Albert Barnes Commentary John 4:38

"I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor." — John 4:38 (ASV)

I sent you. In the commission given to you to preach the gospel. You have not labored or toiled in preparing the way for the great harvest that is now to be gathered in.

Other men labored.

1. The prophets, who long labored to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.

2. The teachers among the Jews, who have read and explained the law and taught the people.

3. John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way.

4. The Savior himself, who by his personal ministry taught the people and prepared them for the success that was to attend the preaching of the apostles. Especially did Jesus lay the foundation for the rapid and extensive spread of the gospel. He saw comparatively little fruit of his ministry. He confined his labors to Judea, and even there he was occupied in sowing seed that chiefly sprang up after his death.

From this we may learn:

1. That the man who is crowned with eminent success has no cause for boasting over others, any more than the man who reaps a field of grain should boast over the man who sowed it. The labor of both is equally necessary, and the labor of both would be useless if GOD did not give the increase. (Compare to 1 Corinthians 3:6).

2. We should not be discouraged if we do not meet with immediate success. The man who sows is not disheartened because he does not see the harvest immediately spring up. We are to sow our seed in the morning, and in the evening we are not to withhold our hand, for we do not know whether this or that will prosper; and we are to go forth bearing precious seed, though weeping, knowing that we will come again rejoicing, bearing our sheaves with us. (Ecclesiastes 11:4; Psalms 126:6).

3. Every part of the work of the ministry and of teaching people is necessary, and we should rejoice that we are permitted to bear any part, however humble, in bringing sinners to the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:21–24).