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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 4:38, Jesus explains to His disciples their privileged role in the spiritual harvest, declaring that He has sent them to gather fruit from fields where they did not perform the initial, arduous labor. This statement underscores the collaborative nature of God's redemptive work, highlighting that the disciples are entering into the preparatory efforts and sacrifices of others, thereby emphasizing divine commission and the continuity of ministry across different individuals and generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of Jesus' profound teaching to His disciples immediately following His transformative encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. After the woman's testimony led many Samaritans to believe in Jesus, the disciples returned and urged Him to eat. Jesus responded by redefining His "meat" as doing the will of the Father and finishing His work ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will")). He then shifted their focus from physical sustenance to a spiritual reality, pointing to the "fields... white already to harvest" ([John 4:35](/john/4-35 "John 4:35 - The Fields Are White for Harvest")). He further elaborated on the principle of distinct roles in ministry, stating that "one soweth, and another reapeth" ([John 4:37](/john/4-37 "John 4:37 - One Sows, Another Reaps")), setting the stage for His direct declaration in verse 38 regarding their specific commission to reap where others have labored.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The agrarian society of ancient Israel made agricultural metaphors, such as sowing and reaping, readily comprehensible to Jesus' audience. The act of "harvesting" was a familiar and vital part of their annual cycle, often requiring intense, coordinated effort. Furthermore, the setting in Samaria is highly significant. Jews typically avoided Samaritans due to deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity. For Samaritans to openly believe in Jesus, spurred by the testimony of a woman, was an extraordinary event, challenging conventional Jewish prejudices and demonstrating the universal reach of God's kingdom. This immediate context highlights the unexpected and divinely prepared nature of the spiritual harvest the disciples were about to enter.
* **Key Themes:** John 4:38 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It emphasizes the **divine commission** of believers, as Jesus explicitly states, "I sent you," indicating that ministry is not self-initiated but a sovereign calling. It highlights the **continuity and progression of God's work**, illustrating that the spiritual harvest is a cumulative effort spanning generations, with different individuals playing distinct but interconnected roles. This verse also underscores the theme of **divine grace and privilege** in ministry, as the disciples are called to reap where they did not toil, implying that God's preparation often precedes human effort. Finally, it promotes **humility and collaboration** within the body of Christ, reminding believers that no single person or group is solely responsible for the success of the Gospel, but rather all are participants in God's grand redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō_):** To set apart, to send out, properly on a mission. This word emphasizes that the disciples' role is not self-appointed but divinely authorized and commissioned by Jesus Himself. It signifies a specific purpose and authority given by the sender.
* **reap (Greek, _therízō_):** To harvest, to gather the crop. In the context of spiritual ministry, this refers to the act of bringing people to faith or into the Kingdom of God. It is distinct from the preparatory work of sowing or cultivating, focusing on the final ingathering of souls.
* **laboured (Greek, _kopiáō_):** To feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard. This verb denotes intense, often exhausting toil or exertion, highlighting the arduous effort involved in preparing the spiritual ground and sowing the seed. It speaks of diligent, strenuous work that can lead to weariness.
* **labours (Greek, _kópos_):** Toil, weariness, pains. This noun refers to the result or product of the hard work, the fruit of the strenuous effort expended by others. It encapsulates the sum total of the diligent, tiring work that has been performed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour:"** Jesus asserts His authority and initiative, declaring that He is the one who commissioned the disciples. Their specific task is to "reap," or gather the spiritual harvest. The crucial qualification is that this harvest is the result of work they themselves did not perform. This highlights a divine orchestration where the disciples are beneficiaries of prior preparation.
* **"other men laboured,"** This clause identifies the agents responsible for the foundational, preparatory work. These "other men" could refer to Old Testament prophets who prepared the way for the Messiah, John the Baptist who announced His coming, or even Jesus Himself, whose ministry and teaching laid the immediate groundwork. It signifies that the spiritual field was not barren but had been cultivated by significant prior effort.
* **"and ye are entered into their labours."** This final phrase clarifies the disciples' position: they are stepping into a pre-prepared situation. They are not starting from scratch but are building upon the strenuous, often unseen, efforts of those who came before them. Their reaping is made possible and fruitful precisely because of the "labours" (the results of the hard work) of others.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in John 4:38, and indeed the surrounding passage, is an **Agricultural Metaphor**. Jesus consistently uses the imagery of sowing, laboring, and reaping to explain spiritual realities, making abstract theological concepts tangible and relatable to an agrarian society. The verse also employs **Contrast**, setting the disciples' "no labour" in the preparatory phase against the "labour" of "other men," thereby emphasizing the distinct roles within God's work. Furthermore, the phrase "I sent you" functions as a clear statement of **Divine Commission**, highlighting Jesus' authority and the disciples' delegated mission. This direct assertion underscores the divine origin and purpose of their ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:38 profoundly illustrates the interconnectedness and continuity of God's redemptive plan across time and through various individuals. It teaches that the spiritual harvest is not a series of isolated efforts but a grand, unified work orchestrated by God. Believers are called to participate in this ongoing work, often building upon the foundation laid by those who came before them. This truth fosters humility, recognizing that any fruit borne is ultimately a result of God's sovereign preparation and the cumulative efforts of many, rather than solely one's own. It underscores the grace of God in allowing believers to participate in a harvest that He Himself has prepared, emphasizing that every role, whether sowing or reaping, is vital and divinely appointed.

