CINXE.COM

John 4:32 But He told them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

<!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 4:32 But He told them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/4-32.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/43_Jhn_04_32.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 4:32 - The Disciples Return and Marvel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But He told them, I have food to eat that you know nothing about." /><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/4-32.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/4-32.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 32</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="/ad12.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/4-31.htm" title="John 4:31">&#9668;</a> John 4:32 <a href="/john/4-33.htm" title="John 4:33">&#9658;</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">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;</a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible">&nbsp;Study&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But he said to them, &#8220I have food to eat that you know nothing about.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Jesus replied, &#8220;I have a kind of food you know nothing about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But he said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you do not know about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He told them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you know nothing about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But He said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat of which you do not know.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you do not know about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But He said to them, &#8220I have food to eat that you do not know about.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But He said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you do not know about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But He said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you do not know about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But He told them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you do not know about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he said, &#8220;I have food to eat that you don&#8217;t know about.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He said, &#8220I have food to eat that you don&#8217t know about.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But Jesus told them, "I have food you don't know anything about." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />Jesus told them, "I have food to eat that you don't know about."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But he answered, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But he told them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He told them, ?I have food to eat that you know nothing about.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But he said to them, I have food to eat that ye know not of.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"I have food to eat," He replied, "of which you do not know."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But he said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you don&#8217;t know about.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and He said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you have not known.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he said to them, 'I have food to eat that ye have not known.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he said to them, I have food to eat which ye know not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he said to them: I have meat to eat, which you know not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But he said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat which you do not know.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But he said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat of which you do not know.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But he said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat that you do not know about.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But he said to them, I have food to eat, of which you do not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But he said to them, &#8220;I have food to eat of which you do not know.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But he said to them: I have food to eat of which you know not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />He said to them, <FR>I have meat to eat, which you know not.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But he said to them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but he answered them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"I have food to eat," He replied, "of which you do not know."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But He said to them, <FR>"I have food to eat that ye know not of."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But He said unto them, <FR>I have food to eat, which ye know not of.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/4-32.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1149" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">The Disciples Return and Marvel</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">31</span>Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, &#8220;Rabbi, eat something.&#8221; <span class="reftext">32</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <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/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">He told</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.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: Eg&#333; (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">&#8220;I</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: ech&#333; (V-PIA-1S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">have</a> <a href="/greek/1035.htm" title="1035: br&#333;sin (N-AFS) -- (a) abstr: eating, (b) food, a meal, (c) rust. From the base of bibrosko; eating; by extension food.">food</a> <a href="/greek/5315.htm" title="5315: phagein (V-ANA) -- A primary verb; to eat.">to eat</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: h&#275;n (RelPro-AFS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">that</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/1492.htm" title="1492: oidate (V-RIA-2P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">know</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">nothing about.&#8221; </a> </span> <span class="reftext">33</span>So the disciples asked one another, &#8220;Could someone have brought Him food?&#8221;&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, &#8220;It is written: &#8216;Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.&#8217;&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a></span><br />He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-27.htm">John 6:27</a></span><br />Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a></span><br />Jesus answered, &#8220;I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-51.htm">John 6:51</a></span><br />I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25</a></span><br />Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-12.htm">Job 23:12</a></span><br />I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-10.htm">Psalm 19:10</a></span><br />They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-103.htm">Psalm 119:103</a></span><br />How sweet are Your words to my taste&#8212;sweeter than honey in my mouth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Isaiah 55:2</a></span><br />Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-16.htm">Jeremiah 15:16</a></span><br />Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart&#8217;s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-4.htm">John 17:4</a></span><br />I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-30.htm">John 5:30</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-29.htm">John 8:29</a></span><br />He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.&#8221;</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But he said to them, I have meat to eat that you know not of.</p><p class="hdg">I have.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34</a></b></br> Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/23-12.htm">Job 23:12</a></b></br> Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary <i>food</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/63-5.htm">Psalm 63:5</a></b></br> My soul shall be satisfied as <i>with</i> marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise <i>thee</i> with joyful lips:</p><p class="hdg">that.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-14.htm">Psalm 25:14</a></b></br> The secret of the LORD <i>is</i> with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-10.htm">Proverbs 14:10</a></b></br> The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/2-17.htm">Revelation 2:17</a></b></br> He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth <i>it</i>.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/4-31.