, different individuals are called to distinct but equally vital roles: some initiate the work by "sowing" the seeds of the Gospel, while others follow by "reaping" the harvest of souls. This verse, spoken by Jesus to His disciples, reorients their understanding of ministry from a purely physical need to an urgent spiritual reality, emphasizing the collaborative nature of God's redemptive mission and the continuity of His work across generations of laborers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the pivotal narrative of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman"). Following His revelatory conversation with the woman, who then goes to invite her townspeople (John 4:28-30), the disciples return from buying food. Jesus then declares His true "food" is to do the will of God and finish His work (John 4:31-34). He then draws their attention to the spiritual urgency of the moment, noting that the "fields are white already to harvest" ([John 4:35](/john/4-35 "John 4:35 - The Fields Are White for Harvest")), indicating a readiness among the Samaritans to receive the Gospel. John 4:37 immediately follows this declaration, serving as a foundational principle for the collaborative nature of the spiritual harvest that is about to unfold as many Samaritans come to believe in Jesus (John 4:39-42).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, making agricultural metaphors readily understandable to Jesus' audience. Sowing and reaping were distinct, sequential, and often labor-intensive processes. Sowing involved preparing the soil and planting seeds, while reaping involved harvesting the mature crop. This division of labor was common. The specific setting in Samaria is also crucial; centuries of animosity existed between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus' willingness to engage the Samaritan woman and the subsequent receptivity of the Samaritans challenged deep-seated cultural prejudices, highlighting that God's harvest extends beyond traditional boundaries, encompassing all who are ready to believe.
* **Key Themes:** John 4:37 contributes significantly to several key themes in the Gospel of John and broader biblical theology. It underscores the **divine mission and purpose** of Jesus, whose ultimate "food" is to fulfill God's will ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do God's Will")). It highlights the **urgency of evangelism and the spiritual harvest**, contrasting the disciples' focus on physical food with the immediate spiritual opportunity before them ([John 4:35](/john/4-35 "The Urgency of the Harvest")). Most centrally, it establishes the theme of **collaborative ministry**, emphasizing that God uses various individuals in different stages of His redemptive work, ensuring continuity and partnership rather than isolated effort. This theme of shared labor for a common, divinely ordained goal is foundational to understanding the body of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saying (Greek, _lógos_):** This term (G3056) refers to something spoken, a word, discourse, or a well-known adage. Here, it explicitly indicates that Jesus is referencing a common proverb or maxim understood by His audience. Its use underscores that Jesus often took familiar concepts and infused them with profound spiritual meaning, elevating their application beyond the mundane.
* **soweth (Greek, _speírō_):** Derived from G4687, meaning "to scatter" or "to sow" (literally or figuratively). In this context, it metaphorically represents the initial work of evangelism: planting the seeds of the Gospel, introducing spiritual truths, or preparing hearts to receive God's message. It signifies the foundational, often unseen, labor that precedes conversion.
* **reapeth (Greek, _therízō_):** From G2325, meaning "to harvest" or "to gather the crop." This term metaphorically describes the culmination of spiritual labor: bringing individuals to faith, seeing conversions, or witnessing the fruit of discipleship. It represents the joyous act of gathering souls into God's kingdom, often building upon the preparatory work of others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And herein is that saying true":** Jesus affirms the veracity of a common agricultural proverb, signaling that He is about to apply its literal truth to a deeper, spiritual reality. This phrase validates the principle He is about to articulate, giving it authority and relevance beyond its original context.
* **"One soweth":** This clause refers to the individual or group who undertakes the initial, foundational work of preparing the ground and planting the seeds. Spiritually, it signifies those who first share the Gospel, lay groundwork through prayer, or live lives that draw others to Christ, often without seeing immediate results.
* **"and another reapeth":** This clause refers to the individual or group who comes later to gather the mature harvest. Spiritually, it signifies those who witness conversions, disciple new believers, or bring to fruition the spiritual growth that began through the efforts of others. This highlights the sequential and collaborative nature of God's work.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in John 4:37 is **Metaphor**, specifically an **Agricultural Metaphor**. Jesus uses the familiar processes of "sowing" and "reaping" from agrarian life to illustrate the spiritual work of evangelism and discipleship. This allows for a clear and relatable understanding of distinct yet interconnected roles in God's kingdom work. The explicit mention of "that saying true" also identifies the verse as an **Adage** or **Proverb**, a concise statement of truth that Jesus then applies with spiritual depth. Furthermore, the contrasting actions of "one soweth" and "another reapeth" exemplify **Antithesis**, highlighting the complementary nature of different ministries and the division of labor within God's overarching plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:37 profoundly articulates the theological principle of divine partnership in ministry, emphasizing that the work of God's kingdom is a collaborative effort spanning time and individuals. It underscores that salvation is ultimately God's work, but He graciously involves human agents in various capacities. No single person is responsible for the entire process from initial exposure to final conversion; rather, believers contribute at different stages, each role being indispensable and valued in God's eyes. This continuity of labor fosters humility, unity, and a long-term perspective on God's redemptive plan, reminding us that we often build on the faithful efforts of those who came before us, and others will build upon ours.

