Already the reaper draws his wagesThis phrase indicates the immediacy and certainty of the spiritual harvest. In the context of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman, the "reaper" symbolizes those who are actively involved in the work of evangelism and discipleship. The "wages" refer to the spiritual rewards and fulfillment that come from participating in God's work. This echoes the principle found in
1 Corinthians 3:8, where Paul speaks of each worker receiving their reward according to their labor. The imagery of reaping suggests a time of joy and completion, as seen in the agricultural practices of the time, where harvest was a season of celebration.
and gathers a crop for eternal life
The "crop" represents the souls brought to faith in Christ, emphasizing the eternal significance of evangelistic work. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of sowing and reaping, as seen inGalatians 6:8, where sowing to please the Spirit results in eternal life. The focus on "eternal life" underscores the ultimate goal of the Gospel, which is not merely temporal improvement but everlasting communion with God. This phrase also reflects the eschatological hope present throughout the New Testament, where the harvest is often associated with the end times and the final gathering of believers.
so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together
This part highlights the unity and shared joy in the work of God's kingdom. The "sower" and "reaper" represent different roles within the process of evangelism and spiritual growth, yet both are essential and interconnected. This unity is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in1 Corinthians 3:6-9, where Paul describes the collaborative nature of ministry. The shared rejoicing points to the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where all believers participate in and celebrate the work of God. It also reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such asAmos 9:13, where the plowman overtakes the reaper, symbolizing abundant blessing and harmony.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in the Gospel of John, who is teaching about spiritual truths using the metaphor of sowing and reaping.
2.
The DisciplesFollowers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and witnessing His interactions with others.
3.
The Samaritan WomanAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, she is part of the broader context of
John 4, where Jesus speaks to her at the well.
4.
SamariaThe region where Jesus is speaking, significant for its mixed population and historical tensions with the Jews.
5.
The HarvestA metaphorical event representing the gathering of believers into eternal life, emphasizing the spiritual work of evangelism.
Teaching Points
The Joy of Collaboration in MinistryThe verse highlights the joy that comes when both the sower and the reaper work together in God's kingdom. This teaches us the importance of unity and collaboration in ministry efforts.
Eternal Perspective in EvangelismThe "crop for eternal life" reminds us that our efforts in sharing the Gospel have eternal significance. We should be motivated by the eternal impact of our work.
Immediate and Future RewardsThe reaper "draws his wages" suggests that there are both immediate and future rewards for those who labor in God's field. This encourages us to remain faithful, knowing that God sees and rewards our efforts.
The Role of Every BelieverEvery believer has a part to play in the spiritual harvest, whether sowing or reaping. We should be open to the roles God assigns us and work diligently in them.
Rejoicing in God's WorkThe shared joy of the sower and reaper points to the celebration that comes from seeing God's work accomplished. We should celebrate the successes of others in ministry as if they were our own.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 4:36?
2.How does John 4:36 illustrate the joy of spiritual harvest and eternal life?
3.What roles do sowers and reapers play in God's kingdom according to John 4:36?
4.How can we actively participate in the spiritual harvest described in John 4:36?
5.How does John 4:36 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?
6.In what ways can we experience the "joy" mentioned in John 4:36 today?
7.What does John 4:36 mean by "the reaper draws his wages"?
8.How does John 4:36 relate to the concept of eternal rewards?
9.What is the significance of "sowing and reaping" in John 4:36?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 4?
11.What is false conversion?
12.Why does divine love not prevent eternal punishment?
13.What caused the Religious Wars in history?
14.What does 'no fear in love' mean?What Does John 4:36 Mean
Already“Already the reaper draws his wages…” (John 4:36a)
• Jesus has just said, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35). The moment of harvest is not future but present.
• Scripture often stresses God’s “now”: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
• God’s work never stalls. As soon as the gospel is sown, it begins bearing fruit (Isaiah 55:11).
the reaper draws his wages• “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7). In kingdom terms, the “wages” include:
– Present joy in seeing lives changed (3John 4).
– God’s provision for those who minister (1 Corinthians 9:14).
– Eternal reward laid up in heaven (Matthew 6:20;Revelation 22:12).
• Jesus assures workers that their service is never wasted (Hebrews 6:10). Even now, He credits their account.
and gathers a crop for eternal life• The “crop” is people rescued from sin and granted everlasting life (John 3:16;Romans 6:22).
