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In this lesson:
For the first time, Jesus reaches out to Gentiles. The Samaritan woman spreads the word, THE CHRIST HAS ARRIVED! Study Tip: Take notes. Notes help us learn and remember. They keep us focused and help us follow up on thoughts and ideas. Also, we can carry notes as we go about our day to meditate on and review. |
The Samaritan woman spreads the good news.
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 4:27-42
Many Samaritans believe 27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. 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. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. |
Margin notes:
"Upon this came his disciples." (4:27) - Means, "Then His disciples came." "Marvelled that he talked with the woman." (4:27) - The disciples were surprised to see Jesus talking to a Samaritan, a Gentile. "What seekest thou?" (4:27) - "What do you want?" "Left her waterpot." (4:28) - No doubt she left her burden, a heavy waterpot behind out of excitement. What burden holds you and your excitement for the Lord back. Leave it behind. "Told me all things that ever I did." (4:29) - Jesus knows us and all our secrets. "His disciples prayed him." (4:31) - "His disciples urged Him." "I have meat to eat that ye know not of." (4:32) - "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." "Hath any man brought him ought to eat?" (4:33) - "Did someone bring Him something to eat?" "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me." (4:34) - "My food (my nourishment, my sustenance) is to do the will of God." Jesus came to do the will of His father (John 5:30; 6:38), and would see it through to completion (17:4). "They are white already to harvest." (4:35) - Means, "They are ripe, ready to harvest." "He that reapeth receiveth wages." (4:36) - What is the reward for harvesting souls? See Daniel 12:3. "One soweth, and another reapeth." (4:37) - Sometimes, one person plants the seed, and another collects the harvest. Sometimes the harvest isn't brought in until much later. But don't be afraid to sow the seed, even if it's someone else who reaps the harvest. See "Today's Question" below. "Ye bestowed no labour." (4:38) - "You did no work." Means; you did not sow the seed; someone else did. "Ye are entered into their labours." (4:38) - "You benefit from their labor." Because you reap the harvest. "They besought him." (4:40) - "They begged Him." |
New Living Translation
John 4:27-42
27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?"
28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone,
29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"
30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something."
32 But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about."
33 "Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other.
34 Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
35 You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!
37 You know the saying, 'One plants and another harvests.' And it's true.
38 I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest."
Many Samaritans Believe
39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!"
40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days,
41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.
42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?"
28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone,
29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"
30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something."
32 But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about."
33 "Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other.
34 Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
35 You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!
37 You know the saying, 'One plants and another harvests.' And it's true.
38 I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest."
Many Samaritans Believe
39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!"
40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days,
41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.
42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." (4:34)
"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. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days." (4:39-40)
"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. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days." (4:39-40)
Today's Question:
1. What does reaping mean? (4:35-38)
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1. What does reaping mean? (4:35-38)
We appreciate all your suggestions and comments. Keep them coming.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Reaping refers to harvesting the souls of non-believers. We often make excuses for not telling people about Jesus. Sometimes we think people aren't interested in hearing about our Lord, or the time isn't right. Maybe we're embarrassed to talk about God. But Jesus told us not to wait; there are many ready and waiting to accept Christ (4:35). Unfortunately, there are not enough "laborers" to gather them in (Matthew 9:37). Don't balk at working for our Lord. There is an urgent need in the world for God's message, and those who do the reaping will be well paid (4:36).
Application thought for the day:
The Samaritan's could see that Jesus was "the Saviour of the world" (4:42).
What does Jesus being our Savior mean to you?
The world needs the Gospel.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke