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John 4:32

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 4:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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

Context — John 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29Come, see a man, who told me all things that [ever] I did: can this be the Christ?
30They went out of the city, and were coming to him.
31In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat.
32But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not.
33The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him [aught] to eat?
34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.
35Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest.
← John 4:31John 4:33 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he said unto them, etc.] That is, “Jesus”, as the Persic, or the Lord Jesus, as the Ethiopic versions express it: I have meat to eat that ye know not of: meaning the conversion of the Samaritan woman, and of other Samaritans, who were flocking in great numbers to him, which he knew, though his disciples did not; and the harvest of souls he had a prospect of, (see <430435>John 4:35), was as meat unto him, delightful and refreshing; and his mind and thoughts were so taken up with these things, that he had no inclination to any corporeal food.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“meat ye know not of--What spirituality of mind! "I have been eating all the while, and such food as ye dream not of." What can that be? they ask each other; have any supplies been brought Him in our absence? He knows what they are saying though He hears it not.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I have meat to eat - See John 4:34. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:32-34 While Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, the disciples were gone buying food (4:8); now they urged Jesus to eat. Jesus continued to speak symbolically, but they did not understand him (4:33). Later, when the disciples received the Spirit, they understood (2:22). Jesus received his nourishment from doing what his Father told him to do (see 5:30; 6:38; 7:18; 8:50; 9:4; 10:37-38; 12:49-50).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I have: Joh 4:34; Job 23:12; Psa 63:5, Psa 119:103; Pro 18:20; Isa 53:11; Jer 15:16; Act 20:35 that: Psa 25:14; Pro 14:10; Rev 2:17 John 4:33”
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Related study paths

Read John 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification