John 4:31 Study Bible: In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, "Rabbi, eat."

◄ John 4:31 ►

Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, "Rabbi, eat something."

Meanwhile
This word sets the scene and indicates a transition in the narrative. It suggests that while one event was occurring, another was taking place simultaneously. In the context of John 4, this "meanwhile" connects the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman with the return of the disciples. It highlights the dual focus of the narrative: Jesus' personal ministry to the woman and His teaching moment with the disciples. This duality reflects the broader mission of Jesus, reaching both individuals and groups.

the disciples
The disciples were the chosen followers of Jesus, who were being trained to carry on His mission. In the historical context, they were ordinary men called to an extraordinary purpose. Their presence in this narrative underscores their role as learners and future leaders of the early Church. The disciples often represent the believer's journey from misunderstanding to deeper spiritual insight.

urged Him
The Greek word used here can imply a strong request or even a plea. The disciples' urging reflects their concern for Jesus' physical well-being, showing their care and perhaps their misunderstanding of His priorities. This moment is a teaching opportunity for Jesus to reveal deeper spiritual truths, emphasizing the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical needs.

“Rabbi, eat something.”
"Rabbi" is a term of respect, acknowledging Jesus as a teacher. The disciples' request for Jesus to eat demonstrates their focus on physical sustenance, which is a natural human concern. However, this sets the stage for Jesus to introduce a spiritual lesson. The juxtaposition of physical hunger with spiritual fulfillment is a recurring theme in the Gospels, pointing to the deeper nourishment found in doing God's will.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus (Rabbi)
The central figure in this passage, referred to as "Rabbi" by His disciples, indicating His role as a teacher and leader.

2. The Disciples
Followers of Jesus who are concerned about His physical well-being and urge Him to eat.

3. Samaria
The region where this event takes place, specifically near the town of Sychar, highlighting the cultural and religious tensions between Jews and Samaritans.

4. The Samaritan Woman
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, her encounter with Jesus just prior is crucial to understanding the context.

5. The Well
The setting of the preceding conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, symbolizing spiritual nourishment and life.

Teaching Points

Spiritual Nourishment Over Physical Needs
Jesus' response to the disciples' concern about eating underscores the priority of spiritual over physical sustenance. Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual fulfillment in Christ, who provides eternal nourishment.

Understanding Jesus' Mission
The disciples' focus on physical food contrasts with Jesus' mission to do the will of the Father. Christians are called to align their priorities with God's purposes, seeking His kingdom first.

Cultural and Spiritual Barriers
The setting in Samaria and the interaction with the Samaritan woman illustrate breaking down cultural and spiritual barriers. Believers are challenged to reach out beyond their comfort zones to share the gospel.

The Role of Discipleship
The disciples' concern for Jesus' well-being reflects their growing understanding of their role in His ministry. Christians are reminded of the importance of caring for one another within the body of Christ.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jesus' response to the disciples' concern about eating challenge our understanding of physical versus spiritual needs?

2. In what ways can we prioritize spiritual nourishment in our daily lives, as Jesus exemplified in this passage?

3. How does the setting in Samaria and the interaction with the Samaritan woman inform our approach to sharing the gospel across cultural boundaries?

4. What can we learn from the disciples' concern for Jesus about the importance of community and support within the church?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Matthew 4:4 and John 6:35, deepen our understanding of Jesus as the source of spiritual life and sustenance?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Matthew 4:4
Jesus emphasizes that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God, highlighting the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance.

John 6:35
Jesus declares Himself the "bread of life," reinforcing the idea that spiritual fulfillment comes through Him.

Philippians 4:19
Paul speaks of God supplying all needs according to His riches in glory, which can be seen as a spiritual parallel to the disciples' concern for Jesus' physical needs.

Sermons

Chance in the Divine Economy	J. Fawcett, M. A.	John 4:1-42
Characteristics of Christ Displayed in This Conversation	Bp. Ryle.	John 4:1-42
Christ Abolishing Prejudices	Lange.	John 4:1-42
Christ and the Samaritans	H. Burton, M. A.	John 4:1-42
Christ and the Woman	T. Whitelaw, D. D.	John 4:1-42
Christ and the Woman of Samaria	Bp. Ryle.	John 4:1-42
Christ and the Woman of Samaria	Caleb Morris.	John 4:1-42
Christ At Jacob's Well	Carl Keogh, D. D.	John 4:1-42
Christ Driven Away	Jeremiah Dyke.	John 4:1-42
Christ in His Human Weakness and Divine Exaltation	Lange.	John 4:1-42
Christ's Gentleness with the Fallen	J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.	John 4:1-42
Christ's Request	Bp. Ryle.	John 4:1-42
Commendable Enthusiasm	Dr. Guthrie.	John 4:1-42
Connection Between the Conversations with the Woman of Samaria and with Nicodemus	Bp. Westcott.	John 4:1-42
He Left Judaea	W. H. Dixon., Canon Westcott.	John 4:1-42
In the Path of Christ	J. Trapp.	John 4:1-42
Influence After Death	H. W. Beecher.	John 4:1-42
Its History	Bp. Ryle.	John 4:1-42
Jacob's Well a Type	L. R. Bosanquet.	John 4:1-42
Jacob's Welt an Emblem of the Sanctuary	R. H. Lovell.	John 4:1-42
Jesus At the Well	S. S. Times	John 4:1-42
Jesus At the Well	Sermons by the Monday Club	John 4:1-42
Jesus At the Well of Sychar	James G. Vose.	John 4:1-42
Jesus Found At the Well		John 4:1-42
Jesus Sitting on the Well	C. H. Spurgeon	John 4:1-42
No Sympathy Without Suffering	Boswell.	John 4:1-42
Our Attitude Towards Samaria	W. Hawkins.	John 4:1-42
Providence Shown in Conversions	J. Flavel.	John 4:1-42
Sat Thus on the Well	F. Godet, D. D.	John 4:1-42
Soul-Winning Tact	Bible Society Report	John 4:1-42
Subsidiary Points	H. J. Van Dyke, D. D.	John 4:1-42
Suffering Begets Sympathy	J. Trapp.	John 4:1-42
Tact and Kindness Will Win Souls		John 4:1-42
The Appropriateness of the Place for the Purpose	J. R. Macduff, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Conference	J. R. Macduff, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Drawer of Water	J. R. Macduff; D. D.	John 4:1-42
The First Visit to Samaria	G. D. Boardman, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Interior of the Well	Lieut. S. Anderson, R. E.	John 4:1-42
The Jewish Treatment of Women	S. S. Times	John 4:1-42
The Journey to Samaria	A. Beith, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Locality	F. I. Dunwell, B. A.	John 4:1-42
The Lost One Met and Saved	J. Gill.	John 4:1-42
The Model Teacher	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Needs Be	J. Macduff, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Occasion of the Journey	W. Arnot, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Ordinances Necessary	Dean Goulburn.	John 4:1-42
The Parcel of Ground that Jacob Gave to His Son Joseph	A. Beith, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Pedagogy or Rudimentary Teaching of Jesus	C. E. Luthardt, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Real Significance of the Woman's Coming to Christ	J. R. Macduff, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Realness of the Scene	Dean Stanley.	John 4:1-42
The Retreat of Jesus		John 4:1-42
The Revolution Christ Effected in the Treatment of Women	J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Rite of Baptism	T. Whitelaw, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Self-Abnegation of Christ	C. E. Luthardt, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Sixth Hour	Bp. Ryle.	John 4:1-42
The Thirsting Saviour	A. Warrack, M. A.	John 4:1-42
The Three Baptisms	F. Godet, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Weary Pilgrim	J. R. Macduff, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Woman of Samaria	J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.	John 4:1-42
The Woman of Samaria	W. Jay.	John 4:1-42
Topography of Jacob's Well and Neighbourhood	C. Geikie, D. D.	John 4:1-42
Unquenchable Enthusiasm	D. L. Moody.	John 4:1-42
Utilizing Disagreeable Necessities	A. F. Muir, M. A.	John 4:1-42
Value of a Well in the East	H. W. Beecher.	John 4:1-42
Weariness and Work	W. Poole Balfern.	John 4:1-42
Why Christ Did not Personally Baptize		John 4:1-42
Why Religious Ordinances are Sometimes Unprofitable	D. Guthrie, D. D.	John 4:1-42
A Fourfold Theme	D. Thomas, D. D.	John 4:27-42
Christ's Treatment of the Waifs and Strays	J. Cynddylan Jones.	John 4:27-42
Gospel Work in Sychar	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	John 4:27-42
Jewish Prejudice Against Women	F. Godet, D. D.	John 4:27-42
Moments of Silence	J. R. Macduff, D. D.	John 4:27-42
Sowing and Reaping	Sunday School Times	John 4:27-42
Sowing and Reaping	H. C. McCook, D. D.	John 4:27-42
Sowing and Reaping	Sermons by the Monday Club	John 4:27-42
The Mission of the Woman	Bp. Ryle.	John 4:27-42
The Reticence of the Disciples	S. S. Times	John 4:27-42
The Samaritan Woman and Her Mission	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 4:27-42
The Seclusion of Oriental Women	S. S. Times	John 4:27-42
The Test of Friendship	H. C. Trumbull, D. D.	John 4:27-42
The Physical and Spiritual Food of Man	B. Thomas	John 4:31-34

People

Jacob, Jesus, John, Joseph

Places

Cana, Capernaum, Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Sychar

Topics

Asking, Besought, Disciples, Eat, Master, Mean, Meanwhile, Prayed, Rabbi, Saying, Taking, Urged, Urging

Dictionary of Bible Themes

John 4:31

5341 hunger
7420 Rabbi

Library

August 23 Morning
I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.--JER. 31:3. We are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.--God . . . hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 18 Evening
En-hakkore. (Or, The well of him that cried.)--JUDG. 15:19. If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.--If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive. Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 29 Morning
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.--I JOHN 3:16. The love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.--Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.--Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.--Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

May 24 Morning
Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.--EPH. 4:30. The love of the Spirit.--The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.--In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 16 Morning
The Lord pondereth the hearts.--PROV. 21:2. The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.--The Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy.--Thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.--There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 1 Morning
Whom having not seen, ye love.--I PET. 1:8. We walk by faith, not by sight.--We love him, because he first loved us.--And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.--In whom ye trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.--God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 1 Morning
The fruit of the Spirit is love.--GAL. 5:22. God is love: and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.--The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.--Unto you . . . which believe he is precious.--We love him, because he first loved us.--The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

April 17 Evening
Draw me, we will run after thee.--SONG 1:4. I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.--I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.--I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.--Behold the Lamb of God.--As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 6 Morning
He will rest in his love.--ZEPH. 3:17. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you.--We love him, because he first loved us.--You . . . hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 5 Morning
We have known and believed the love that God hath to us.--I JOHN 4:16. God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

November 22 Morning
Praying in the Holy Ghost.--JUDE 20. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.--We . . . have access by one Spirit unto the Father. O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. The Spirit . . . helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

October 17 Evening
Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.--MATT. 6:13. The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty: thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. The Lord is . . . great in power.--If God be for us, who can be against us?--Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and he will deliver us.--My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.--Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

November 8 Evening
The children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.--I KGS. 20:27. Thus saith the Lord, because the Syrians have said, the Lord is a God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys; therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. And they pitched one over against the other seven days; and so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

August 30 Morning
The king held out . . . the golden sceptre. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.--ESTH. 5:2. It shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

May 13 Morning
Pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.--I TIM. 2:8. The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.--Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.--When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any. Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 23 Evening
Who knoweth the power of thine anger?--PSA. 90:11. From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?--The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.--Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.--Christ hath redeemed …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 25 Morning
The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.--TIT. 3:4. I have loved thee with an everlasting love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 1. "A Well of Water Springing Up" (John iv. 14).
"A well of water springing up" (John iv. 14). In the life overflowing in service for others, we find the deep fountain of life running over the spring and finding vent in rivers of living water that go out to bless and save the world around us. It is beautiful to notice that as the blessing grows unselfish it grows larger. The water in the heart is only a well, but when reaching out to the needs of others it is not only a river, but a delta of many rivers overflowing in majestic blessing. This overflowing …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Gift and the Giver
'Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.'--JOHN iv. 10. This Gospel has two characteristics seldom found together: deep thought and vivid character-drawing. Nothing can be more clear-cut and dramatic than the scene in the chapter before us. There is not a word of description of this Samaritan woman. She paints herself, and it is not a beautiful …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Springing Fountain
'The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.'--JOHN iv. 14. There are two kinds of wells, one a simple reservoir, another containing the waters of a spring. It is the latter kind which is spoken about here, as is clear not only from the meaning of the word in the Greek, but also from the description of it as 'springing up.' That suggests at once the activity of a fountain. A fountain is the emblem of motion, not of rest. Its motion is derived …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Second Miracle
'This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He was come out of Judaea into Galilee.'--JOHN iv. 54. The Evangelist evidently intends us to connect together the two miracles in Cana. His object may, possibly, be mainly chronological, and to mark the epochs in our Lord's ministry. But we cannot fail to see how remarkably these two miracles are contrasted. The one takes place at a wedding, a homely scene of rural festivity and gladness. But life has deeper things in it than gladness, and a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Wearied Christ
'Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well.... He said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.'--JOHN iv. 6,32. Two pictures result from these two verses, each striking in itself, and gaining additional emphasis by the contrast. It was during a long hot day's march that the tired band of pedestrians turned into the fertile valley. There, whilst the disciples went into the little hill-village to purchase, if they could, some food from the despised inhabitants, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Give Me to Drink'
'... Jesus saith unto her, Give Me to drink.... Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.'--JOHN iv. 7, 26. This Evangelist very significantly sets side by side our Lord's conversations with Nicodemus and with the woman of Samaria. The persons are very different: the one a learned Rabbi of reputation, influence, and large theological knowledge of the then fashionable kind; the other an alien woman, poor--for she had to do this menial task of water-drawing in the heat of the day--and of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

August the Third Changing Asking into Thirsting
"Go, call thy husband!" --JOHN iv. 16-30. I never supposed that the transformation would begin here. I thought that there were some words which would remain unspoken. But here our Master speaks a word which only deepens the weariness of the woman, and irritates the sore of her galling yoke. What is He doing? He is seeking to change the sense of wretchedness into the sense of sin! He is seeking to change weariness into desire! He wants to make the woman thirst! And so He puts His finger upon …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

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