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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 4:34 Jesus explained, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/4-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/43_Jhn_04_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 4:34 - The Disciples Return and Marvel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jesus explained, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.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/4-33.htm" title="John 4:33">◄</a> John 4:34 <a href="/john/4-35.htm" title="John 4:35">►</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> &#8220My food,&#8221 said Jesus, &#8220is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. <a href="/nlt/john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. <a href="/esv/john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. <a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus says to them, "My food is that I should do the will of the One having sent Me, and should finish His work. <a href="/kjv/john/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. <a href="/nkjv/john/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. <a href="/nasb_/john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. <a href="/nasb/john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Jesus said to them, &#8220My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. <a href="/nasb77/john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. <a href="/lsb/john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. <a href="/amp/john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work. <a href="/csb/john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work,” Jesus told them. <a href="/hcsb/john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,&#8221 Jesus told them. <a href="/asv/john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. <a href="/cev/john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. <a href="/gwt/john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> 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. <a href="/gnt/john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> "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. <a href="/isv/john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus told them, "My food is doing the will of the one who sent me and completing his work. <a href="/msb/john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Jesus explained, ?My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. <a href="/net/john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. <a href="/nheb/john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. <a href="/wbt/john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Jesus saith to them, My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "My food," said Jesus, "is to be obedient to Him who sent me, and fully to accomplish His work. <a href="/web/john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Jesus says to them, “My food is that I may do the will of Him who sent Me, and may finish His work; <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus says to them, "My food is that I should do the will of the One having sent Me, and should finish His work. <a href="/ylt/john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Jesus saith to them, 'My food is, that I may do the will of Him who sent me, and may finish His work; <a href="/slt/john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Jesus says to them, My food is that I might do the will of him having sent me, and finish his work.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Jesus saith to them: My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, that I may perfect his work. <a href="/cpdv/john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Jesus said to them: “My food is to do the will of the One who sent me, so that I may perfect his work. <a href="/nabre/john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. <a href="/nrsvce/john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yeshua said to them, “My personal food is that I do the will of him who has sent me and finish His work.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Jesus said to them: My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. <a href="/godbey/john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Jesus says to them, <FR>My food is that I may do the will of Him that sent me, and finish His work.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. <a href="/mace/john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus said to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "My food," said Jesus, "is to be obedient to Him who sent me, and fully to accomplish His work. <a href="/worrell/john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Jesus saith to them, <FR>"My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His work.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Jesus saith unto them, <FR>My food is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his work.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/4-34.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=1160" 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> …33So the disciples asked one another, “Could someone have brought Him food?” 34<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">explained,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: Emon (PPro-NN1S) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">“My</a> <a href="/greek/1033.htm" title="1033: brōma (N-NNS) -- Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.">food</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsō (V-ASA-1S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2307.htm" title="2307: thelēma (N-ANS) -- An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.">will</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of Him who</a> <a href="/greek/3992.htm" title="3992: pempsantos (V-APA-GMS) -- To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth. ">sent</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5048.htm" title="5048: teleiōsō (V-ASA-1S) -- From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.">to finish</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: ergon (N-ANS) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">work.</a> 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.…<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="/john/6-38.htm">John 6:38</a> For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/5-30.htm">John 5:30</a> 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. <a href="/john/17-4.htm">John 17:4</a> I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. <a href="/john/9-4.htm">John 9:4</a> While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. <a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a> 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.” <a href="/luke/22-42.htm">Luke 22:42</a> “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” <a href="/hebrews/10-7.htm">Hebrews 10:7</a> Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” <a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Philippians 2:8</a> And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. <a href="/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28</a> 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.” <a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a> 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.” <a href="/isaiah/53-10.htm">Isaiah 53:10</a> 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. <a href="/psalms/40-7.htm">Psalm 40:7-8</a> 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.” <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1-2</a> 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, <a href="/hebrews/5-8.htm">Hebrews 5:8-9</a> 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 <a href="/romans/15-3.htm">Romans 15:3</a> For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Jesus said to them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.My meat.