• Every soul is a permanent harvest; nothing can perish in God’s barn (John 10:28–29).
• Harvest language echoes Old Testament imagery of grain gathered into barns (Matthew 13:30), underscoring security and completion.
so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together• Some plant, others harvest, but all belong to one team (1 Corinthians 3:6–9).
• The prophets sowed, Jesus and His disciples reaped among the Samaritans the fruit of centuries of revelation (John 4:37–38).
• Shared joy fulfillsPsalm 126:5–6—those who “sow in tears” and those who “bring in the sheaves” shout together.
• Heaven itself joins the celebration whenever sinners repent (Luke 15:10).
summaryJohn 4:36 assures every gospel worker that the harvest is already underway, the reward is both present and future, the fruit is eternal, and the joy is communal. Whether planting the seed or gathering the sheaves, all who labor in Christ’s field share the same glad, unending rejoicing.
(36)
And he that reapeth.--The wages of the reaper is the joy--the greatest that the heart can know--of gathering others, as men gather corn into the garner, into eternal life. The sower is Christ Himself, whose words have been the seed in the woman's heart, already bringing forth a harvest in those who are coming to Him. The reapers are the disciples. In this harvest day they would learn, from sympathy with the souls of others, the joy of the reaper, and in that joy it was ordained that sower and reaper should rejoice together.
Verse 36. - Then partially dropping, or rather explaining, his metaphorical language, he added,
Already he that reapeth receiveth wages;i.e. receiveth from the great Owner of all souls the reward of fellowship with his purpose, and the recompense of entering into the supreme joy of the Lord of the harvest. The disciples might at once enter upon their harvesting. The work was itself "payment," but it has a distinct aim beyond mere
μισθός - be who reaps in this harvest of souls
is gathering in fruit unto eternal life. The water that Jesus gives, the refreshment of soul be is able to supply, becomes a well, a fountain, a river, an ocean of life, an eternity of blessedness; and now this fruit of souls, this harvest of saved men, is a Divine, eternal treasure, which the reaper houses in the garner of God. The final clause is introduced by
ἵνα, which certainly suggests here the "contemplated result" rather than the end of this ingathering. The "end" would be greater and nobler than what is here mentioned; the result is
that even the sower and also the reaper may rejoice together. Westcott here says that Christ does not speak of himself as "the Sower," but as "the Lord of the harvest." If it be so, the sowers of whom be thinks are all the preparatory processes, all the prophetic men, all the testifiers to the Light whose testimony was crowned in John, all the way by which Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth have been prepared for the kingdom of the Spirit; and they will all rejoice together with yourselves who now begin your harvest joy. If so, the vista opens first into the long future of Christian enterprise, to be consummated at last in the heavenly world, where parted hands may meet again, and these who have never met before shall "clasp inseparable hands in joy and bliss in overmeasure forever!" All this may be proleptically contained in the words, but the special force of them would be severed from the circumstances which manifestly gave birth to them. These seem to me to be, primarily, Christ's own ministry of sowing on that very day. The reaping of the harvest may begin at once, and so the Sower (the Son of God) and reapers who gather fruit unto life eternal may and will rejoice together.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
{Already} theὉ(Ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.reaperθερίζων(therizōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2325:To reap, gather, harvest. From theros; to harvest.drawsλαμβάνει(lambanei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2983:(a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.[his] wagesμισθὸν(misthon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3408:(a) pay, wages, salary, (b) reward, recompense, punishment. Apparently a primary word; pay for service, good or bad.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.gathersσυνάγει(synagei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4863:From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.a cropκαρπὸν(karpon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2590:Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively.forεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.eternalαἰώνιον(aiōnion)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 166:From aion; perpetual.life,ζωὴν(zōēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222:Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.so thatἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.sowerσπείρων(speirōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4687:To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.reaperθερίζων(therizōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2325:To reap, gather, harvest. From theros; to harvest.may rejoiceχαίρῃ(chairē)Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5463:A primary verb; to be 'cheer'ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well.together.ὁμοῦ(homou)Adverb
Strong's 3674:Together, at the same place and time. Genitive case of homos as adverb; at the same place or time.
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NT Gospels: John 4:36 He who reaps receives wages and gathers (Jhn Jo Jn) 
