John 1:38, commentary and pictures

Jesus turned to Andrew and John the son of Zebedee as they followed Him at their first meeting beside the Jordan at the beginning of His work, and asked what they were seeking, leaving them free to turn back or to speak their desire for Him.
They called Him Master and asked where He was staying because a brief talk by the way could not satisfy them, for they longed to be alone with Him and learn from Him in personal acquaintance.
He invited them to visit Him, and there He taught them the plan of salvation in simple practical instruction that moved their hearts and gave them faith and assurance that He is the Messiah.
John in particular remained with Him in quiet receptive trust and eager absorbed attention, pressing close to Him in love and companionship until likeness to Him became his one desire and their hearts were linked together.
Their visit began a pattern in which one who finds Christ brings another to Him, teaching that all His followers, young or old, should make direct personal efforts to bring relatives and friends to the Saviour, a work that strengthens their own faith and advances their spiritual life.

Setting and Meaning

This question belongs to the first meeting beside the Jordan in Judea, at the beginning of Jesus' early ministry when His teaching revealed Him as the Son of God. The two who were following Him were John the son of Zebedee and Andrew. They were part of the first five chosen at the start of His earthly work, together with Simon, Philip and Nathanael, to learn from Him, witness His miracles and carry their testimony to the world.

Jesus turned to these first disciples who were following Him and asked what they were seeking. By asking He left them free to turn back or to express their desire for Him. They addressed Him as Rabbi, which is to say Master.

Their question about where He was staying expressed their desire for personal acquaintance and instruction. They were seeking Christ Himself, wanting to know Him and learn from Him at His home. They longed to be alone with Him, to sit at His feet and hear His words, since a brief roadside conversation could not satisfy them.

Following Jesus Closely

John met Him with a quiet, receptive spirit and childlike trust that drew him into close intimacy with Christ. While Andrew hurried away to call his brother, John remained silent with Jesus, rapt in contemplation of wondrous themes. He followed Him as an eager, absorbed listener.

His remaining and following showed a longing for still nearer intimacy, for love and sympathy and companionship. He obtained it by pressing close to Jesus, sitting by His side, leaning upon His breast, and drinking in divine light and life until likeness to Christ became his one desire. His desire for every opportunity of close contact with his Master was granted, so that his relationship with Jesus became among the closest of the twelve.

Following meant leaving home and friends to serve Him, walking and talking with Him, and being with Him in the privacy of the home and in public assemblies. As they followed, He quieted their fears, delivered them from danger, relieved their sufferings, comforted their grief, and taught them with patience and tenderness until their hearts were linked with His. In the ardor of their love they longed to be nearest to Him in His kingdom, so that at every possible opportunity John took his place next to Him.

Bringing Others to Christ

To His question what they were seeking, Jesus answered their wish to know where He stayed with the invitation to come and see, and when they came He received them and taught them in simple, practical instruction that opened to them the plan of salvation. His gracious words deeply moved them, and from that visit they gained faith and assurance that He is the Messiah. Their answer calling Him Rabbi, meaning Master, was the beginning of their personal approach to Him. That encounter belongs to the calling of the first disciples, in which John directed two of his own disciples to Jesus, and after listening to His teaching they became His disciples. Andrew then brought his brother Simon to Jesus, who named him Peter, and Jesus also called Philip, who brought his friend Nathanael, and through these first five the Christian church began.

Their example began the pattern in which one person brings another to Christ. It shows how personal contact with Jesus and personal invitation lead those who have found Him to share Him with others. All of Christ's followers are therefore to make direct, personal effort to bring relatives, friends, and acquaintances to the Saviour. This telling others about the Friend they have found is a work for church members as well as ministers, a work anyone can do, young or old. Faithful work of this kind strengthens faith and advances the believer's spiritual life.