Bible Strands
John 4:37
For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples beside Jacob’s well in Samaria, speaking immediately after describing how sowers and reapers rejoice together in John 4:36.
The words — The Greek phrase ὁ λόγος (ho logos) denotes a recognized proverb, while ἀληθινός (alēthinos) confirms its factual accuracy in this specific situation.
The thread — The text states that the proverb “One sows and another reaps” applies here, extending the agricultural metaphor found in Micah 6:15, Job 31:8, and Judges 6:3.
Why it lands — The verse declares that spiritual labor frequently spans generations, requiring current workers to accept they will not personally harvest what they help establish.
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
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
Cross-references
- Micah 6:15 You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.
- Job 31:8 then may another eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.
- Judges 6:3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them,
- Luke 19:21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’