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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 4:38 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/4-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/43_Jhn_04_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 4:38 - The Disciples Return and Marvel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/4-38.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/4-38.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 38</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/4-37.htm" title="John 4:37">◄</a> John 4:38 <a href="/john/4-39.htm" title="John 4:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/4.htm">New International Version</a> I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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.” <a href="/esv/john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” <a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I sent you to reap what you have not toiled for; others have toiled, and you have entered into their labor." <a href="/kjv/john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. <a href="/nkjv/john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” <a href="/nasb_/john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have come into their labor.” <a href="/nasb/john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” <a href="/lsb/john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.” <a href="/amp/john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I sent you to reap [a crop] for which you have not worked. Others have worked and you have been privileged to reap the results of their work.” <a href="/csb/john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I sent you to reap what you didn’t labor for; others have labored, and you have benefited from their labor.” <a href="/hcsb/john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I sent you to reap what you didn&#8217t labor for; others have labored, and you have benefited from their labor.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor. <a href="/cev/john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I am sending you to harvest crops in fields where others have done all the hard work. <a href="/erv/john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not laboured: others have laboured, and ye are entered into their labour. <a href="/gwt/john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I have sent you to harvest a crop you have not worked for. Other people have done the hard work, and you have followed them in their work." <a href="/gnt/john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> I have sent you to reap a harvest in a field where you did not work; others worked there, and you profit from their work." <a href="/isv/john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> I have sent you to harvest what you have not worked for. Others have worked, and you have adopted their work as your own." <a href="/msb/john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have labored and you have entered into their labor." <a href="/nheb/john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." <a href="/wbt/john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I sent you to reap that on which ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye have entered into their labors. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I sent you to reap a harvest which is not the result of your own labours. Others have laboured, and you are getting benefit from their labours." <a href="/web/john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> I sent you to reap on that which you have not labored; others labored, and you have entered into their labor.” <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I sent you to reap what you have not toiled for; others have toiled, and you have entered into their labor." <a href="/ylt/john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I sent you to reap that on which ye have not laboured; others laboured, and ye into their labour have entered. <a href="/slt/john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I sent you to reap that with which ye have not been wearied: some have been wearied, and others have come into their labor.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I have sent you to reap that in which you did not labour: others have laboured, and you have entered into their labours. <a href="/cpdv/john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I have sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” <a href="/nabre/john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; for others labored, and you have entered into their labor. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> I sent you to harvest something in which you were not laboring, for another labored and you have entered upon their labors.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I have sent you to reap that on which you bestowed no labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>I have sent you to reap that upon which you have never labored: others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> I have sent you to reap that on which ye have bestowed no labour: others have laboured, and ye have entered into their labour.<CM> <a href="/mace/john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I sent you to reap where you bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and you are entred into their labours. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I sent you to reap a harvest which is not the result of your own labours. Others have laboured, and you are getting benefit from their labours." <a href="/worrell/john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>I sent you to reap that on which ye bestowed no labor; others have labored, and ye entered into their labor."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> in as much as<FR> I have sent you to reap <Fr>that on<FR> which ye have not laboured: others have laboured, and ye are entered into their labors.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/4-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1193" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">The Disciples Return and Marvel</a> …37For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/649.htm" title="649: apesteila (V-AIA-1S) -- From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.">sent</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/2325.htm" title="2325: therizein (V-PNA) -- To reap, gather, harvest. From theros; to harvest.">to reap</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">what</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouch (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2872.htm" title="2872: kekopiakate (V-RIA-2P) -- From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard.">have not worked for;</a> <a href="/greek/243.htm" title="243: alloi (Adj-NMP) -- Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; else, i.e. Different.">others</a> <a href="/greek/2872.htm" title="2872: kekopiakasin (V-RIA-3P) -- From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard.">have done the hard work,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">now you</a> <a href="/greek/1525.htm" title="1525: eiselēlythate (V-RIA-2P) -- To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.">have taken up</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2873.htm" title="2873: kopon (N-AMS) -- From kopto; a cut, i.e. toil, literally or figuratively; by implication, pains.">labor.”