John 1:35–42:
The First Disciples Follow Jesus

The Correct Interpretation of John 1:35–42

After publicly identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Son of God (John 1:29–34), John again points Him out in front of two of his own disciples. Now the purpose of his testimony begins to become visible: they hear him, leave John, and follow Jesus. That encounter then leads to further testimony when Andrew finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus. In this way, the first group of disciples begins to form around Christ.

(vv. 35–37)
«35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 And seeing Jesus walking by, he says, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.»

John is again standing with two of his disciples when he sees Jesus walking by and repeats: “Look, the Lamb of God!”

This time the result of his testimony becomes immediately visible: the two disciples hear him speak and follow Jesus.

This is precisely what John had been sent to accomplish. The prologue had said that he came to testify about the Light “so that all might believe through him” (John 1:7). John does not gather disciples in order to keep them centered on himself; his testimony leads those who hear him to the One about whom he testifies.

The movement of the narrative is therefore significant: men who had been John’s disciples now begin following Jesus.

(v. 38)
«So turning and observing them following Jesus says to them, “What do you want?” So they said to Him, “Rabbi” (which translated means ‘Teacher’), “where are You staying?”»

Jesus observes the two men following Him and speaks His first recorded words in this Gospel: “What do you want?”

The question is not merely asking them to identify something they are looking for; it requires those who have begun following Him to express what they want from Him.

They answer by calling Him “Rabbi”, that is, “Teacher,” revealing the level of understanding they have at this point. They are only beginning to discover who Jesus is.

Their question, “where are You staying?” expresses their desire to know where He is staying so they can be with Him and listen to Him.

(v. 39)
«He says to them, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where He was staying, and stayed with Him that day—it was about the tenth hour.»

Jesus does not simply give them an address, but extends an invitation: “Come and see.”

They accept, see where He is staying, and stay with Him that day.

The verb associated with “staying” or remaining will become very important throughout the Gospel of John. Here it still appears in a simple setting: these first disciples move from hearing about Jesus, to following Him, and finally to staying with Him.

John also preserves the detail that it was about “the tenth hour”, placing the encounter concretely within that particular day.

(v. 40)
«One of the two who heard John and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.»

Of the two disciples, John identifies only one: Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

The other remains unnamed in the narrative, so there is no need to try to identify him.

Andrew had heard John’s testimony, followed Jesus, and stayed with Him. Now that encounter begins to reach someone else.

(v. 41)
«He first finds his own brother Simon and says to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated ‘Christ’).»

After spending time with Jesus, Andrew goes to find his brother Simon.

His declaration shows an immediate advance beyond how he had addressed Jesus only hours earlier. At first he had said “Rabbi”; now he announces: “We have found the Messiah!”

“Messiah” is the Hebrew/Aramaic term that John translates for his readers as “Christ”, the expected Anointed One.

Andrew has begun to recognize in Jesus the fulfillment of Israel’s messianic expectation. Yet the Gospel will continue to reveal progressively what it truly means for Jesus to be the Messiah.

(v. 42)
«And he led him to Jesus. Looking at him Jesus said, “You are Simon, the son of Jonah; you will be called Cephas” (which is translated ‘Stone’).»

Andrew does not merely tell Simon about Jesus: he personally leads him to Jesus.

Jesus looks at Simon and, before Simon says anything, declares who he is: “You are Simon, the son of Jonah”.

He then announces: “you will be called Cephas”, a name John translates as “Stone” and which corresponds to the name Peter.

The Gospel does not yet explain the full significance of that name or the role Simon will later play. For now, the scene shows that from their very first encounter Jesus knows Simon and speaks with authority about what he will come to be called.

Implications

• John’s testimony fulfills its purpose: those who hear him are directed to Jesus.
• Jesus becomes the center of discipleship: John’s disciples now begin following Him.
• Coming to know Jesus is progressive: those who first call Him “Rabbi” soon begin recognizing Him as the Messiah.
• An encounter with Jesus produces further testimony: Andrew immediately seeks out Simon and brings him to Christ.
• Jesus knows Simon from their first encounter: before Simon says anything, Jesus identifies him and announces the name by which he will be known.
• Staying with Jesus begins to emerge as a theme in the Gospel: the first disciples do not merely follow Him; they spend time with Him.

Applications

• Hear the testimony about Jesus with a willingness to follow Him: the disciples did not stop with what John said about Him.
• Seek to know Christ more deeply: these men began by calling Him Teacher and gradually came to understand more clearly who He was.
• Invite others to encounter Jesus: Andrew shares with Simon what he has discovered and leads him to Jesus.
• Do not make yourself the center when you testify: John allowed his own disciples to follow Christ.
• Continue learning from Jesus: following Him is not merely an initial approach, but staying near Him and listening to His word.

Summary

In John 1:35–42, John again points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, and two of his disciples respond by following the One about whom their teacher had testified. Jesus asks them, “What do you want?” and invites them, “Come and see.” They stay with Him that day. One of them, Andrew, moves from calling Jesus “Rabbi” to announcing to his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” Andrew then leads Simon to Jesus, who knows him and announces that he will be called Cephas, “Stone.” In this way, the testimony about Jesus begins producing new disciples and new witnesses, while their understanding of who He is continues to grow.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank You that the testimony about Jesus Christ leads those who receive it to Your Son.

Help us not to be satisfied merely with hearing about Jesus, but to follow Him, stay with Him, and know more and more clearly who He is.

Give us hearts that are also willing to share with others what we have discovered in Christ, as Andrew did with his brother Simon.

Keep us from putting ourselves at the center, and teach us always to point to Jesus.

And as we continue through this Gospel, let our understanding of Your Son grow according to what Your Word reveals about Him.

We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.