By T. W. Parker

In the latter portion of this chapter, Jesus is revealed to certain disciples. These verses are the transition between the ministry of John the Baptist and the ministry of Christ. John the Baptist is with two of his disciples, Andrew and John the author, and after pointing to the Lamb of God, they follow Jesus.

(John. 1:35-36). The next day refers to the second day in this series. The most likely reason for this chronological notation is that the author had a particular interest in narrating how some disciples came from their position as adherents in John’s party to faith in Jesus. The action in God’s economy shifted from John’s baptism to Jesus’ ministry. John pointed his disciples to Jesus as the Lamb of God.

(John. 1:37). The two disciples of John heard the witness of the Baptist and followed Jesus. The word “followed” probably has a double meaning here. They followed Him in the sense of literal walking and also as His disciples, that is, they turned their allegiance to Jesus that day.  

(John. 1:38). The first word the disciples heard from Jesus was, what do you want? In one sense, Jesus was asking a simple question, and the disciples responded with a request for information as to where He lived. However, the author seemed to imply more. Perhaps Jesus was also asking, “What are you seeking in life?” The word translated as (“staying” in Greek is men’-o; a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): —abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, or remain). Moreover, of the 112 (NT) passages in which it occurs, 66 are in John’s writings, 40 in the Gospel of John, and 23 in 1 John, and 3 in 2 John.

(John. 1:39). Jesus’ words of invitation were, “Come and you will see.” A person must first come to Him; then they will see. In addition to seeing where He stayed, these words may possibly also have a deeper theological implication. The two disciples remained with Him that day, beginning at the 10th hour. That hour was 4 P.M. or 10 A.M., depending on whether the Fourth Gospel counted days from 6 A. M. (as the Synoptics customarily did) or from midnight or noon. The 10 A.M. time seemed better and was the official Roman usage.

(John. 1:40-41). Andrew, one of the two disciples who followed Jesus, was the first proclaimer of Jesus as the Messiah. In Hebrew, “Messiah” means “the anointed One,” which in Greek is translated “Christ” (Christos). The idea of “the anointed One” comes from the (OT) practice of anointing priests and Kings with oil. This was symbolic of the Spirit and pointed to the future One who would come (Isaiah 61:1). Additionally, the title “Messiah” came to be used of the future Davidic King (Matthew. 1:1, John. 6:15). Further, in bringing his brother Simon Peter to Christ, no man did the church a greater service than Andrew. Indeed, Andrew appeared two more times in John (6:4-9, 12:20-22); both times, he was bringing someone to Jesus.

(John. 1:42). When Jesus looked at Simon, He knew the man’s character and destiny. Jesus gave him the Aramaic name “Cephas.” Peter is the Greek translation of Cephas (Rock). Simon’s name in Hebrew was probably Simeon (Greek in Acts. 15:14, 2 Peter. 1:1). No reason is given here for the change of his name from Simon to Cephas. Yet, the common understanding is that his name indicates what God, by His grace, would do through him. Peter would be a rock-like figure in the church during its early years (Matt. 16:18, Luke 22:31-32, John 21:15-19, Acts 2-5, 10-12).    

Note:

1. We must embrace the invitation of Christ to “come and see.”
2. We must examine our own desires as we identify what we are looking for and discover deeper truths.
3. We must follow Jesus into greater Revelation, as we witness the divine and experience Spiritual awakening.
4. Finally, we must be modern-day disciples, ones who point others to Jesus and live in faith and unity.