Went out—came unto Him (€&rov—pyovro mpos abrér). Went out is the aorist tense, denoting the coming forth from the city as a single act at a point of time. Came is the imper- fect, denoting action in progress. The observance of the dis- tinction makes the narrative more graphic. Zhey were coming. Unto should be toward (mpis). The imperfect also is required by the following words: “In the mean while” (while the woman was still absent and the Samaritans were coming toward Him) “the disciples were praying” Him to eat. This last imperfect is overlooked by the Rey.
32. Meat (Spacw). Originally the act of eating (Col. ii. 16), but often of that which is eaten. A parallel is found in the vulgar phrase, a thing is good or poor eating. The word is always used by Paul in its original sense.
Know not of (ov« oidare). Incorrect. Rev., rightly, ye know not ; i.e., you do not know its virtue.
33. Said (édeyov). Imperfect tense: began to say, or were saying. The question was discussed among them.
One to another. Fearing to ask Jesus.
34. Meat (Spapua). A different word from that in ver. 32, signifying what is eaten.
To do (iva ro). Lit., in order that I do. Emphasizing the end and not the process. Frequently so used in John. See on ili. 19.
Finish (redevéow). Better, as Rev., accomplish. Not merely ring to an end, but perfect. From rénetos, perfect. The verb is characteristic of John, and of the Epistle to the Hebrews. See v. 86; xvii. 4; xix. 28; 1 Johnii. 5; iv. 12; Heb. ii. 10; v. 9, ete. 35. Say not ye. In what follows, Jesus is contrasting the
natural harvest-time with the spiritual, which was immediately to take place in the ingathering of the Samaritans. Ye is em-