John 4:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”

NIV: Then his disciples said to each other, 'Could someone have brought him food?'

NASB: So the disciples were saying to one another, 'No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?'

CSB: The disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat? "

NLT: Did someone bring him food while we were gone?' the disciples asked each other.

KJV: Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

NKJV: Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”

The Bible records many instances where Jesus' words are misinterpreted. Usually, this is by someone who is confused about Christ's use of physical symbols for spiritual ideas (John 3:3–4; John 5:10–11). This is not always an accident on Jesus' part, however. Scripture shows Jesus to be a master at asking questions which reveal a great deal about those who answer. Some of Christ's statements are vague, others are provocative. In all cases, how people respond to Jesus' remarks explains more about their intent than anything. Unfortunately for the disciples, they are still early in their travels with Jesus, so they are still easily confused when the conversation turns into a lesson.

One reason for the confusion of the disciples would have been the very territory they were in. Jews usually avoided Samaritans and Samaria. This is because Samaritans were seen as impure and unclean, both in terms of blood and religion. There would have been no reason to think other Jews were around. And, the normal practice was for Jews to refuse to use the same utensils as a Samaritan (John 4:9). If Jesus had been talking about physical food, it would have been a mystery from where or whom He'd gotten it.

John 4:27–45 is an object lesson for the disciples. Jesus has just finished a conversation with a Samaritan woman, while the disciples were in town buying food. As it turns out, this supposedly unclean woman will soon bring back many people to meet Christ, while the disciples have brought no one. Jesus explains that some work to plant spiritual seeds, while others might be the ones collecting the harvest. Both are valuable and we should be ready for opportunities in either case.

Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman who is drawing water from a well. Jesus both confronts her about her sin, and comforts her with the truth of the gospel. In particular, He explains that even though He knows her sins, He still seeks after her, and those like her. The woman returns to town, eventually bringing many people to meet Jesus. The disciples, meanwhile, have to be reminded of the purpose of their mission. Jesus also heals the son of a government official in a way that demonstrates the importance of trusting faith, rather than reliance on spectacle.

John chapter 4 continues the use of contrast. Jesus goes from conversing with an educated, powerful, prestigious man to talking to an outcast, unlearned, self-conscious woman. The combination of this passage, along with Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, makes an important spiritual point. The gospel is for all people, in all places, and all times. Christ can reach each person exactly where he or she needs to be reached.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.