John 4 37

John 4:37 kjv

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

John 4:37 nkjv

For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.'

John 4:37 niv

Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true.

John 4:37 esv

For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.'

John 4:37 nlt

You know the saying, 'One plants and another harvests.' And it's true.

John 4 verses

John 4 37 Meaning

This verse highlights the truth of the divine saying: "One sows and another reaps." It signifies that the labor of some individuals, especially those who laid the spiritual groundwork, directly benefits others who come later and harvest the spiritual fruit. The blessing attached to such labor is immense and ultimately originates from God.

John 4 37 Context

This verse is part of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well, recorded in John chapter 4. Jesus had just directed the conversation from the immediate need for physical water to the spiritual refreshment He offers. He then spoke about the readiness of the spiritual harvest among the people, indicating that His disciples, and by extension all believers, would benefit from the work already sown by others. The immediate context is Jesus pointing out that the Samaritans were spiritually ripe for evangelism, a harvest that would come after the foundational work of earlier prophets and perhaps even Abraham. The broader context of John's Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the giver of living water and eternal life, and this verse connects the labor of spreading this message to a bountiful harvest.

John 4 37 Word analysis

• Verily, verily, (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν, amēn amēn): A solemn affirmation, emphasizing the certainty and truth of what follows. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently uses this double "amen" to underscore important teachings.
• I say (λέγω, lego): To speak or tell.
• unto you, (ὑμῖν, hymin): Plural 'you', addressing the disciples who were with Jesus.
• That (ὅτι, hoti): Introduces a subordinate clause, stating a fact or reason.
• he (ἐκεῖνος, ekeinos): Refers to a specific person, in this context, the one who sows.
• it (ἐκεῖνος, ekeinos): Refers to the "labor" or "work" of sowing.
• is (ἐστίν, estin): A copular verb, connecting the subject and predicate.
• true, (ἀληθής, alēthēs): Genuine, real, conforming to fact.
• and (καί, kai): Conjunction joining phrases or clauses.
• he (ἐκεῖνος, ekeinos): Refers to another specific person, the one who reaps.
• that (ὁ, ho): The definite article, often functioning as a pronoun when referring back.
• reapeth (θερίζων, therizōn): Present participle of therizō (to reap, to harvest), indicating an ongoing or appointed action.
• reapeth (θερίζων, therizōn): Consistent with the previous term, the one engaged in the act of harvesting.
• other (ἄλλος, allos): Different, another.
• laboureth (κοπιάω, kopiāō): To grow weary, toil, work hard, expend effort.
• receiveth (λαμβάνει, lambanei): To take, receive, grasp.
• wages, (μισθός, misthos): Payment for labor, reward.
• and (καί, kai): Conjunction.
• gathereth (συνάγω, synagō): To gather together, collect, assemble.
• fruit (καρπός, karpos): Fruit of plants, but here spiritual fruit; offspring; produce of labor or effort.
• unto (εἰς, eis): Into, unto, to.
• life (ζωή, zōē): Life, specifically eternal life in the context of the Gospel.
• eternal. (αἰώνιος, aiōnios): Belonging to an age, eternal, perpetual.

Group analysis:

• "One sows and another reaps" (ὁ σπείρων ἐκεῖνος καὶ ὁ θερίζων ἄλλος ἐκεῖνος, ho speirōn ekeinos kai ho therizōn allos ekeinos): This contrast highlights the collaborative, multi-generational nature of God's kingdom work. The sowing refers to the initial planting of the Gospel message or spiritual truth, and reaping refers to the bringing in of converts or the manifestation of spiritual growth.
• "is true" (alēthēs estin): This phrase affirms the divine truth and reality of this principle.
• "receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal" (lambanei misthon kai synagei karpon eis zōēn aiōnion): This connects the reward of labor not just to earthly satisfaction but to the ultimate spiritual reward of eternal life and the ingathering of souls into God's kingdom.

John 4 37 Bonus section

This principle of "sowing and reaping" is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating both the processes of spiritual growth and the importance of succession in ministry. The disciples with Jesus at that moment were seeing a ripe harvest among the Samaritans, a people historically resistant to deeper interaction with Judeans. This readiness was the result of earlier spiritual foundations.

The concept also touches upon God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. While God ultimately grants the increase and the fruit, He utilizes human labor, often involving different individuals at different stages. This interconnectedness should foster humility and mutual respect among believers, recognizing that everyone, in their own way and time, contributes to God's eternal purpose. It emphasizes that evangelistic efforts are part of a larger, unfolding divine plan.

John 4 37 Commentary

Jesus is teaching a fundamental principle of spiritual harvest. He affirms the truth that the efforts of those who begin a ministry (sowing) will pave the way for others to see the results (reaping). This is not a system of injustice, but one of divine coordination and shared blessing. The sower and the reaper both play vital roles and will ultimately share in the joy. The laborer who brings in the harvest receives both immediate recognition and reward, but also the profound satisfaction of contributing to eternal life. This speaks to the continuity of God's work across generations, from the prophets of old to the evangelists of Jesus' time and beyond. The ultimate purpose is the ingathering of souls for eternal life, a reward that blesses both the sowers and reapers.