Devine Scripture

John 4:35

What does John 4:35 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:35 means

Jesus challenges the disciples' common saying about a four-month wait until harvest, directing their attention to a spiritual harvest that is "white already." He uses an agricultural metaphor to emphasize the urgency and readiness of people, particularly the Samaritans now approaching, to receive the Gospel. This highlights that the spiritual harvest is not constrained by earthly seasons but is ripe for gathering at every moment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You would say, Four months from now is the time of the grain-cutting. Take a look, I say to you, at the fields; they are even now white for cutting.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

do not say that it is yet four months, and the harvest cometh; lo, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and see the fields, that they are white unto harvest already.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Do not you say: There are yet four months, and then the harvest cometh? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and see the countries. For they are white already to harvest.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Do not ye say, that there are yet four months and the harvest comes? Behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes and behold the fields, for they are already white to harvest.

Context

This verse pivots from Jesus' explanation of His spiritual sustenance to a vivid illustration of His mission using an agricultural metaphor. It follows His declaration in verse 34 about His sustenance being doing God's will. By challenging their perception of harvest time, Jesus broadens the disciples' understanding, directing them to the immediate spiritual readiness of people, particularly the Samaritans who are now approaching, to hear and believe.

v.34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

v.35This passage

v.36He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 9:37

    Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

  • Luke 10:2

    And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

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