What was the food that sustained Jesus that He spoke of in John 4:32?
John 4:32
NKJV - 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know.
Clarify
•
Share
•
Report
•
Asked October 20 2016
•
Pat Herring
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Tim Maas
When Jesus said these words, the apostles (as they often did) took Jesus literally, thinking that he was speaking of physical nourishment. However, Jesus (as He also often did) was conveying a deeper spiritual meaning. The apostles had previously left Jesus alone at the central water well of the village that they had just entered (Sychar in Samaria, which was on the west side of the Jordan River, between Galilee to the north and Judea to the south), while the apostles went into the village in order to buy food for Jesus and them to eat, since it was about noon. While they were gone, Jesus had the conversation related in John 4:7-26 with a Samaritan woman whom He had encountered when she came to draw water at the well; who had been surprised that Jesus (as a Jew) was even talking to her (since Jews and Samaritans normally shunned each other); and to whom He had subsequently revealed Himself as the Messiah. When the apostles returned with the food that they had bought, and urged Jesus to eat, He explained (John 4:34-38) that His "food" was the more needful, urgent, and substantive spiritual task of doing the will of His Father by reaching out to those whom He had come to earth to save from sin (whom He compared to a field ready for harvest), as He had done by talking to the woman at the well, and also to those who came to see and hear Him because of the woman's testimony about Him to the people of the town. And, as John's gospel indicates (John 4:40-42), Jesus and the apostles remained two days in the town, and many of the people of the town believed in Him.
Charissa Wade
In John 4:34, Jesus said to them "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His Work". It was not literal food in verse 32 that they were referring to. Our food is to do His will; it nourishes us as Christians when we do what God has asked of us, when we live our lives in a Godly manner. I hope this answers your question!
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible