John 4:34
New International Version
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

New Living Translation
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

English Standard Version
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

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

Berean Literal Bible
Jesus says to them, "My food is that I should do the will of the One having sent Me, and should finish His work.

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

New King James Version
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

New American Standard Bible
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.

NASB 1995
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.

NASB 1977
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.

Legacy Standard Bible
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

Amplified Bible
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.

Christian Standard Bible
“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work,” Jesus told them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” Jesus told them.

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

Contemporary English Version
Jesus said: My food is to do what God wants! He is the one who sent me, and I must finish the work that he gave me to do.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus told them, "My food is to do what the one who sent me wants me to do and to finish the work he has given me.

Good News Translation
"My food," Jesus said to them, "is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do.

International Standard Version
Jesus told them, "My food is doing the will of the one who sent me and completing his work.

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

NET Bible
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work.

New Heart English Bible
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.

Webster's Bible Translation
Jesus saith to them, My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Weymouth New Testament
"My food," said Jesus, "is to be obedient to Him who sent me, and fully to accomplish His work.

World English Bible
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Jesus says to them, “My food is that I may do the will of Him who sent Me, and may finish His work;

Berean Literal Bible
Jesus says to them, "My food is that I should do the will of the One having sent Me, and should finish His work.

Young's Literal Translation
Jesus saith to them, 'My food is, that I may do the will of Him who sent me, and may finish His work;

Smith's Literal Translation
Jesus says to them, My food is that I might do the will of him having sent me, and finish his work.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus saith to them: My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, that I may perfect his work.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Jesus said to them: “My food is to do the will of the One who sent me, so that I may perfect his work.

New American Bible
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said to them, “My personal food is that I do the will of him who has sent me and finish His work.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Jesus said to them: My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Godbey New Testament
Jesus says to them, My food is that I may do the will of Him that sent me, and finish His work.

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

Mace New Testament
Jesus said to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Weymouth New Testament
"My food," said Jesus, "is to be obedient to Him who sent me, and fully to accomplish His work.

Worrell New Testament
Jesus saith to them, "My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His work.

Worsley New Testament
Jesus saith unto them, My food is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Disciples Return and Marvel
33So the disciples asked one another, “Could someone have brought Him food?” 34 Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. 35Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest.…

Cross References
John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

John 5:30
I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 17:4
I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.

John 9:4
While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Luke 22:42
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Hebrews 10:7
Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”

Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Isaiah 53:10
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

Psalm 40:7-8
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll: / I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,

Hebrews 5:8-9
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. / And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

Romans 15:3
For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

My meat.

John 4:32
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

John 6:33,38
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world…

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.

and.

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.

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.

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John 4
1. Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her.
27. His disciples marvel.
31. He declares to them his zeal for God's glory.
39. Many Samaritans believe on him.
43. He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum.














Jesus explained
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. His explanation comes in response to their urging Him to eat, highlighting His focus on spiritual matters over physical needs. This moment underscores Jesus' role as a teacher, often using everyday situations to impart deeper spiritual truths.

My food
Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of food to describe His sustenance and purpose. In the cultural context, food is essential for life, and by equating His mission to food, Jesus emphasizes the necessity and priority of His divine mission. This metaphor aligns with other scriptural instances where spiritual nourishment is prioritized, such as in Matthew 4:4, where Jesus states that man shall not live by bread alone.

is to do the will of Him who sent Me
This phrase highlights Jesus' submission and obedience to God the Father. It reflects the Trinitarian relationship where the Son willingly fulfills the Father's plan. The concept of being "sent" is significant in the Gospel of John, emphasizing Jesus' divine mission and authority. This aligns with prophecies like Isaiah 61:1, which speak of the Messiah being sent to accomplish God's purposes.

and to finish His work
Jesus speaks of completing the work given to Him by the Father, which includes His teachings, miracles, and ultimately, His sacrificial death and resurrection. This completion is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's redemptive role, such as in Isaiah 53. The notion of finishing the work also foreshadows Jesus' declaration on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30), signifying the completion of His earthly mission and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about His mission and purpose.

2. Disciples
Followers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and witnessing His ministry.

3. Samaria
The region where this conversation takes place, significant for its cultural and religious tensions with the Jews.

4. The Samaritan Woman
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, she is part of the broader account in John 4, where Jesus reveals His identity and mission.

5. The Will of the Father
Refers to God's divine plan and purpose, which Jesus is committed to fulfilling.
Teaching Points
Understanding Spiritual Nourishment
Jesus teaches that true sustenance comes from fulfilling God's will, not just physical food. Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual nourishment through obedience and service.

Commitment to God's Mission
Jesus' dedication to completing the Father's work serves as a model for Christians to prioritize God's mission in their lives.

Obedience as Worship
Doing God's will is an act of worship and devotion, reflecting a heart aligned with God's purposes.

The Urgency of the Gospel
Jesus' focus on finishing the work highlights the urgency of sharing the Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission.

Living with Purpose
Believers are called to live intentionally, aligning their actions with God's will and purpose for their lives.(34) My meat.--Better, My food, as before (John 4:8).

To do the will. . . . to finish.--Better, that I may do the will, . . . that I may finish. These verbs point out the end which He ever kept in view. In some of the best MSS., and in the received text, the tenses are different. That. I may be constantly doing the will of Him that sent Me, and may then at last complete His work. (Comp. John 17:4.)

This work He speaks of here, and in John 4:32, as actual food, as the supply of the truest needs, and the satisfaction of the truest desires of His nature. (Comp. Note on Matthew 4:4.) Analogies to this are within the limits of every man's experience, and, faint as they are, help us to learn something of what this spiritual sustenance was. The command of duty, the cheering power of hope, the stimulus of success, are forces that supply to weak and weary nerves and muscles, the vigour of a new life. Under them the soldier can forget his wounds, the martyr smile at the lion or the flame, the worn-out traveller still plod onward at the thought of home. We cannot analyse this power, but it exists. They have food to eat that those without know not of.

Verse 34. - Jesus said to them, My food - that which satisfies my strongest desire, and quenches all other desire - is that I may do continuously the will of him that sent me on my mission to this people and to this world. "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God," was the motto and burden of his life. "Not my will, but thine," was the sacrificial cry which redeemed the world. To teach man to do the will of the Father is the motive which sustained him, and the prayer he put upon human lips was, "Thy will be done." Meyer here rightly says that ἵνα is not equal to ὅτι. Some expression is given by it as to the end and purpose of the mysterious life of which we have these sacred illustrations. The doing of the will of God is a perpetual and sublime activity, a continuing, ceaseless purpose; while the completion of the work will be one consummating act, towards which all the daily doing of the will is a preparation, and of which, in some sense, every day we discern a prelibation and forthshadowing. In John 17:4 he says, τελειώσας, "having completed the work thou," etc. This passage points on to that (cf. also John 5:30, 6:38; 7:18; 8:50; 9:4; 12:49, 50; 14:31, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

explained,
Λέγει (Legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“My
Ἐμὸν (Emon)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Neuter 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1699: My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.

food
βρῶμά (brōma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1033: Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

do
ποιήσω (poiēsō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

will
θέλημα (thelēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

of Him who
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sent
πέμψαντός (pempsantos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3992: To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.

Me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to finish
τελειώσω (teleiōsō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5048: From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

work.
ἔργον (ergon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.


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John 4:33
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