2. Reaction of the disciples (4:27-38)

The disciples returned and were surprised to find Jesus talking with a woman (v.27; cf. the comment on v.9). The woman reported her conclusion about Jesus and his identity to the villagers and invited them to come see him (vv.28-29). When the disciples encouraged Jesus to partake of some physical nourishment (v.31), his response in terms of spiritual food (v.32) mystified them. They wondered if someone else might have fed him (v.33). But he was referring to doing the will of God (v.34) and was speaking of the work of evangelism that God had outlined for both him and them (vv.35-38).