* [1 Corinthians 3:6-9](/1_corinthians/3-6-9 "1 Corinthians 3:6-9 - God Gives the Increase")
* [Matthew 9:37-38](/matthew/9-37-38 "Matthew 9:37-38 - The Harvest is Plentiful")
* [Hebrews 11:39-40](/hebrews/11-39-40 "Hebrews 11:39-40 - The Faith of the Ancients")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:38 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, encouraging a humble and appreciative perspective on our role in God's kingdom. It calls us to recognize that our opportunities for ministry, evangelism, and spiritual growth are often built upon the faithful, sometimes unseen, "labours" of those who came before us—whether they be missionaries, pastors, teachers, or godly family members. This understanding cultivates gratitude for our spiritual heritage and fosters a spirit of collaboration rather than competition in ministry. It reminds us that success is not solely a measure of our individual effort but a testament to God's ongoing work through many hands. We are called to be ready to "reap" when God presents the opportunity, understanding that He has often already prepared hearts and situations. This readiness involves prayer, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to step into the harvest fields that God has made "white" through His sovereign grace and the diligent work of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that you are "entering into the labours of others" impact your sense of humility and gratitude in ministry or personal spiritual growth?**
* **Who are some of the "other men" (or women) in your life whose spiritual "labours" have prepared the way for your faith or ministry opportunities?**
* **In what ways can you actively recognize, honor, and build upon the spiritual heritage left by those who came before you in your community or church?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to view collaboration and teamwork within the body of Christ, rather than individual achievement?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "other men" referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "other men" (or "others") refer to those who performed the foundational, preparatory work for the spiritual harvest the disciples were about to gather. This could encompass a range of individuals throughout salvation history:
* **Old Testament Prophets:** Who foretold the coming of the Messiah and prepared the hearts of the people for His arrival.
* **John the Baptist:** Who directly prepared the way for Jesus' ministry, calling people to repentance and pointing them to the Lamb of God.
* **Jesus Himself:** Whose personal ministry, teaching, and miracles laid the most immediate and crucial groundwork, especially in this context, His direct interaction with the Samaritan woman and the subsequent belief of many Samaritans ([John 4:39-41](/john/4-39-41 "John 4:39-41 - Samaritans Believe in Jesus")).
* **The Samaritan Woman:** Her testimony to her townspeople was instrumental in their coming to Jesus, making her a significant "laborer" in this specific harvest ([John 4:39](/john/4-39 "John 4:39 - Many Samaritans Believe")).
The phrase emphasizes that God's work is continuous and collaborative, with different individuals contributing to the overall advancement of His kingdom.

**Does this verse imply that believers don't need to work hard in ministry?**

Answer: No, this verse does not suggest that believers should not work hard. Instead, it clarifies the *nature* of the work the disciples were being sent to do *in this specific instance*. Jesus states they were sent "to reap," which itself requires significant effort and diligence. The point is that they did not have to perform the *initial, arduous groundwork* (the "sowing" and "cultivating") for *this particular harvest*. Ministry still demands immense dedication, sacrifice, and "labour" (as seen in the lives of the apostles and countless missionaries throughout history). This verse simply highlights that God often prepares the ground and brings people to a point of readiness through the efforts of others, allowing subsequent laborers to focus on the ingathering of souls. It underscores the collaborative and sequential nature of God's kingdom work, where different individuals play distinct yet equally vital roles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:38 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the supreme "laborer" whose finished work provides the very foundation for all subsequent spiritual reaping. When Jesus declares, "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours," He implicitly places His own redemptive work as the preeminent "labour" that makes any harvest possible. He is the divine Sower who sows the seed of the Gospel through His life, death, and resurrection, and He is the one who prepares the hearts of humanity. The disciples, and indeed all believers throughout history, are privileged to "enter into His labours" – the perfect, complete, and eternally sufficient work of atonement and reconciliation that Jesus accomplished on the cross. Our ability to "reap" souls for the kingdom is entirely dependent upon the "labour" of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). He is the one who laid down His life like a grain of wheat to produce much fruit ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat")), and it is into the abundance of that fruit that we are called to gather. Thus, the verse points not only to the work of prophets or John the Baptist but ultimately to the foundational, all-sufficient work of Christ, the [author and finisher of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith"), without whom no spiritual harvest could ever occur.

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 1:7

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe.

Acts 8:14

¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Acts 8:17

Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:42

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.

Acts 10:43

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

2 Chronicles 36:15

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

Acts 8:4

¶ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.