John 4:34

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 4:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.
John 4:34 — American Standard Version

Context — John 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Jesus saith unto them, etc.] His disciples: my meat is to do the will of him that sent me. The Ethiopic version reads, “of my Father that sent me”, and who is undoubtedly intended. Now as food is pleasant, and delightful, and refreshing to the body of man, so doing the will of God was as delightful and refreshing to the soul of Christ: he took as much pleasure in it, as an hungry man does in eating and drinking. One part of the will of God was to assume human nature; this he had done, and with delight and pleasure: another part of it was to fulfil the law; and this was in his heart, and was his delight, and he was now doing it: and another branch of it was to suffer and die, in the room and…”
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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
“My meat is, &c.--"A Servant here to fulfil a prescribed work, to do and to finish, that is 'meat' to Me; and of this, while you were away, I have had My fill." And of what does He speak thus? Of the condescension, pity, patience, wisdom He had been laying out upon one soul--a very humble woman, and in some respects repulsive too! But He had gained her, and through her was going to gain more, and lay perhaps the foundations of a great work in the country of Samaria; and this filled His whole soul and raised Him above the sense of natural hunger (Mat 4:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My meat ... - Jesus here explains what he said in John 4:32. His great object - the great design of his life - was to do the will of God. He came to that place weary and thirsty, and at the usual time of meals, probably hungry; yet an opportunity of doing good presented itself, and he forgot his fatigue and hunger, and found comfort and joy in doing good - in seeking to save a soul. This one great object absorbed all his powers, and made him forget his weariness and the wants of nature. The mind may be so absorbed in doing the will of God as to forget all other things. Intent on this, we may rise above fatigue, and hardship, and want, and bear all with pleasure in seeing the work of God…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“My meat - That which satisfies the strongest appetite of my soul. John 4:35”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“My meat: Joh 4:32, Joh 6:33, Joh 6:38; Job 23:12; Psa 40:8; Isa 61:1-3; Luk 15:4-6, Luk 15:10, Luk 19:10; Act 20:35 and: Joh 5:36, Joh 17:4, Joh 19:30; Heb 12:2 John 4:35”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification