“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest?” (KJV) There is much discussion among commentators as to whether this is referring to the time of year with 4 months remaining until harvest or to a proverb which is now lost to us.  The importance of this verse is not its origin, but its meaning.  After the seed is planted there is a period of months of waiting before the ripened fruit may be harvested.  In this world growth is slow and cannot be hurried, but in the spiritual realm the harvest may come immediately after the planting.  Therefore there is an urgency in the planting and harvesting of souls.  We must not relax and think that there is no hurry in harvesting.

“they are white already to harvest.” (KJV) Few crops give any appearance of being white at harvest and certainly not wheat.  What white crop is Jesus referring to here?  Probably the white garments of the approaching Samaritans.

The sad irony of this passage is that the disciples could not see the need of others for the Savior. They had probably passed that very Samaritan woman on her way to the well but had said nothing to her.