Bible Strands
John 4:34
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus answers his disciples' question about who brought him food (v. 33) by redefining what sustains him, then immediately pivots to the harvest (v. 35).
The words — βρῶμα (brōma) is a concrete word for physical food, applied here to a purpose clause introduced by ἵνα (ina, "that"), framing obedience as the thing that actually nourishes.
The thread — John 6:38 and 5:30 repeat the same contrast: not doing his own will but the Father's. Job 23:12 inverts the image, treasuring God's words more than daily bread.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to identify what actually sustains them and whether that source is obedience to God's work or something else.
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
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Cross-references
- John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.
- John 5:30 I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
- Job 23:12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
- John 17:4 I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
- Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
- John 4:32 But He told them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
- John 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.
- John 5:36 But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
- Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- Psalms 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”