John 4:38

38 I have sent you to harvest what you didn't work hard for; others worked hard, and you will share in their hard work."

John 4:38 Meaning and Commentary

John 4:38

I sent you to reap
To preach the Gospel, and gather in souls by your ministry; referring to the mission of them in ( Matthew 10:6 Matthew 10:7 ) ;

that whereon ye bestowed no labour;
being sent to the Jews, who had the writings of the prophets, and were versed in them; and had learned from them that the Messiah was to come, and were now in general expectation of him; so that they had nothing more to do, than to declare to those persons who were cultivated by the prophets, and were like to ground tilled and manured, that the Messiah was come, and the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

Other men laboured;
the prophets, and John the Baptist:

and ye are entered into their labours;
to finish the work they had begun, and which was almost done to their hands.

John 4:38 In-Context

36 Those who harvest are receiving their pay and gathering fruit for eternal life so that those who sow and those who harvest can celebrate together.

37 This is a true saying, that one sows and another harvests.

38 I have sent you to harvest what you didn't work hard for; others worked hard, and you will share in their hard work."

39 Many Samaritans in that city believed in Jesus because of the woman's word when she testified, "He told me everything I've ever done."

40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.