John 4:32-4 - Physical vs. Spiritual Food.

John 4:32-4 (KJV)  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat 
that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, 
Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat 
is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 

John 4:32-4 (CWR)  He said to them, "I've been eating while you 
were gone, and you have no idea how good it tasted." The disciples 
said to each other, "Do you think that someone brought Him something 
to eat while we were gone?" Jesus, over hearing their conversation, 
said, "The food I'm talking about is the happiness that comes from 
doing God's will and accomplishing what He sent me to do. 

The "food" about which Jesus was speaking was his spiritual 
nourishment. It includes more than Bible study, prayer, and attending church. 
Spiritual nourishment also comes from doing God's will and helping to 
bring his work of salvation to completion. We are nourished not only 
by what we take in, but also by what we give out for God. [Life 
Application SB] 

Throughout Jesus' ministry, we see a marked difference between 
His priorities and the concerns of His disciples. The disciples were 
often preoccupied with how to meet their physical needs (Mt 14:15-17; 
John 4:8; Lu 18:28). Jesus repeatedly assured them that the Father 
knew their needs and would provide (Lu 11:11-13). Jesus stressed that 
their priority was to "seek first the kingdom of God and His 
righteousness"; the necessities of daily life would be provided (Mt 6:33). 
When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, His disciples had 
gone into a nearby town to get food. While His disciples were seeking 
earthly nourishment, Jesus was giving this woman "living water" that 
would satisfy her soul for eternity. When they returned, the disciples 
urged Jesus to eat. He replied that His "food" was to do the will of 
His Father. Since their attention was on earthly matters, His 
disciples misunderstood His reply. Jesus' very life came from obeying His 
Father. Because of Jesus' obedience that day, the woman received eternal 
life. In her excitement, she brought many others to Jesus to hear for 
themselves, and many believed that He was indeed the Christ, the Savior of 
the world (John 4:39-42). 
The apostle Paul understood what Jesus had been teaching His 
disciples. When Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, he stressed that "the 
kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace 
and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things 
is acceptable to God and approved by men" (Ro 14:17-18). 
When Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted 
the Scriptures, summarizing the focus of His life and ministry: 
"Know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every 
word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord" (De 8:3). 
[Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re John 4:34] 

The relative importance Christian's attach to material things as 
compared with things of the spirit is an index to their devotion (see on 
Matt. 20:15). [SDA Commentary]