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Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

John 4:31

In the mean while Between the departure of the women and the arrival of her fellow-townsmen.

Master, eat Better, Rabbi, eat. Here and in John 9:2 and John 11:8 our translators have rather regrettably turned -Rabbi" into -Master," (comp. Matthew 26:25; Matthew 26:49; Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45); while -Rabbi" is retained John 1:38; John 1:49; John 3:2; John 3:26; John 6:25 (comp. Matthew 23:7-8). Apparently their principle was that wherever a disciple addresses Christ, -Rabbi" is to be translated -Master;" in other cases -Rabbi" is to be retained; thus obscuring the view which the disciples took of their own relation to Jesus. He was their Rabbi.

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See also John 4:31 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 31. _MASTER, EAT._] They knew that he was greatly spent both with hunger and fatigue....

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    PRAYED HIM - Asked him....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 4 _ 1. He Must Needs Pass Through Samaria. (John 4:1 .)_ 2. At Sychar's Well; Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. (John 4:6 .) 3. The Woman's Witness and the Believing Samaritans. (John 4:27 .)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE RETURN OF THE DISCIPLES. The disciples return with the food they have bought. They are surprised that Jesus is talking with a woman (_cf. Pirke Aboth,_ i. 5, Prolong not discourse with a woman). T...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    HIS DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, EAT. While the woman was gone, spreading the tidings, this episode occurs with the disciples. They had returned with food, which they now pressed upon the Ma...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Meanwhile his disciples asked him: "Rabbi! Eat something! have food, he said to them, "of which you do not know." "Surely, his disciples kept saying to each other, "someone can't have given him someth...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS (John 4:1-9)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    PRAYED. were asking. Greek. _erotao._ App-134. MASTER. Greek. _Rabbi._ App-98....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE WORK AMONG SAMARITANS The whole section is peculiar to S. John, and is evidently the narrative of an eyewitness: of the Synoptists S. Luke alone, the writer of ‘the Universal Gospel,’ mentions any...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘΝ ΤΩ͂Ι ΜΕΤ. Between her departure and their arrival. ἨΡΏΤΩΝ. WERE BESEECHING HIM (John 4:40; John 4:47): they had left him exhausted with the journey (John 4:6), and they urge, not their own wonder ...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    5–42. Doubt has been thrown on this narrative in four different ways. (1) On a _priori_ grounds. How could the Samaritans, who rejected the prophetical books, and were such bitter enemies of the Jews,...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    VER 31. IN THE MEAN WHILE HIS DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, EAT. 32. BUT HE SAID TO THEM, I HAVE MEAT TO EAT THAT YOU KNOW NOT OF. 33. THEREFORE SAID THE DISCIPLES ONE TO ANOTHER, HAS ANY MAN...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THIS CAN BE THE CHRIST BECAUSE HE KNOWS ALL THINGS -- JOHN 4:27-38:_ Jesus knew all about this woman. He said to her, "Go, call thy husband, and come hither." (John 4:16) Her response was, "I have no...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΈΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΤΑΞΎ (G1722; G3361) тем временем; то есть до того, как прибыли самаряне, жители селения (Bernard). Очередной этап развития событий, ΉΡΏΤΩΝ _impf. ind. act. от_ ΕΡΩΤΆΩ (G2065) задавать вопросы...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    IN THE MEAN WHILE HIS DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM,— While these things were doing, the disciples set the meat which they had bought, before their Master; but he regarded it not, though he then stood much in...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    FIELDS WHITE UNTO HARVEST _Text 4:31-38_ 31 In the meanwhile the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not. 33 The disciples theref...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN John 4:31-42 We begin with the usual Analysis of the passage which is to be before us. In it we see:— "In the meanwhile His disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. IN THE MEANWHILE (DURING HER ABSENCE) HIS DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, EAT. Fatigue and thirst we saw He felt; here is rev...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    19 The ancient controversy between Jerusalem and Samaria was most bitter in connection with the proper place of worship. Of course Jerusalem was right and Samaria was wrong, for God had chosen the cit...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SAMARITAN WOMAN 1-42. Christ in Samaria. The ministry in Samaria is recorded because it is the author's design to exhibit Christ as the Saviour, not only of Israel, but of the world (John 4:42)....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    JOHN TELLS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS GOSPEL OF JOHN _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 4 JESUS TALKS TO A WOMAN IN *SAMARIA 4:1-26 V1 The *Pharisees heard that Jesus was *baptising more people than John the...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    MASTER. — The Hebrew word Rabbi has been preserved in the earlier passages (John 1:38; John 1:49; John 3:2; John 3:26), and will meet us again in...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 11 THE SECOND SIGN IN GALILEE. “In the mean while the disciples prayed Him, saying, Rabbi, eat. But He said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not. The disciples therefore said one to...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    But meanwhile ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, between the woman's leaving the well and the men's return to it, the disciples, having brought the purchased food, and observing that notwithstanding His previous fatigue J...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE REWARDS OF SERVICE John 4:27-38 As soon as Jesus opens the living spring within our hearts, we abandon our water pots. When we are saved, we must hasten with the tidings to those with whom we ha...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The words, "He must needs pass through Samaria" are arresting. The final explanation must be found in His dealing with the woman of Samaria. In itself, it is a radiant revelation of His method as He l...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Ver 1. This knowledge which the Pharisees had of our Saviour's making so many disciples, and baptizing such members, could not prevail upon them to follow him for their salvation; otherwise Christ wou...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    CHAPTER 10 JESUS PREACHES TO THE SAMARITAN WOMAN John 4:1-41. _“When our Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John (indeed, Jesus himself did not...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _In the mean while, the disciples prayed him, saying: Master, eat._ 32. _But he said unto them, I have meat to eat which ye know not._ ” John 4:31 (after the interruption of John 4:28-29), is connec...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    ADDITIONAL NOTES BY THE AMERICAN EDITOR. XXI. The following points in John 4:27-38 may be noticed: 1. The impression produced upon the mind of the woman was that which came from the wonderful knowle...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    SECOND SECTION: 4:1-42. JESUS IN SAMARIA. The first phase of the public ministry of Jesus is ended. Unbelief on the part of the masses, faith on the part of a few, public attention greatly aroused, su...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    And he must needs go through Samaria. (5) Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. (6) Now Jacob's well was there. J...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The opening verses (John 1:1-18) introduce the most glorious subject which God Himself ever gave in employing the pen of man; not only the most glorious in point of theme, but in the profoundest point...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    And now Jesus, being driven away by the jealousy of the Jews, begins His ministry outside that people, while still acknowledging their true position in the dealings of God. He goes away into Galilee;...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IN THE MEAN WHILE,.... Whilst the woman was gone into the city, and had acquainted the inhabitants, that such a wonderful person was at Jacob's well, and invited them to come and see him: HIS DISCIPL...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. Ver. 31. _Master, eat_] _Animantis cuiusque vita in fuga est, _ and must be repaired by nutrition, in a natural course. Only we must e...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _In the mean while_ Before the people came; _his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat_ They set the meat, which they had brought, before him, and requested him to partake of it, knowing how much...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The harvest in the kingdom of God:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    IN THE MEAN WHILE HIS DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM, SAYING, MASTER, EAT....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    A SAMARITAN WOMAN GIVEN THE WATER OF LIFE (vs.1-26) The Lord now leaves Judea because He knew the Pharisees' thoughts as to His baptizing more disciples than John. Not that the Lord Himself did the...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    27-42 The disciples wondered that Christ talked thus with a Samaritan. Yet they knew it was for some good reason, and for some good end. Thus when particular difficulties occur in the word and provid...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    While the woman was fetching her citizens to come and see and hear Christ, his disciples, knowing that he must be weary and hungry with his journey, and having brought him some food out of the city, w...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian On Fasting (He) who was wont to profess "food" to be, not that which His disciples had supposed, but "the thorough doing of the Father's work; "[105]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    John 4:31 G1161 In G1722 meantime G3342 disciples G3101 urged G2065 (G5707) Him G846 saying G3004 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Meanwhile the disciples begged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have meat to eat that you do not know about.” The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has any man brought him a...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (JOHN 4:4). In this story of the Samaritan woman in John 4:4 Jesus depicts Himself as the Gift of God Who can give men living water (John 4:10), and can thus give men a spring of w...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    John 4:31. IN THE MEAN WHILE THE DISCIPLES PRAYED HIM, SAYING, RABBI, EAT. Remembering His exhaustion with the journey (John 4:6), they begged Him thus to take advantage of this interval of rest....

