John 1:35–42:
Jesus’ first disciples

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. 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?”. 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. 40 One of the two who had heard John and had followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first finds his own brother Simon and says to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which translated is: ‘Christ’). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus said, “You are Simon, the son of Jonah; you will be called Cephas” (which translated is: ‘Stone’).
John 1:35–42 (SCS)

Correct Interpretation of John 1:35–42

After the testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus (John 1:29–34), the narrative continues with a new episode in which some of his disciples are present when he again points to Jesus.

(vv. 35–36)
«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!”.»

The narrative once again places John the Baptist with some of his own disciples. Seeing Jesus pass by, he repeats the declaration he had already made the day before: “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29).

The Gospel does not introduce a new explanation of the title here, but again presents the same testimony of John concerning Jesus. The repetition underscores the clarity and consistency of his message.

In this way, the Baptist once more points to Jesus in front of those who were with him, directing attention toward the One about whom he had borne witness.

(v. 37)
«The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.»

The two disciples who were with John hear his declaration concerning Jesus and begin to follow Him. The narrative shows how the Baptist’s testimony leads others toward Christ.

The text points out the step these disciples take: after hearing John, they move on to follow Jesus. Thus begins the movement that the Gospel will continue to display throughout its narrative: people who, upon hearing the testimony about Him, draw near to follow Him.

(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 turns toward those who are following Him and asks them a direct question: “What do you want?”. The Gospel does not explain their motives here, but presents this question as the first dialogue between Jesus and those who begin to follow Him.

They address Him with the title “Rabbi”, which the text itself translates as “Teacher”. In this way, they recognize His authority as a teacher and approach Him with respect.

They then ask: “where are You staying?”. The question indicates that they want to know where Jesus is remaining. The narrative thus shows the beginning of a closer relationship between Jesus and these disciples.

(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 answers the disciples’ question with a simple invitation: “Come and see”. Instead of giving an immediate explanation, He invites them to go with Him and see for themselves where He is staying.

The narrative continues by saying that they went, saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day. In this way begins the first time these disciples spend in Jesus’ company.

The evangelist adds a concrete detail: “it was about the tenth hour”. This precision shows the lived character of the account and places the encounter at a specific moment of the day (approximately four in the afternoon according to the Jewish time system).

(vv. 40–41)
«⁴⁰ One of the two who had heard John and had followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹ He first finds his own brother Simon and says to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which translated is: ‘Christ’).»

The narrative identifies one of the two disciples who followed Jesus: Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. After having been with Jesus, Andrew goes to look for his brother.

When he finds him, he communicates what he has discovered: “We have found the Messiah!”. The evangelist adds an explanation for his readers, indicating that “Messiah” means “Christ”. With this clarification, John translates the Hebrew term for readers who were not familiar with it.

Thus, for the first time in the Gospel, Jesus is explicitly identified as the Messiah.

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

Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus. The narrative highlights Jesus’ reaction: upon seeing him, He makes a declaration about him.

Jesus says to him: “You are Simon, the son of Jonah; you will be called Cephas”. The evangelist adds an explanation for his readers: “Cephas” is an Aramaic word meaning “stone,” and its Greek equivalent is the name “Peter.”

In the Bible, changes of name often point to a new stage or purpose in a person’s life. Here Jesus announces a name that will from then on identify Simon within the group of His disciples.

The account thus ends by showing how the encounter with Jesus not only leads to following Him, but also introduces a new identity within the community of those who follow Him.

Theological Implications

• Jesus is recognized as the Messiah: Andrew identifies Jesus as the Messiah, a title that the Gospel translates as “Christ”.

• Testimony leads to following Jesus: The announcement of John the Baptist leads his disciples to draw near to Jesus and begin to follow Him.

• The encounter with Jesus produces testimony: After having been with Him, Andrew goes to seek his brother Simon and announces to him what he has found.

• Jesus grants a new identity: Upon meeting Simon, Jesus gives him a new name, marking the beginning of a new stage in his life.

Spiritual Applications

• Draw near to Jesus personally: The first disciples did not limit themselves to hearing about Him; they went to see Him and remained with Him.

• Seek to know Christ more closely: The desire to know where Jesus was staying led the disciples to spend time with Him.

• Share with others what you have found: Andrew sought out his brother to tell him that they had found the Messiah.

• Allow Jesus to direct your life: The encounter with Christ marks a new beginning and a new direction.

Summary

John 1:35–42 relates how some of the first disciples begin to follow Jesus. After hearing the testimony of John the Baptist, two of his disciples follow Jesus, speak with Him, and remain with Him that day. One of them, Andrew, then goes to seek his brother Simon and announces to him that they have found the Messiah. When Simon is brought to Jesus, the Lord gives him a new name, Cephas (Peter). The passage thus shows how the testimony concerning Jesus leads to following Him and to bringing others to know Him.

Closing Prayer

Our Father, thank You because by Your grace You allow us to draw near to Your Son. Thank You for showing us Jesus as the Lamb of God and for allowing us to hear the testimony that directs us toward Him.

Lord, give us a heart willing to respond when we are led toward Christ. Help us seek Him sincerely and remain near to Him, just as those first disciples did when they went to see where He was and stayed with Him.

Just as Andrew went to seek his brother in order to bring him to Jesus, give us also the desire to share with others what we have found in Christ. May our words and our lives always direct attention toward Him.

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