Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
For (gar). Explanation of the reason for asking her.
Were gone away (apelhluqeisan). Past perfect of aperxomai, to go off. They had already gone before she came. To Sychar (John 4:5, John 4:39).
To buy food (ina trofav agoraswsin). ina in purpose clause with first aorist active subjunctive of agorazw, old verb from agora (marketplace). See Matthew 21:12. Trofh (nourishment) is old word from trefw, to nourish (Matthew 3:4). "Victuals" (plural).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 4:8:
John 3:16
1 Corinthians 5:1
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