John 4:32
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
βρῶσιν
meat
G1035
βρῶσιν
meat
Strong's:
G1035
Word #:
6 of 12
(abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food (literally or figuratively)
ἔχω
have
G2192
ἔχω
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
7 of 12
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἣν
that
G3739
ἣν
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 12
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Job 23:12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.John 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.Psalms 119:103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.Proverbs 18:20A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.Psalms 63:5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:Psalms 25:14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.Proverbs 14:10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
Historical Context
This exchange likely occurred while the Samaritans were walking from the city toward Jesus (v. 30). The physical setting becomes a teaching moment about spiritual realities.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that obedience to God provides spiritual nourishment?
- How can we cultivate spiritual appetites that exceed physical ones?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' statement 'I have meat to eat that ye know not of' introduces the theme of spiritual nourishment. The phrase 'ye know not of' indicates that the disciples, despite their time with Jesus, still had much to learn about kingdom priorities. Christ's sustenance came from fulfilling the Father's redemptive purposes.