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/john/4-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/john/4-8.htm">Meat</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/4-33.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/john/4-33.htm">Food</a> <a href="/john/4-34.htm">Meat</a><div class="vheading2">John 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/4-1.htm">Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/4-27.htm">His disciples marvel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/4-31.htm">He declares to them his zeal for God's glory.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/4-39.htm">Many Samaritans believe on him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/4-43.htm">He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum.</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>But He told them</b><br>In this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples. The context is His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, which occurs in the region of Samaria. This interaction is significant because Jews typically avoided Samaritans due to longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Jesus' willingness to engage with the Samaritans demonstrates His mission to reach all people, transcending cultural barriers. The phrase indicates a direct communication from Jesus, emphasizing His role as a teacher and leader.<p><b>&#8220;I have food to eat</b><br>Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of food to convey a spiritual truth. In the Bible, food often symbolizes sustenance and satisfaction. Jesus is referring to a type of nourishment that goes beyond physical sustenance. This aligns with other scriptural references where spiritual fulfillment is likened to food, such as in <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a>, where Jesus says, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." The "food" Jesus speaks of is His commitment to doing the will of the Father, which provides Him with spiritual strength and satisfaction.<p><b>that you know nothing about.&#8221;</b><br>This phrase highlights the disciples' lack of understanding regarding spiritual matters at this point in their journey with Jesus. It underscores a common theme in the Gospels where Jesus' followers often misunderstand His teachings, which are frequently spiritual in nature rather than literal. This statement invites the disciples to seek deeper understanding and insight into Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom. It also foreshadows the greater revelation and comprehension they will gain after the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who are concerned about His physical nourishment and are puzzled by His statement.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samaritan_woman.htm">Samaritan Woman</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, her encounter with Jesus sets the context for this teaching moment.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sychar.htm">Sychar</a></b><br>The town in Samaria where this event takes place, near Jacob's well.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob's_well.htm">Jacob's Well</a></b><br>A significant historical and spiritual site where Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman and later to His disciples.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_nourishment_over_physical_needs.htm">Spiritual Nourishment Over Physical Needs</a></b><br>Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual sustenance over physical food. Believers are encouraged to prioritize their spiritual growth and relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_will.htm">Understanding God's Will</a></b><br>Jesus' "food" is to do the will of the Father. Christians are called to seek and fulfill God's will in their lives, finding satisfaction and purpose in His work.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/misunderstanding_spiritual_truths.htm">Misunderstanding Spiritual Truths</a></b><br>The disciples' confusion highlights how easy it is to misunderstand spiritual truths. Believers should seek discernment and wisdom through prayer and study of the Scriptures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_obedience.htm">The Role of Obedience</a></b><br>Obedience to God's will is a source of spiritual nourishment. Engaging in acts of service and sharing the Gospel can be fulfilling and sustaining.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Jesus teaches an eternal perspective, reminding believers to focus on what has lasting value rather than temporary, worldly concerns.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_take_on_moderation.htm">What is the Bible's view on moderation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_locusts_mean_in_joel.htm">What do locusts symbolize in the Book of Joel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_'nothing'_idols_align_with_history.htm">In 1 Corinthians 8:4, if idols are 'nothing,' how does this align with extensive archaeological and historical evidence of pervasive idol worship in the ancient world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</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>(32) <span class= "bld">I have meat to eat that ye know not of.</span>--The emphasis is on the pronouns, which are opposed to each other. "Meat" is better rendered <span class= "ital">food</span> (see Note on <a href="/john/4-8.htm" title="(For his disciples were gone away to the city to buy meat.)">John 4:8</a>). The Greek word here is the same as in <a href="/john/6-27.htm" title="Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him has God the Father sealed.">John 6:27</a>; <a href="/john/6-55.htm" title="For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.">John 6:55</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 32.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But he saith to them, I have food to eat that ye know not;</span> of which you are ignorant, but which you may come to know by and by. <span class="greek">&#x392;&#x3c1;&#x1ff6;&#x3c3;&#x3b9;&#x3bd;</span> and <span class="greek">&#x3b2;&#x3c1;&#x1ff6;&#x3bc;&#x3b1;</span> are both used. The first denotes, strictly speaking, the act of eating; and the second the material for food; but they are, in Greek literature, generally used almost interchangeably. There were Divine desires and sacred satisfactions which discriminated the Lord's consciousness from that of his disciples. Thoma refers to the mighty fasts of the great lawgiver and prophet as the literary antecedent of this significant event; but this superiority to food is true of every great soul. The men of the spirit are consumed with desires which dwarf the desires of the flesh, and they forget to eat their bread. Nor can we forget that the synoptic narrative places the forty dave' fast in this very epoch of Christ's life, chronologically speaking. (See note at end of this chapter.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/4-32.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#8050;</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He told</span><br /><span class="grk">&#949;&#7990;&#960;&#949;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#945;&#8016;&#964;&#959;&#8150;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(autois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">&#8220;I</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7960;&#947;&#8060;</span> <span class="translit">(Eg&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7956;&#967;&#969;</span> <span class="translit">(ech&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food</span><br /><span class="grk">&#946;&#961;&#8182;&#963;&#953;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(br&#333;sin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1035.htm">Strong's 1035: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) abstr: eating, (b) food, a meal, (c) rust. From the base of bibrosko; eating; by extension food.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to eat</span><br /><span class="grk">&#966;&#945;&#947;&#949;&#8150;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(phagein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; to eat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7971;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#275;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8017;&#956;&#949;&#8150;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(hymeis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#7988;&#948;&#945;&#964;&#949;</span> <span class="translit">(oidate)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing [about].&#8221;</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8016;&#954;</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/4-32.htm">John 4:32 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/4-32.htm">NT Gospels: John 4:32 But he said to them I have (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/4-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 4:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 4:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/4-33.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 4:33"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 4:33" /></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>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10