Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
The verse marks the day after John's testimony to the priests and Levites that Jesus is the Son of God, when John is standing at Bethabara beyond Jordan with two of his disciples, Andrew and John the son of Zebedee. As Jesus walks by among the people, John points his disciples away from himself to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and they leave John to follow Jesus that they may know Him, though they do not yet fully understand. Jesus invites them to come and see where He lives, and they stay with Him that day in the first conference beside the Jordan as He opens to them the plan of salvation. From that hour Andrew hurries away to call his brother Simon, while John follows in silent, rapt contemplation, seeking ever nearer intimacy until likeness to Christ becomes his one desire and his character reflects his Master's. Their calling, with Philip and Nathanael, marks the beginning of Christ's public work of gathering disciples and lays the foundation of the Christian church, teaching that all who find Christ should make direct, personal effort to lead relatives and friends to Him.
Setting and First Disciples
Again the next day comes after John's testimony to the priests and Levites that Jesus is the Son of God, and it sets the moment when the disciples respond to that witness and begin to follow Jesus. John is standing with two of his disciples as Jesus passes by walking, and John turns their attention away from himself toward Jesus. The scene belongs to John's preaching and baptizing at Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where much people were gathered at the Jordan for baptism. There the nearby memories of Israel crossing the Jordan and of the fall of Jericho stirred hopes that God would again deliver Israel.
As Jesus walks by among the people, John points his two disciples to Him as the Lamb of God, the Saviour who takes away the sin of the world. He does this the day after he had first identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, now repeating the witness so that the two hear and follow Jesus. The two standing with him are Andrew and John, the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple, and they are Jesus' first disciples. Christ received these first disciples in Judea, where much of His early ministry took place.
They leave John and follow Jesus because they want to speak with Him, know Him, and learn from Him, seeking instruction and to know more of Him. They do not yet fully understand the title Lamb of God, nor yet know whether He is the Messiah. Jesus invites them to come and see where He lives, and they stay with Him that day. That stay is the first conference beside the Jordan, where they listen to His teaching and He opens to them the plan of salvation.
From that hour the two respond in contrasting ways. Andrew, having heard Jesus, hurries away to call his brother. John sits silent, rapt in contemplation of wondrous themes, absorbed in what he hears. From that time he follows Jesus as an eager, absorbed listener, wanting only still nearer intimacy and seeking every opportunity for close contact, pressing close to Jesus and drinking in divine light and life until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him becomes his one desire. So his character comes to reflect his Master's character, and his relationship with Jesus becomes the closest among the twelve. Philip too had listened to John's teaching and heard him announce Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Church Beginning and Witness
The calling of John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael to leave their humble occupations, accompany Jesus, receive His teaching, witness His miracles, and make those works known to the world marks the beginning of His public work of gathering disciples. Their calling, followed by Andrew bringing his brother Simon, whom Jesus names Peter, and Philip seeking Nathanael, marks the beginning of the Christian church and lays its foundation. After the events at the Jordan the disciples acknowledge their faith in Jesus and tell others what they had seen and heard, bringing their friends to Jesus and kindling hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people.
Those who find Christ should make direct, personal efforts to lead relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to Him rather than leaving that work to ministers alone. It is the task of each follower, young and old alike, to tell others about the precious Friend he has found. Faith is exercised and grows through such good works, and faithful service strengthens courage, hope, and spiritual life.
John's directing of his followers toward Jesus turns people away from outward forms and self-righteousness and centers hope of eternal life in Christ. Christ must be received individually as Saviour, with no priest or pope able to take His place. Repentant, believing sinners find peace with His righteousness imputed to them, and living, active faith brings sanctification and transforms them into His image. The work in Judea, including John's testimony, proclaimed Christ's divine identity and Sonship to the Eternal.
The verse marks the day after John's testimony to the priests and Levites that Jesus is the Son of God, when John is standing at Bethabara beyond Jordan with two of his disciples, Andrew and John the son of Zebedee. As Jesus walks by among the people, John points his disciples away from himself to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and they leave John to follow Jesus that they may know Him, though they do not yet fully understand. Jesus invites them to come and see where He lives, and they stay with Him that day in the first conference beside the Jordan as He opens to them the plan of salvation. From that hour Andrew hurries away to call his brother Simon, while John follows in silent, rapt contemplation, seeking ever nearer intimacy until likeness to Christ becomes his one desire and his character reflects his Master's. Their calling, with Philip and Nathanael, marks the beginning of Christ's public work of gathering disciples and lays the foundation of the Christian church, teaching that all who find Christ should make direct, personal effort to lead relatives and friends to Him.
Setting and First Disciples
Again the next day comes after John's testimony to the priests and Levites that Jesus is the Son of God, and it sets the moment when the disciples respond to that witness and begin to follow Jesus. John is standing with two of his disciples as Jesus passes by walking, and John turns their attention away from himself toward Jesus. The scene belongs to John's preaching and baptizing at Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where much people were gathered at the Jordan for baptism. There the nearby memories of Israel crossing the Jordan and of the fall of Jericho stirred hopes that God would again deliver Israel.
As Jesus walks by among the people, John points his two disciples to Him as the Lamb of God, the Saviour who takes away the sin of the world. He does this the day after he had first identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, now repeating the witness so that the two hear and follow Jesus. The two standing with him are Andrew and John, the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple, and they are Jesus' first disciples. Christ received these first disciples in Judea, where much of His early ministry took place.
They leave John and follow Jesus because they want to speak with Him, know Him, and learn from Him, seeking instruction and to know more of Him. They do not yet fully understand the title Lamb of God, nor yet know whether He is the Messiah. Jesus invites them to come and see where He lives, and they stay with Him that day. That stay is the first conference beside the Jordan, where they listen to His teaching and He opens to them the plan of salvation.
From that hour the two respond in contrasting ways. Andrew, having heard Jesus, hurries away to call his brother. John sits silent, rapt in contemplation of wondrous themes, absorbed in what he hears. From that time he follows Jesus as an eager, absorbed listener, wanting only still nearer intimacy and seeking every opportunity for close contact, pressing close to Jesus and drinking in divine light and life until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him becomes his one desire. So his character comes to reflect his Master's character, and his relationship with Jesus becomes the closest among the twelve. Philip too had listened to John's teaching and heard him announce Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Church Beginning and Witness
The calling of John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael to leave their humble occupations, accompany Jesus, receive His teaching, witness His miracles, and make those works known to the world marks the beginning of His public work of gathering disciples. Their calling, followed by Andrew bringing his brother Simon, whom Jesus names Peter, and Philip seeking Nathanael, marks the beginning of the Christian church and lays its foundation. After the events at the Jordan the disciples acknowledge their faith in Jesus and tell others what they had seen and heard, bringing their friends to Jesus and kindling hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people.
Those who find Christ should make direct, personal efforts to lead relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to Him rather than leaving that work to ministers alone. It is the task of each follower, young and old alike, to tell others about the precious Friend he has found. Faith is exercised and grows through such good works, and faithful service strengthens courage, hope, and spiritual life.
John's directing of his followers toward Jesus turns people away from outward forms and self-righteousness and centers hope of eternal life in Christ. Christ must be received individually as Saviour, with no priest or pope able to take His place. Repentant, believing sinners find peace with His righteousness imputed to them, and living, active faith brings sanctification and transforms them into His image. The work in Judea, including John's testimony, proclaimed Christ's divine identity and Sonship to the Eternal.