Charles Ellicott Commentary John 4:8

"For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food." — John 4:8 (ASV)

For introduces His reason for asking this favor of her. The disciples had gone on. He was alone, and without the means of getting water for Himself (John 4:11).

Meat. Better, food, as the former word is misleading in modern English. See Genesis 1:29-30, and Deuteronomy 20:20, where herbs and fruits are termed “meat.” It will be remembered that the meat-offering did not consist of flesh, but of flour and oil and ears of corn (Leviticus 2:0).