The Meaning of John 4:34 Explained

John 4:34

KJV: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

YLT: Jesus saith to them, 'My food is, that I may do the will of Him who sent me, and may finish His work;

Darby: Jesus says to them, My food is that I should do the will of him that has sent me, and that I should finish his work.

ASV: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Jesus  saith  unto them,  My  meat  is  to  do  the will  of him that sent  me,  and  to finish  his  work. 

What does John 4:34 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 4:34

To do the will [ινα ποιησω το τελημα]
Non-final use of ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive as subject or predicate nominative as in John 6:29; John 15:8; John 17:3. The Messianic consciousness of Jesus is clear and steady (John 5:30; John 6:38). He never doubted that the Father sent him. And to accomplish his work ινα — Hina understood with τελειωσω — teleiōsō in like idiom, first aorist active subjunctive of τελειοω — teleioō (from τελειος — teleios), to bring to an end. See John 5:36. In John 17:4 (the Intercessory Prayer) he will say that he has done He will carry through the Father‘s programme (John 3:16). That is his “food.” He had been doing that in winning the woman to God. [source]
Meat [βρῶμα]
A different word from that in John 4:32, signifying what is eaten. [source]
To do [ἵνα ποιῶ]
Literally, in order that I do. Emphasizing the end and not the process. Frequently so used in John. See on John 3:19. [source]
Finish [πελειώσω]
Better, as Rev., accomplish. Not merely bring to an end, but perfect. From τέλειος , perfect. The verb is characteristic of John, and of the Epistle to the Hebrews. See John 5:36; John 17:4; John 19:28; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 4:12; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:9, etc. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 4:34

