Charles Ellicott Commentary John 4:31

"In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat." — John 4:31 (ASV)

Master.—The Hebrew word Rabbi has been preserved in the earlier passages (John 1:38; John 1:49; John 3:2; John 3:26), and will meet us again in John 6:25. It is less ambiguous than the English word, and should be restored here and in John 9:2; John 11:28.

They had left Him weary by the side of the well (John 4:6), and had gone to the town. They now return with the food they had obtained, and ask Him to partake of it.