Paragraph 4:31–38

The disciples came to Jesus and suggested that he eat something. Jesus told them that he had food to eat that they did not know about. The disciples wondered if someone else had given him food. But Jesus said that doing what his Father wanted satisfied him more than food. He also told them that the people there were like a field that was ready for them to harvest.

4:31

Meanwhile: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Meanwhile here indicates that the action in the next verses happened at the same time as the action in the previous verses. The disciples spoke with Jesus at the same time that the woman went to town and told her neighbors about Jesus.

Here is another way to translate this word:

While this was happening (Contemporary English Version)

the disciples urged Him: The verb urged here indicates that the disciples asked or encouraged Jesus several times to do something.

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to “learners” who are in a special relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn and follow his teaching and example. Disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went.

See how you translated this term in 1:35 and 4:27a.

Rabbi, eat something: The disciples encouraged Jesus to eat some of the food they had bought in town.

Rabbi: The word Rabbi is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “my great one.” When John wrote this Gospel, people used this word as a title of respect for an important religious teacher or leader. It does not refer to a school teacher.

If you do not have a word that expresses this idea of a religious teacher, you can just use the word “teacher” or “master.” If possible, use a word that implies that the teacher is respected. For example:

Teacher
-or-
My teacher/master
-or-
Honorable/Respected one

Use an expression in your language that is natural and shows proper respect. See how you translated it in Matthew 23:7–8 and Mark 11:21.

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