John 8:29 Those things that please Him [τὰ ἀρεστὰ αὐτῷ]
Literally, as Rev., the things that are pleasing to Him. Always ( πάντοτε ) closing the sentence, is emphatic. Jesus' holy activity is habitual and continuous. See John 4:34. [source]
John 5:36 To finish [ἵνα τελειώσω]
Literally, in order that I should accomplish. Rev., accomplish. See on John 4:34. [source]
John 5:23 Which sent Him []
A phrase peculiar to John, and used only by the Lord, of the Father. See John 4:34; John 6:38, John 6:39; John 7:16, John 7:28, John 7:33, etc. [source]
John 17:4 I glorified thee on the earth [εγω σε εδοχασα επι της γης]
John 17:3 is parenthetical and so John 17:4 goes on after John 17:2. He had prayed for further glorification. Having accomplished First aorist active participle of τελειοω — teleioō old verb from τελειος — teleios (perfect). Used in John 4:34 by Jesus with το εργον — to ergon as here. That was Christ‘s “food” Christ does not die as a disappointed man, but as the successful messenger, apostle Perfect active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi regarded as a permanent task. [source]
John 4:21 Believe me [πιστευε μοι]
Correct text. Present active imperative. Unique phrase in place of the common αμην αμην — amēn amēn (verily, verily). The hour cometh “There is coming an hour.” The same idiom occurs also in John 4:34; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 16:2, John 16:25, John 16:32. Neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem The worship of God will be emancipated from bondage to place. Both Jews and Samaritans are wrong as to the “necessity” “These ancient rivalries will disappear when the spirituality of true religion is fully realized.” Jesus told this sinful woman one of his greatest truths. [source]
John 4:32 Meat [βρωσιν]
Originally the act of eating (Romans 14:17) from βιβρωσκω — bibrōskō but soon and commonly as that which is eaten like βρωμα — brōma once in John (John 4:34). So here and John 6:27, John 6:55. Cf. vernacular English “good eating,” “good eats.” I … ye Emphatic contrast. Spiritual food Jesus had. [source]
John 5:36 But the witness which I have is greater than that of John [Εγω δε εχω την μαρτυριαν μειζω του Ιωανου]
Literally, “But I have the witness greater than John‘s.” Μειζω — Meizō Final clause with ινα — hina and first aorist active subjunctive of τελειοω — teleioō the same idiom in John 4:34. Jesus felt keenly the task laid on him by the Father (cf. John 3:35) and claimed at the end that he had performed it (John 17:4; John 19:30). Jesus held that the highest form of faith did not require these “works” The very works “The works themselves,” repeating τα εργα — ta erga just before for vernacular emphasis. Hath sent me Perfect active indicative of αποστελλω — apostellō the permanence of the mission. Cf. John 3:17. The continuance of the witness is emphasized in John 5:32; John 8:18. [source]
John 6:38 I am come down [καταβεβηκα]
Perfect active indicative of καταβαινω — katabainō See note on John 6:33 for frequent use of this phrase by Jesus. Here απο — apo is correct rather than εκ — ek with του ουρανου — tou ouranou Not to do “Not that I keep on doing” (final clause with ινα — hina and present active subjunctive of ποιεω — poieō). But the will Supply ινα ποιω — hina poiō after αλλα — alla “but that I keep on doing.” This is the fulness of joy for Jesus, to do his Father‘s will (John 4:34; John 5:30). [source]
John 7:16 Mine [εμη]
Possessive pronoun, “not mine in origin.” Jesus denies that he is self-taught, though not a schoolman. But his that sent me Genitive case of the articular participle (first aorist active of πεμπω — pempō). His teaching is not self-originated nor is it the product of the schools (see the Talmud in contrast with the New Testament). Jesus often in John uses this idiom of “the one who sent me” of the Father (John 4:34; John 5:23, John 5:24, John 5:30, John 5:37; John 6:38-40, John 6:44; John 7:16, John 7:18, John 7:28, etc.). The bold claim is here made by Jesus that his teaching is superior in character and source to that of the rabbis. [source]
John 8:29 Is with me [μετ εμου εστιν]
The Incarnation brought separation from the Father in one sense, but in essence there is complete harmony and fellowship as he had already said (John 8:16) and will expand in John 17:21-26. He hath not left me alone First aorist active indicative of απιημι — aphiēmi “He did not leave me alone.” However much the crowds and the disciples misunderstood or left Jesus, the Father always comforted and understood him (Mark 6:46; Matthew 14:23; John 6:15). That are pleasing to him This old verbal adjective, from αρεσκω — areskō to please, in N.T. only here, Acts 6:4; Acts 12:3; 1 John 3:22. The joy of Jesus was in doing the will of the Father who sent him (John 4:34). [source]
1 John 3:5 Was manifested []
See on John 21:1. Including Christ's whole life on earth and its consequences. The idea of manifestation here assumes the fact of a previous being. John various terms to describe the incarnation. He conceives it with reference to the Father, as a sending, a mission. Hence ὁ πέμψας με Hethat sent me (John 4:34; John 6:38; John 9:4; John 12:44, etc.): ὁ πέμψας με πατήρ theFather that sent me (John 5:37; John 8:18; John 12:49, etc.): with the verb ἀποστέλλω tosend as an envoy, with a commission; God sent ( ἀπέστειλεν ) His Son (John 3:17; John 10:36; 1 John 4:10; compare John 6:57; John 7:29; John 17:18). With reference to the Son, as a coming, regarded as a historic fact and as an abiding fact. As a historic event, He came ( ἧλθεν , John 1:11); this is He that came ( ὁ ἐλθὼν , 1 John 5:6). Came forth ( ἐξῆλθον ; John 8:42; John 16:27, John 16:28; John 17:8). As something abiding in its effects, am come, hath come, is come, marked by the perfect tense: Light is come ( ἐλήλυθεν , John 3:19). Jesus Christ is come ( ἐληλυθότα , 1 John 4:2). Compare John 5:43; John 12:46; John 18:37). In two instances with ἥκω Iam come, John 8:42; 1 John 5:20. Or with the present tense, as describing a coming realized at the moment: whence I come ( ἔρχομαι , John 8:14); compare John 14:3, John 14:18, John 14:28; also Jesus Christ coming ( ἐρχόμενον , 2 John 1:7). With reference to the form: in flesh ( σάρξ ). See John 1:14; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7. With reference to men, Christ was manifested (1 John 1:2; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:8; John 1:31; John 21:1, John 21:14).|To take away ( ἵνα ἄρῃ )|See on John 1:29.|Our sins ( τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν )|Omit ἡυῶν ourCompare John 1:29, τὴν ἁμαρτίαν , the sin. The plural here regards all that is contained in the inclusive term the sin: all manifestations or realizations of sin.|In Him is no sin ( ἁμαρτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν )|Lit., in Him sin is not. He is essentially and forever without sin. Compare John 7:18.| [source]

What do the individual words in John 4:34 mean?

Says to them - Jesus My food is that I should do the will of the [One] having sent Me and should finish of Him work
Λέγει αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς Ἐμὸν βρῶμά ἐστιν ἵνα ποιήσω τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πέμψαντός με καὶ τελειώσω αὐτοῦ ἔργον

Λέγει  Says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦς  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Ἐμὸν  My 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Neuter 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐμός  
Sense: my, mine, etc.
βρῶμά  food 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: βρῶμα  
Sense: that which is eaten, food.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ποιήσω  I  should  do 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
τοῦ  of  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πέμψαντός  having  sent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: πέμπω  
Sense: to send.
με  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τελειώσω  should  finish 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: τελειόω  
Sense: to make perfect, complete.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἔργον  work 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.