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John 4:37

ESV For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’
NIV Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.
NASB For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’
CSB For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’
NLT You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true.
KJV And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
NKJV For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’

What does John 4:37 mean?

Depending on the timing, it's entirely possible for crops in a field to be planted by one person and harvested by another. Jesus is describing the approaching crowd of Samaritans (John 4:30) by using the imagery of a wheat field, white and ready to be harvested (John 4:35). In this specific case, the people are being brought by the Samaritan woman Jesus was just speaking to (John 4:7–26).

This same woman mentioned the Messiah in her conversation with Jesus (John 4:25). She also referred to Messiah when speaking to the townspeople (John 4:29). At the time, the ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist were not only successful, but they were also attracting attention from the local religious leaders (John 1:19; 4:1). This means that the Samaritan woman, and the other townspeople, might have been "planted" with gospel seed by others.

Now, with the chance to hear and learn more about Jesus, these men and women were ready to be spiritually "harvested" and brought into a relationship with Christ (John 4:30–42). This should be both encouraging and challenging to believers. Our efforts to plant the gospel are never wasted: others may well complete what we've begun. And we should be sensitive to those who have been "seeded" with the gospel, so we can take opportunities to lead them to Christ.
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