John 4:38

38 I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have worked, and you have entered into their 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 The one who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life, in order that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together.

37 For in this [instance] the saying is true, 'It is one who sows and another who reaps.'

38 I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have worked, and you have entered into their work."

39 Now from that town many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything that I have done."

40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they began asking him to stay with them. And he stayed there two days.