</a> 39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6-9</a> I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ... <a href="/matthew/9-37.htm">Matthew 9:37-38</a> Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. / Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” <a href="/luke/10-2.htm">Luke 10:2</a> And He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">1 Corinthians 9:10</a> Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest. <a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9</a> Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Romans 15:20</a> In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. <a href="/2_corinthians/10-15.htm">2 Corinthians 10:15-16</a> Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well, / so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory. <a href="/acts/18-10.htm">Acts 18:10</a> For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” <a href="/philippians/1-22.htm">Philippians 1:22</a> But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. <a href="/colossians/1-6.htm">Colossians 1:6</a> that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God. <a href="/isaiah/55-10.htm">Isaiah 55:10-11</a> For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. <a href="/amos/9-13.htm">Amos 9:13</a> “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, with which all the hills will flow. <a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5-6</a> Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. <a href="/leviticus/26-5.htm">Leviticus 26:5</a> Your threshing will continue until the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until sowing time; you will have your fill of food to eat and will dwell securely in your land. <a href="/micah/6-15.htm">Micah 6:15</a> You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I sent you to reap that where on you bestowed no labor: other men labored, and you are entered into their labors.sent.<a href="/acts/2-41.htm">Acts 2:41</a> Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.<a href="/acts/4-4.htm">Acts 4:4,32</a> Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand… <a href="/acts/5-14.htm">Acts 5:14</a> And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)other.<a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7</a> The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.<a href="/2_chronicles/36-15.htm">2 Chronicles 36:15</a> 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:<a href="/jeremiah/44-4.htm">Jeremiah 44:4</a> Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Benefit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Benefits</a> <a href="/luke/10-34.htm">Bestowed</a> <a href="/luke/24-29.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/john/4-36.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/john/4-37.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/john/3-35.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/luke/19-22.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/john/4-35.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/jonah/4-10.htm">Labored</a> <a href="/luke/5-5.htm">Laboured</a> <a href="/john/3-31.htm">Others</a> <a href="/john/4-37.htm">Planting</a> <a href="/luke/19-21.htm">Reap</a> <a href="/hosea/10-13.htm">Reaped</a> <a href="/john/3-25.htm">Result</a> <a href="/john/4-36.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/luke/19-30.htm">Whereon</a> <a href="/john/4-34.htm">Work</a> <a href="/luke/13-21.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/6-63.htm">Benefit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-11.htm">Benefits</a> <a href="/john/7-39.htm">Bestowed</a> <a href="/john/6-17.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/john/6-17.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/john/12-24.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/john/6-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/john/6-60.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/john/12-24.htm">Harvest</a> <a href="/acts/27-18.htm">Labored</a> <a href="/john/5-4.htm">Laboured</a> <a href="/john/4-48.htm">Others</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">Planting</a> <a href="/romans/1-13.htm">Reap</a> <a href="/james/5-4.htm">Reaped</a> <a href="/john/6-66.htm">Result</a> <a href="/acts/1-18.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/acts/7-33.htm">Whereon</a> <a href="/john/5-17.htm">Work</a> <a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">John 4</div>1. <a href="/john/4-1.htm">Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her.</a> 27. <a href="/john/4-27.htm">His disciples marvel.</a> 31. <a href="/john/4-31.htm">He declares to them his zeal for God's glory.</a> 39. <a href="/john/4-39.htm">Many Samaritans believe on him.</a> 43. <a href="/john/4-43.htm">He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This phrase highlights the concept of grace and the unmerited favor of God. The disciples are being sent to gather the fruits of a spiritual harvest they did not initiate. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God often calls His people to participate in His work, even when they have not been the primary agents of that work. In the context of <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4</a>, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after His encounter with the Samaritan woman, indicating that the groundwork for the spiritual harvest in Samaria was laid by others, possibly including the prophets and John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Messiah.others have done the hard work, This phrase acknowledges the labor of those who came before, such as the prophets, John the Baptist, and even Jesus Himself, who laid the foundation for the disciples' ministry. Historically, the Jewish people had been prepared for the coming of the Messiah through centuries of prophecy and teaching. The "hard work" can also be seen in the context of the Old Testament prophets who faced persecution and hardship to deliver God's message. This labor is not just physical but spiritual, involving prayer, teaching, and enduring opposition.and now you have taken up their labor. The disciples are entering into a ministry that has been prepared for them, emphasizing the continuity of God's work throughout history. This phrase suggests a transition of responsibility and the privilege of participating in God's redemptive plan. It also points to the communal and intergenerational nature of God's work, where one generation builds upon the efforts of the previous one. This is seen in the broader biblical narrative, where the apostles continue the mission of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to spread the Gospel to all nations. The disciples' role is to continue the mission, reaping the harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God, a task that will be further empowered after Pentecost.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples, teaching them about the spiritual harvest. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, they are being prepared for their role in spreading the Gospel. 3. <a href="/topical/s/samaritan_woman.htm">Samaritan Woman</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, her encounter with Jesus earlier in the chapter sets the stage for the spiritual harvest in Samaria. 