35 "Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his 36 disciples; and he looked upon Jesus as He walked, and saith, 37 Behold, the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him 38 speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto Him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where abidest Thou? He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They come therefore and saw where He abode; and they abode with Him that day; it was about 40 the tenth hour. One of the two that heard John speak, and 41 followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have 42 found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). He brought him unto Jesus, Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).
43 "On the morrow He was minded to go forth into Galilee, and He findeth Philip; and Jesus saith unto him, Follow Me. 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and 45 Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did 46 write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."
NOTE.—Read John 1:19-51, committing to memory verses 35-37. The lesson section includes the story of how Jesus trained His first five disciples, and the record of how they made their first journey to Cana and Capernaum. It is suggested that the following verses be learned by heart: John 1:29, 39; Isa. 53:7; 1 Peter 1:19.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What three persons are spoken of in the first verse of the lesson? What is the signification of the word which introduces this verse? Note 1. (2) As he looked upon Jesus, what declaration did John make? V. 36. (3) Hearing this, what did John's two disciples do? V. 37. (4) What question did Jesus ask, as He turned to meet them? How did they reply to Him? V. 38. Note 2. (5) With what invitation did He answer their question? What did they do? V. 39. (6) Who was one of those who followed Jesus on this occasion? V. 40. Note 3. (7) What missionary work did Andrew at once do? What did he say to his brother? V. 41. (8) To whom did Andrew take his brother? When Jesus saw Simon, what did He say? V. 42. Note 4. (9) Where did Jesus go the next day? Whom did He find? What did Jesus say to him? V. 43. (10) To what city did Philip belong? What other disciples lived in the same city? V. 44. (11) Whom did Philip find? What did he say to Nathanael? V. 45. (12) What question did Nathanael ask on hearing Philip's declaration? What wise reply did Philip make to this question? V. 46. Note 5.
NOTES.
1. Again.—A repetition of what had taken place on the preceding day. John's declaration to his disciples, given in verse 37, was in part identical with his expression of the day previous, "Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John had not mistaken the work of Jesus. This expression shows that John understood Jesus was to be the world's great antitypical sacrifice. Twice he had declared it to his hearers.
2. Where abidest Thou?—The question showed a desire on their part to know more of Jesus. It was also an indication of their desire to be with Him; and Jesus did not keep them waiting for an invitation. Jesus is always ready to receive those who desire to follow Him.
3. One of the two.—It is generally believed that the other one who followed Jesus at this time was John, the beloved disciple.
4. Thou shalt be called Cephas.—The Aramaic word for "stone." Jesus saw the character of Simon when He looked upon him, impulsive, rash, unstable; but the name which He gave to Simon was a prophecy of what he would become, a rock which could not be shaken even by the fear of a cruel death.
5. Come and see.—"If Nathanael had trusted to the rabbis for guidance, he would never have found Jesus. It was by seeing and judging for himself that he became a disciple. So in the case of many to-day whom prejudice withholds from good. How different would be the result if they would 'come and see'! He who saw Nathanael under the fig tree, will see us in the secret place of prayer. Angels from the world of light are near to those who in humility seek for divine guidance."—Desire of Ages.