<a href="/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32</a> But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.<a href="/john/6-33.htm">John 6:33,38</a> For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world… <a href="/job/23-12.htm">Job 23:12</a> 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.<a href="/john/5-36.htm">John 5:36</a> 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.<a href="/john/17-4.htm">John 17:4</a> I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.<a href="/john/19-30.htm">John 19:30</a> When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/13-32.htm">Accomplish</a> <a href="/john/3-29.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/luke/14-30.htm">Finish</a> <a href="/john/4-33.htm">Food</a> <a href="/luke/21-36.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/john/4-31.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/4-32.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/luke/7-9.htm">Obedient</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/luke/24-19.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/5-36.htm">Accomplish</a> <a href="/john/15-11.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/john/5-36.htm">Finish</a> <a href="/john/6-27.htm">Food</a> <a href="/john/6-12.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/john/4-40.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/6-27.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Obedient</a> <a href="/john/6-38.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/john/4-38.htm">Work</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>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 <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a>, 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 <a href="/isaiah/61.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a>, 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 <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>. The notion of finishing the work also foreshadows Jesus' declaration on the cross, "It is finished" (<a href="/john/19-30.htm">John 19:30</a>), signifying the completion of His earthly mission and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about His mission and purpose. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> Followers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and witnessing His ministry. 3. <a href="/topical/s/samaria.htm">Samaria</a> The region where this conversation takes place, significant for its cultural and religious tensions with the Jews. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_samaritan_woman.htm">The Samaritan Woman</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, she is part of the broader account in <a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">John 4</a>, where Jesus reveals His identity and mission. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_will_of_the_father.htm">The Will of the Father</a> Refers to God's divine plan and purpose, which Jesus is committed to fulfilling.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_nourishment.htm">Understanding Spiritual Nourishment</a> 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. <a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_god's_mission.htm">Commitment to God's Mission</a> Jesus' dedication to completing the Father's work serves as a model for Christians to prioritize God's mission in their lives. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_as_worship.htm">Obedience as Worship</a> Doing God's will is an act of worship and devotion, reflecting a heart aligned with God's purposes. <a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_the_gospel.htm">The Urgency of the Gospel</a> Jesus' focus on finishing the work highlights the urgency of sharing the Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_purpose.htm">Living with Purpose</a> Believers are called to live intentionally, aligning their actions with God's will and purpose for their lives.<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/what_does_the_bible_say_about_religion.htm">What is the meaning of spiritual food?</a> <a href="/q/what_was_the_decian_persecution.htm">Are you dedicated to the Lord's work?</a> <a href="/q/are_you_dedicated_to_the_lord's_work.htm">Are you dedicated to the Lord's work?</a> <a href="/q/see_the_new_things_god_is_doing.htm">How are Joshua and Jesus similar?</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>(34) My meat.--Better, My food, as before (<a href="/john/4-8.htm" title="(For his disciples were gone away to the city to buy meat.)">John 4:8</a>).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. <a href="/john/17-4.htm" title="I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.">John 17:4</a>.)This work He speaks of here, and in <a href="/john/4-32.htm" title="But he said to them, I have meat to eat that you know not of.">John 4:32</a>, as actual food, as the supply of the truest needs, and the satisfaction of the truest desires of His nature. (Comp. Note on <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm" title="But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.">Matthew 4:4</a>.) 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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>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 <a href="/john/17-4.htm">John 17:4</a> he says, τελειώσας, "having completed the work thou," etc. This passage points on to that (cf. also <a href="/john/5-30.htm">John 5:30, 6</a>:38; 7:18; 8:50; 9:4; 12:49, 50; 14:31, etc.). <a href="/commentaries/john/4-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. explained, Λέγει (Legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (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 <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. food βρῶμά (brōma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1033.htm">Strong's 1033: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (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 <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_2307.htm">Strong's 2307: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_3992.htm">Strong's 3992: </a> To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth. Me με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. to finish τελειώσω (teleiōsō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <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. work. ἔργον (ergon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/4-34.htm">NT Gospels: John 4:34 Jesus said to them My food (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/4-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 4:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 4:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/4-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 4:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 4:35" /></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>