Translation commentary on John 4:32

The pronouns I and you are emphatic in Greek.

The Greek word for food in the verse (brōsis) is different from the word used in verse 34 (Greek brōma), but the two words are used synonymously here.

In some languages it is essential to be more specific about the relation of “eating” and “food,” that is, one must distinguish between “I have food which I will eat” and “I have food which I have eaten.” Since the disciples immediately began to ask among themselves whether someone had brought him food, it may be necessary to use an expression in verse 32 meaning “I have eaten food that you know nothing about.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 4:32

4:32

But He told them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here introduces Jesus’ negative reply to the disciples’ urging. He did not want to eat some food.

I have food to eat that you know nothing about: Jesus implied that he did not want any food because he was satisfied with another kind of food. He was referring to spiritual food, not physical food. In some languages it is more natural to supply the implied information that Jesus was already satisfied. A different kind of food had satisfied him. For example:

It is enough, because I have eaten something that you do not know about.
-or-
I am already ⌊satisfied⌋ with food you do not know about.

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