John 4:38

38 ego misi vos metere quod vos non laborastis alii laboraverunt et vos in laborem eorum introistis

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 et qui metit mercedem accipit et congregat fructum in vitam aeternam ut et qui seminat simul gaudeat et qui metit
37 in hoc enim est verbum verum quia alius est qui seminat et alius est qui metit
38 ego misi vos metere quod vos non laborastis alii laboraverunt et vos in laborem eorum introistis
39 ex civitate autem illa multi crediderunt in eum Samaritanorum propter verbum mulieris testimonium perhibentis quia dixit mihi omnia quaecumque feci
40 cum venissent ergo ad illum Samaritani rogaverunt eum ut ibi maneret et mansit ibi duos dies
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.