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John 4:34

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Commentary on John 4:34 KJV

In John 4:34, Jesus articulates a profound truth about His life's purpose and sustenance. This verse comes at a pivotal moment after His transformative encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, where He revealed Himself as the Messiah and offered living water.

Context

The disciples had just returned to the well, having gone into Sychar to buy food, and were surprised to find Jesus speaking with a Samaritan woman. They urged Him to eat. His response, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work," directly contrasts physical sustenance with spiritual fulfillment. It highlights that His deepest satisfaction and energy came not from earthly provisions, but from His divine mission. This exchange underscores the spiritual nature of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing that His priorities far transcended worldly needs, even basic ones like hunger.

Key Themes

  • Divine Purpose and Obedience: Jesus clearly states that His primary sustenance and motivation come from aligning with God the Father's will. This demonstrates His complete submission and dedication to His divine mission, as also stated in John 5:30. His life was not His own, but wholly devoted to the Father's agenda.
  • Spiritual Nourishment: The phrase "My meat" (or "My food") metaphorically describes that doing God's will was as essential and satisfying to Jesus as physical food is to the body. It speaks to a deep, internal satisfaction that comes from fulfilling one's God-given purpose.
  • Completion of God's Work: Jesus was not merely doing the will of the Father, but was committed to "finish his work." This signifies the active, purposeful progression towards the ultimate goal of salvation and establishing God's kingdom. His mission was not just to begin, but to bring to fruition all that the Father had planned. This echoes His declaration later in His ministry, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "meat" (broma) refers generally to food or sustenance. Jesus' use of this term here is deeply metaphorical, indicating that His spiritual priorities superseded His physical needs. The phrase "him that sent me" (ho pempsas me) is a recurring theme in John's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus' divine origin and His role as the Father's appointed messenger and agent of salvation. The term "finish" (teleioo) implies bringing to completion, perfecting, or accomplishing a task, highlighting the definitive and complete nature of Jesus' redemptive work.

Practical Application

John 4:34 challenges believers to re-evaluate their own sources of satisfaction and purpose.

  • Prioritize God's Will: Just as Jesus found His ultimate "food" in obedience, we are called to seek God's will above all else. This involves prayer, studying His Word, and listening to the Holy Spirit.
  • Find Joy in Service: True fulfillment often comes not from worldly achievements or possessions, but from actively participating in God's work and serving others.
  • Live with Purpose: Understanding that God has a unique "work" for each of us—whether in family, career, or ministry—can provide profound meaning and direction in life, much like the good works prepared for us.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our greatest spiritual nourishment and deepest satisfaction come from aligning our lives with the divine purpose for which we were created, just as Jesus perfectly exemplified.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 6:38 (33 votes)

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

  • John 5:30 (28 votes)

    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 (24 votes)

    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 (22 votes)

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

  • John 19:30 (18 votes)

    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 (16 votes)

    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 (14 votes)

    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.