Bible Strands
John 4:31
Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The disciples address Jesus as “Rabbi” after leaving the Samaritan town, urging Him to eat following His extended conversation with the woman at the well.
The words — The Greek μεταξὺ (metaxu) literally means “in the meantime,” marking the pause in Jesus’ teaching, while ἠρώτων (ērōtōn) denotes the disciples’ persistent asking or urging.
The thread — The title “Rabbi” appears in John 1:38 and Matthew 23:7, and the motif of withholding a meal until a message is delivered echoes Genesis 24:33.
Why it lands — The text records the disciples’ natural concern for physical sustenance before Jesus redirects attention to spiritual nourishment, requiring the reader to evaluate what they prioritize when approaching divine instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
Cross-references
- Genesis 24:33 Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.” So Laban said, “Please speak.”
- John 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”
- Matthew 23:7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.
- Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”