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    The general object aimed at in the relation of the story of Nicodemus in chap. 3 is pursued in the account given us in this section of the interview of Jesus, first with the Samaritan woman, and then...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    IN THE MEANWHILE (εν τω μεταξυ). Supply καιρο or χρονο. See το μεταξυ Σαββατον, "the next Sabbath" (Acts 13:42) and εν τω μεταξυ (Luke 8:1). Μεταξυ means between.PRAYED HIM (ηρωτων αυτον). Imperfe...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), He left Judaea, and de...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), He left Judaea, and d...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), he left Judaea, and d...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), He left Judaea, and d...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), he left Judaea, and d...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus and the Samaritan woman. The indwelling Spirit. The nobleman's son healed. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Holy Spirit, John the Baptist, Pharisees, Jacob, Joseph, woman of Samaria, her husband, n...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    John 4:1. _When therefore the Lord knew how the pharisees,_ chiefly priests, and many of them principal members of the council, _had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John._ The p...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    I HAVE FOOD TO EAT THAT YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. "Man cannot live on bread alone." After his baptism and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus went without food forty days during the Temptation. Hun...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _When therefore the Lord knew_ THE FIRST VISIT TO SAMARIA I. THE STORY ITSELF. 1. The memorable halt (John 4:1). 2. The surprising request (John 4:7). 3. The opened vista (John 4:10). 4.

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _And upon this_ SOWING AND REAPING I. WITH A SOLITARY PUPIL. 1. Face-to-face work (John 4:27, John 1:42, John 21:16; Acts 3:4;...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    1-54 CHAPTER 4 _When therefore Jesus knew_, &c.... _than John_, that is, than John _had_ made and baptized, says S. Augustine (lib. 2 _, de cons. Evang., c._ 18), for John was now in prison. For thes...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _In the meanwhile_, &c. "This," says S. Chrysostom, "they did out of love and zeal for their Master, seeing Him wearied with the heat and the journey." At the same time they were thinking about themse...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _EXPLANATORY AND CRITICAL NOTES_ John 4:27. MARVELLED.—The disciples evidently thought that Jesus would conduct Himself outwardly as did the Jewish rabbis. Those teachers said: “Do not prolong conver...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION JOHN 4:1 7. _The ministry and revelation of the Lord to those beyond the strict compass of the theocracy. _This passage describes an incident of consummate interest, and records a specime...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now when the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized none, but his disciples,) (John 4:1) Now this can mean one of t...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Acts 16:30; Genesis 24:33...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    MISSIONS IN THE GOSPELS John 4:28 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The fourth chapter of John contains one of the most marvelous stories of the Word of God. It is beyond doubt a revelation of the heart of God to...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    In the meantime — Before the people came....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, The fit and seasonable motion which our Saviour's disciples make to him; MASTER, EAT. Learn from thence, That though. person's chief care should be for his own soul, and for improving al...

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