*John 1:35-51
John the Baptist’s disciples follow Jesus, Andrew introducing his brother Simon to the Messiah, and Philip inviting Nathanael to meet Jesus.
- John’s Testimony to Jesus:
- The passage begins with John the Baptist standing with two of his disciples.
- Seeing Jesus pass by, John declares, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
- Disciples Follow Jesus:
- Upon hearing John’s testimony, the two disciples follow Jesus.
- Jesus’ Invitation:
- Jesus turns and sees them following Him, asking them, “What do you seek?”
- They respond by asking where He is staying, to which Jesus invites them to “Come and see.”
- Andrew’s Encounter with Jesus:
- Jesus Calls Philip:
- The next day, Jesus decides to go to Galilee and finds Philip, saying to him, “Follow me.”
- Philip’s Invitation to Nathanael:
- Philip, having encountered Jesus, goes to find Nathanael and tells him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
- Nathanael’s Initial Skepticism:
- Nathanael expresses skepticism, questioning whether anything good could come from Nazareth.
- Jesus’ Knowledge of Nathanael:
- As Nathanael approaches, Jesus sees him and comments on his character, saying, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
- Nathanael’s Confession:
- Surprised, Nathanael asks Jesus how He knows him, and Jesus replies, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
- Nathanael’s Acknowledgment:
- Overwhelmed by this revelation, Nathanael acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel.
- Jesus’ Response:
- Jesus assures Nathanael that he will see greater things, such as angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
1:35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
1:38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 1:39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.