The Meaning of John 4:37 Explained

John 4:37

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

YLT: for in this the saying is the true one, that one is the sower and another the reaper.

Darby: For in this is verified the true saying, It is one who sows and another who reaps.

ASV: For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

Discover John 4:37

CONTEXT: What is the Context of John 4:37?

MEANING: What does John 4:37 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in John 4:37 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in John 4:37?

What is the context of John 4:37?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does John 4:37 Mean?

Context Summary

John 4:27-38 - The Rewards Of Service

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 have sinned. First find Christ for yourself; then say, "Come and see." He who knows us with an unchallengeable knowledge cannot be other than the Christ.

The disciples were naturally astonished when they came upon this interview. They might have asked the woman what she was seeking, and the Master why He was talking to her. But they were silent; the awe of God was upon them. Their natural care for their beloved leader led them to press on Him the viands they had purchased, but they were destined to learn that the soul may be nourished in obeying the will of God. The whiteness of the harvest appeared in the crowds that were coming down the valley; but at harvest time we are sometimes apt to forget the sower who passed home without seeing the result of his labor. That is not the divine method. The sower is rewarded for his share, as the reaper for his-they rejoice together. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 4

¹ Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her
²⁷ His disciples marvel
³¹ He declares to them his zeal for God's glory
³⁹ Many Samaritans believe on him
⁴³ He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum

Greek Commentary for John 4:37

For herein [εν γαρ τουτωι]
In this relation between the sower and the reaper. The saying Like 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 3:1, etc. Probably a proverb that is particularly true “One is the sower and another the reaper.” It is sad when the sower misses the joy of reaping (Job 31:8) and has only the sowing in tears (Psalm 126:5.). This may be the punishment for sin (Deuteronomy 28:30; Micah 6:15). Sometimes one reaps where he has not sown (Deuteronomy 6:11; Joshua 24:13). It is the prerogative of the Master to reap (Matthew 25:26.), but Jesus here lets the disciples share his joy. [source]

Herein [ἐν τούτῳ]
Literally, in this. In this relation between sower and reaper. [source]

Is that saying true [ὁ λόγος ἐστὶν ὁ ἀληθινὸς]
Rev., properly, the saying; the common proverb. True: not only says the truth, but the saying is completely fulfilled according to the ideal in the sowing and reaping of which Jesus speaks. The literal rendering of the Greek, as given above, is, “the saying is the true (saying);” but several high authorities omit the article before true. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 4:37

John 15:8 Herein [ἐν τούτῳ]
Commonly referred to what follows. My Father is glorified in this, namely, that ye bear much fruit. It is better to refer it back to John 15:7. In the perfect unity of will between the Son and the disciple, which results in the disciple's obtaining whatever he asks, the Father is glorified. To this effect is John 14:13, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The design of this glorification is that ( ἴνα ) you may bear much fruit. This retrospective reference of ἐν τούτῳ , in this, or herein, occurs in John 4:37; John 16:30; 1 John 4:17. [source]

1 Thessalonians 1:9 Living and true [ζῶντι καὶ ἀληθινῷ]
The only instance in N.T. of this collocation. It does not occur in O.T. For ἀληθινὸς genuinesee on John 1:9; see on John 4:37; see on John 7:28. Mostly in the Johannine writings. [source]

What do the individual words in John 4:37 mean?

In for this the saying is TRUE - One - sowing and another reaping

ἐν γὰρ τούτῳ ὁ λόγος ἐστὶν ἀληθινὸς ὅτι Ἄλλος ὁ σπείρων καὶ ἄλλος θερίζων

τούτῳ	this
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Dative Neuter Singular Root: οὗτος Sense: this.
λόγος	saying
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: λόγος Sense: of speech.
ἀληθινὸς	TRUE
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἀληθινός Sense: that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name, real, true genuine.
ὅτι	-
Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since.
Ἄλλος	One
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἄλλος Sense: another, other.
ὁ	-
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σπείρων	sowing
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἐπισπείρω Sense: to sow, scatter, seed.
ἄλλος	another
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἄλλος Sense: another, other.
θερίζων	reaping
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: θερίζω Sense: to reap, harvest.

What are the major concepts related to John 4:37?

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Similar Scriptures for John 4:37

		Micah 6:15 [4]
		Job 31:8 [2]
		Luke 19:21 [1]
		Judges 6:3 [1]