John 4:8

KJV

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

KJV (with Strong's)

(For {G1063} his {G846} disciples {G3101} were gone away {G565} unto {G1519} the city {G4172} to {G2443} buy {G59} meat {G5160}.)

Complete Jewish Bible

(His talmidim had gone into town to buy food.)

Berean Standard Bible

(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

American Standard Version

For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:8 serves as a concise, parenthetical explanation within the narrative of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. It clarifies the reason for Jesus' temporary solitude, stating that His disciples had departed into the nearby city of Sychar to purchase provisions. This seemingly minor detail is crucial, as it sets the stage for the profound and unhindered dialogue between Jesus and the woman, a conversation that transcends social and religious barriers and reveals His identity as the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 4:8 functions as a parenthetical remark, providing essential background information for the unfolding dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. It immediately follows Jesus' arrival at Jacob's well and His request for a drink from the woman in [John 4:7](/john/4-7 "John 4:7 - Jesus Asks for Water"). The verse explains *why* Jesus was alone at this pivotal moment, allowing for the intimate and culturally transgressive conversation that follows. Without the disciples' absence, the dynamics of the encounter, particularly the woman's initial surprise at Jesus' request in [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jewish-Samaritan Divide"), would be significantly altered. This brief interjection highlights the deliberate nature of Jesus' ministry and the sovereign orchestration of circumstances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Samaria, a region historically and culturally distinct from Judea and Galilee. Relations between Jews and Samaritans were deeply hostile, rooted in centuries of religious and ethnic animosity (as explicitly mentioned in [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jewish-Samaritan Antagonism")). Jews typically avoided passing through Samaria, often taking a longer route around it. The disciples' journey into Sychar to "buy meat" (i.e., food or provisions) underscores the practical necessities of travel, but also subtly highlights the cultural tension; Jews would generally not expect hospitality or provisions from Samaritans, necessitating their own procurement. This cultural divide makes Jesus' willingness to engage the Samaritan woman even more striking and counter-cultural.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it subtly reinforces the **divine intentionality** behind Jesus' actions; His solitude at the well was not accidental but part of God's sovereign plan to facilitate a transformative encounter. Secondly, it emphasizes the **full humanity of Jesus**, reminding readers that He experienced human needs like hunger and thirst, making Him relatable and underscoring the reality of His incarnation, as seen in His weariness in [John 4:6](/john/4-6 "John 4:6 - Jesus' Humanity at the Well"). Finally, the disciples' absence **sets the stage for profound revelation**, allowing Jesus to engage in a deep theological discussion about [living water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water"), true worship, and His identity as the Messiah, unhindered by the presence or potential interference of His followers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs_):** From *manthanō*, meaning "to learn," this term refers to a learner or pupil. In this context, it designates those who followed Jesus, were taught by Him, and were committed to His way of life. Their temporary departure highlights Jesus' unique ability to minister independently and underscores His divine authority.
* **city (Greek, _pólis_):** This term denotes a town, typically one with walls, of varying size. Here, it refers to Sychar, the Samaritan city near Jacob's well. The disciples' journey "unto the city" signifies a practical errand into a populated area, emphasizing the mundane yet necessary aspects of their journey.
* **meat (Greek, _trophḗ_):** Derived from *trephō* (to nourish), *trophḗ* broadly means "nourishment," "food," or "provisions" in general. It does not specifically refer to animal flesh but to any sustenance. This general sense of "food" provides a subtle contrast with Jesus' later declaration in [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Spiritual Food"), where He speaks of His "meat" being to do the will of His Father, signifying a shift from physical sustenance to spiritual purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(For his disciples were gone away":** This parenthetical clause explains the reason for Jesus' solitude. The phrase "gone away" (Greek: *apérchomai*) denotes a deliberate departure, indicating that the disciples had intentionally left Jesus' immediate presence. This action was not accidental but a planned separation for a specific purpose.
* **"unto the city":** This specifies the destination of the disciples' departure—Sychar. Their journey into the city was a practical necessity, indicating their intent to engage with the local populace for their needs.
* **"to buy meat.)":** This final phrase clarifies the purpose of their errand. The Greek word *agorázō* means "to go to market" or "to purchase," and *trophḗ* refers to general provisions or food. Thus, the disciples went to the city to acquire necessary sustenance, setting the scene for Jesus' unhindered interaction.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in John 4:8 is **Parenthesis**. The entire verse is enclosed in parentheses in many translations (including KJV), indicating that it is an explanatory aside that interrupts the main narrative flow between Jesus' request for water in [John 4:7](/john/4-7 "John 4:7 - Jesus Asks for Water") and the Samaritan woman's response in [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - The Samaritan Woman's Question"). This allows the author to provide crucial background information without disrupting the direct dialogue. Additionally, there is subtle **Foreshadowing** in the use of "meat" (*trophḗ*). While here it refers to physical food, it subtly anticipates Jesus' later declaration in [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' True Nourishment") that His "meat" is to do the will of the Father, contrasting physical sustenance with spiritual purpose and divine mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:8, though a simple explanatory note, underscores the profound theological truth of divine orchestration. God often uses seemingly mundane or logistical circumstances to create opportunities for spiritual breakthrough. The disciples' absence was not merely a practical necessity but a divinely appointed moment that allowed Jesus to engage the Samaritan woman without the social complications or potential interference that their presence might have introduced. This highlights God's meticulous planning, where even small details contribute to His grand redemptive purposes, demonstrating that no moment is insignificant in His sovereign plan. This principle encourages believers to recognize God's hand at work in the ordinary and to be attentive to the "set-ups" He provides for ministry.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - God Directs Our Steps")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This brief verse invites us to consider the intentionality of God in the seemingly ordinary moments of our lives. Just as the disciples' departure created a divine appointment for Jesus, our own moments of solitude, waiting, or mundane errands can be precisely where God positions us for significant encounters or revelations. It challenges us to cultivate a spiritual attentiveness, recognizing that God's purposes often unfold not in grand, dramatic events, but in the quiet, overlooked spaces of everyday life. Are we open to being used by God even when we feel isolated or are engaged in routine tasks? This verse reminds us that God is always at work, and He invites us to participate in His redemptive plan, often through circumstances we might initially deem insignificant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might God be using seemingly ordinary or inconvenient circumstances in my life to create opportunities for spiritual growth or ministry?**
* **In what "solitary" moments or routine activities might I be missing a divine appointment because I'm not looking for it?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the importance of being present and attentive to the people and situations God places before me, even when I'm "waiting" for something else?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus' disciples go to the city to buy food, especially if they were in Samaria?**

Answer: The disciples went to the city of Sychar to buy food (Greek: *trophḗ*, general provisions) because it was a practical necessity for their journey. As travelers, they needed sustenance. The fact that they went into a Samaritan city, despite the deep-seated animosity between Jews and Samaritans, highlights their immediate need for provisions. While Jews generally avoided Samaritans and their food, the urgency of their hunger likely outweighed typical cultural prejudices. This temporary absence of the disciples was also providentially orchestrated, allowing Jesus to have an unhindered and deeply significant conversation with the Samaritan woman, a conversation that would have been culturally scandalous and potentially interrupted had the disciples been present, as implied by the woman's surprise in [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jewish-Samaritan Divide").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:8, by highlighting Jesus' physical need for "meat" or food, subtly points to His full humanity, a crucial aspect of His redemptive work. Yet, this physical need is quickly transcended by Jesus' later declaration in [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' True Nourishment") that His "meat" is to do the will of Him who sent Him. This spiritual "food" is the essence of His mission: to accomplish the Father's work of salvation. Ultimately, Jesus Himself is the true and eternal sustenance for humanity. He declares in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") that He is "the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." He offers spiritual nourishment that far surpasses any physical meal, providing eternal life and satisfaction. Just as the disciples sought physical food, humanity, in its deepest need, is called to seek Jesus, the one who provides true and lasting spiritual sustenance, fulfilling all our deepest longings and bringing us into right relationship with God, as beautifully articulated in His sacrificial work on the cross, the ultimate provision for our souls ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus Gives His Flesh for the Life of the World")).

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 4:39

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

John 4:5

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Luke 9:13

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

John 6:5

When Jesus then lifted up [his] eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

John 6:7

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.