4. <a href="/topical/s/samaritans.htm">Samaritans</a> The people of Samaria who are coming to faith as a result of the woman's testimony and Jesus' teaching. 5. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_harvest.htm">Spiritual Harvest</a> The metaphorical event Jesus refers to, indicating the gathering of believers into the Kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_spiritual_harvest.htm">Understanding the Spiritual Harvest</a> Recognize that the work of spreading the Gospel is a collective effort, built on the foundation laid by others before us. <a href="/topical/g/gratitude_for_past_laborers.htm">Gratitude for Past Laborers</a> Appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of those who have come before us in faith, paving the way for our spiritual growth and opportunities. <a href="/topical/a/active_participation_in_god's_work.htm">Active Participation in God's Work</a> Engage actively in the mission field, understanding that we are part of a larger plan and that our efforts contribute to the ongoing work of God. <a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god's_timing.htm">Dependence on God's Timing</a> Trust in God's perfect timing for the harvest, knowing that He orchestrates the growth and fruition of spiritual seeds. <a href="/topical/c/collaboration_in_ministry.htm">Collaboration in Ministry</a> Work collaboratively with fellow believers, recognizing that each person has a unique role in the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 4</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_sowing_and_reaping.htm">What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'he_took_our_infirmities'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'workers are few'?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_welfare.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian welfare?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'place_of_the_skull'_mean.htm">How can we work effectively during the day?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) I sent you to reap . . .--The pronouns are again emphatic. "I sent you to reap;" and the statement is of wide meaning. He is ever the Sower. All others are more or less fully reapers, though in the degree in which they really reap they will become likened unto Him, and will become sowers too. We all inherit from the past the greatest part of our mental and spiritual knowledge. The child of to-day knows more than the philosopher of early history.Other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.--Or, others have laboured. In the immediate application to the present case, the "others" is to be interpreted of Christ Himself, who had been sowing during their absence, and it may be of the woman who has sown this seed by her testimony to the Samaritans. Or the plural may be chosen as in contrast with the plural ye, and as pointing to the general truth, while the immediate reference is to Christ only.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 38. - If this be the meaning, then, in the following verse, the whole conception of their relation to the past and dependence upon it is singled out for additional comment. I have sent you, and am now sending you, to reap that whereon ye have not toiled to weariness. The idea of sowing (σπείρειν) is now expanded to (κοπιᾶν) exhausting toil; i.e. to all the laborious preparation of the soil for the seed, clearing of the forest, and ploughing on the rocky places, the cultivation of the jungle and fen. Much has been done by those who have gone before you. Others have toiled thus; their footmarks are red with blood, their tears have watered the earth, and ye have entered (and are now entering) into their toil. There is no limitation here to the cycles of work and suffering, of disappointment and apparent failure which have preceded you. The "others" is surely not a pleonasm for himself, he does verily associate with himself all his forerunners. This κόπος is far more than the mere sowing of seed or diffusion of truth, and they who have during many centuries contributed of their life to the creation of the state of mind which makes these people susceptible to the truth, have prepared the way of the disciples. In a fit place, and in the fulness of the times, he came. The disciples of Jesus, moreover, have always had a greater or less degree of pioneer work to do. The efforts of the missionary Church may be represented at all times as toiling as well as sowing. Each generation of labourers in the great field of love to man enters upon work and toil which its precursors have originated. The Tubingen critics here, true to their theory of the origin of the Fourth Gospel in the second century, suppose that, by the "others," Jesus is supposed to mean Philip the evangelist, and, by the "reapers," Peter and John, who entered into his labours, in <a href="/acts/8-15.htm">Acts 8:15</a>. Hilgenfeld thinks by the "others" was meant Paul, and by the "reapers" the twelve apostles, who sought to enter upon his work and appropriate its fruit. Thoma has followed vigorously along the same lines, and supposes that the Pauline thought <a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6-8</a>, and the story of the conversion of the Samaritans and of the heathen world to the Church, are here forthshadowed by the fourth evangelist. <a href="/commentaries/john/4-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. sent ἀπέστειλα (apesteila) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_649.htm">Strong's 649: </a> From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively. you ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. to reap θερίζειν (therizein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2325.htm">Strong's 2325: </a> To reap, gather, harvest. From theros; to harvest. what ὃ (ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. have not worked for; κεκοπιάκατε (kekopiakate) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2872.htm">Strong's 2872: </a> From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard. others ἄλλοι (alloi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_243.htm">Strong's 243: </a> Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different. have done the hard work, κεκοπιάκασιν (kekopiakasin) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2872.htm">Strong's 2872: </a> From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. {now} you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. have taken up εἰσεληλύθατε (eiselēlythate) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1525.htm">Strong's 1525: </a> To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. labor.” κόπον (kopon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2873.htm">Strong's 2873: </a> From kopto; a cut, i.e. toil, literally or figuratively; by implication, pains. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/4-38.htm">John 4:38 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/4-38.htm">NT Gospels: John 4:38 I sent you to reap that (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/4-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 4:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 4:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/4-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 4:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 4:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>