* [1 Corinthians 3:6-9](/1-corinthians/3-6-9 "Paul on Planting and Watering")
* [Matthew 9:37-38](/matthew/9-37-38 "The Harvest is Plentiful")
* [Galatians 6:9](/galatians/6-9 "Reaping a Harvest if We Do Not Give Up")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense encouragement and practical guidance for every believer engaged in God's work. It liberates us from the burden of needing to see every outcome, reminding us that our faithfulness in our assigned role is what truly matters. Whether we are "sowers" who plant seeds of truth through evangelism, teaching, or simply living a Christ-like life, or "reapers" who guide individuals to faith and nurture their growth, our contributions are equally vital and interdependent. This understanding fosters humility, preventing pride in those who see immediate results and despair in those whose labor seems to yield little. It calls us to embrace teamwork, recognizing that the spiritual harvest is a collective endeavor, requiring diverse gifts and continuous effort. Ultimately, it directs our focus to God, the sovereign Lord of the harvest, who orchestrates every stage and brings about the increase.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might you be a "sower" in your current relationships or community, even if you don't see immediate "reaping"?**
* **How does understanding the collaborative nature of ministry (sowing and reaping) encourage you in your own service to God?**
* **What specific steps can you take to partner more effectively with others in the body of Christ for the sake of the spiritual harvest?**

### FAQ
**What is the "saying" Jesus refers to in John 4:37?**

Answer: The "saying" (Greek: _logos_) Jesus refers to is a common agricultural proverb or adage of His time, which essentially states that the person who plants the crop is often not the same person who harvests it. It acknowledges the division of labor in farming, where different individuals or groups might be involved in sequential stages of cultivation. Jesus affirms its literal truth but then immediately applies it metaphorically to the spiritual harvest of souls, highlighting the collaborative and continuous nature of God's work in bringing people to salvation, as seen in the broader context of [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman").

**How does this verse apply to modern Christian ministry and evangelism?**

Answer: John 4:37 remains profoundly relevant for modern Christian ministry and evangelism. It teaches us to value every role in the process of spiritual growth and conversion, whether one is planting seeds of faith through initial outreach, watering them through discipleship and teaching, or bringing in the harvest through personal evangelism and leading someone to Christ. It encourages perseverance, reminding us that our efforts contribute to a larger, ongoing work, and we may not always see the immediate fruit of our labor. It also promotes unity and teamwork within the body of Christ, discouraging competition and fostering a shared vision for the spiritual harvest. Just as Paul later articulated in [1 Corinthians 3:6-9](/1-corinthians/3-6-9 "Paul on Planting and Watering"), "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:37, while speaking of human collaboration in ministry, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who embodies both the sower and the reaper, and whose entire mission is the divine harvest. Jesus is the supreme Sower, scattering the seeds of the Kingdom through His teachings, miracles, and ultimately, His very life and death. He came to initiate a new covenant, planting the foundational truth of God's love and redemption ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Yet, He is also the ultimate Reaper, drawing all people to Himself through His crucifixion and resurrection ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Will Draw All People to Himself")), and at the end of the age, He will gather His elect from the four winds ([Matthew 24:31](/matthew/24-31 "Matthew 24:31 - Gathering the Elect")). The disciples, and all believers after them, are called to participate in *His* harvest, building upon the radical sowing He accomplished. Their labor, though distinct, is inextricably linked to His finished work on the cross, which made the spiritual harvest possible, and to His ongoing work as the Lord of the harvest who sends out laborers ([Matthew 9:38](/matthew/9-38 "Matthew 9:38 - Pray for Laborers")). Thus, the proverb in [John 4:37](/john/4-37 "John 4:37 - One Soweth, Another Reapeth") is not merely about human division of labor, but about participating in the singular, redemptive mission initiated and perfected by Christ.

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

Micah 6:15

Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

Job 31:8

[Then] let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

Luke 19:21

For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

Judges 6:3

And [so] it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;