John 1:35-42
Again on the morrow ( τη επαυριον παλιν ). Third day since verse 19.Was standing ( ιστηκε ). Past perfect of ιστημ, intransitive, and used as imperfect in sense. See same form in 7:37.
Two ( δυο ). One was Andrew (verse 40), the other the Beloved Disciple (the Apostle John), who records this incident with happy memories.
He looked ( εμβλεψας ). First aorist active participle of εμβλεπω, antecedent action before λεγε (says).
As he walked ( περιπατουντ ). Present active participle in dative case after εμβλεψας and like ερχομενον in verse 29 vividly pictures the rapture of John in this vision of Jesus, so far as we know the third and last glimpse of Jesus by John (the baptism, verse 29, and here).
Saith ( λεγε ). Historical present, change from ιστηκε before. He repeats part of the tribute in verse 29.
Heard him speak ( ηκουσαν αυτου λαλουντος ). First active indicative of ακουω and present active participle of λαλεω in genitive case agreeing with αυτου, object of ακουω. "Heard him speaking" (kind of indirect discourse). John had disciples ( μαθητα, learners, from μανθανω, to learn).
They followed Jesus ( ηκολουθησαν τω Ιησου ). Associative instrumental case after verb (first aorist active indicative, ingressive aorist, of ακολουθεω ). These two disciples of the Baptist (Andrew and John) took him at his word and acted on it. John the Baptist had predicted and portrayed the Messiah, had baptized him, had interpreted him, and now for the second time had identified him.
Turned ( στραφεις ). Second aorist passive participle of στρεφω, vividly picturing the sudden act of Jesus on hearing their steps behind him.
Beheld ( θεασαμενος ). First aorist middle participle of θεαομα (verse 32). Both participles here express antecedent action to λεγε (saith).
Following ( ακολοθουντας ). Present active participle of ακολουθεω (verse 37). It was Christ's first experience of this kind and the two came from the Baptist to Jesus.
What seek ye? ( Τ ζητειτε; ). Not "whom" ( τινα 18:4; 20:15), but "what purpose have you." The first words of Jesus preserved in this Gospel. See Lu 2:49; Mt 3:15 for words spoken before this and Mr 1:15 for Mark's first report in the Galilean ministry.
Rabbi ( Ραββε ). Aramaic title for "Teacher" which John here translates by Διδασκαλε as he is writing late and for general readers. Luke, a Greek Christian, does not use it, but John recalls his first use of this term to Jesus and explains it. Matthew has it only in the greeting of Judas to the Master (Mt 26:25, 49) and Mark once by Judas (Mr 14:45) and twice by Peter (Mr 9:5; 11:21). John's Gospel has the disciples at first addressing Jesus by Rabbi while others address him by Κυριε (Lord or Sir) as in 4:11, 49; 5:7. Peter uses Κυριε in 6:68. In the end the disciples usually say Κυριε (13:6, 25, etc.), but Mary Magdalene says Ραββουνε (20:16).
Being interpreted ( μεθερμημευομενον ). Present passive participle of μεθερμηνευω, late compound of μετα and ερμηνευω, to explain (Joh 1:42), old word from Hερμες, the god of speech (hermeneutics). John often explains Aramaic words (1:38, 41, 42; 4:25; 9:7, etc.).
Where abidest thou? ( Που μενεισ; ). They wished a place for quiet converse with Jesus.
Come and ye shall see ( ερχεσθε κα οψεσθε ). Polite invitation and definite promise (future middle indicative οψεσθε from οραω, correct text, not imperative ιδετε ).
Where he abode ( που μενε ). Indirect question preserving the present active indicative after secondary tense ( ειδαν, saw) according to regular Greek idiom. Same verb μενω as in 38.
With him ( παρ' αυτω ). "By his side," "beside him."
That day ( την ημεραν εκεινην ). Accusative of extent of time, all during that day.
About the tenth hour ( ωρα ως δεκατη ). Roman time and so ten o'clock in the morning. John in Ephesus at the close of the century naturally uses Roman time. See 20:19 "evening on that day," clearly Roman time. Thus also Joh 19:14 (sixth hour, morning) and Mr 15:25 (third hour, nine A.M.) suit. To his latest day John never forgot the hour when first he met Jesus.
Andrew ( Ανδρεας ). Explained by John as one of the two disciples of the Baptist and identified as the brother of the famous Simon Peter (cf. also 6:8; 12:22). The more formal call of Andrew and Simon, James and John, comes later (Mr 1:16ff.; Mt 4:18ff.; Lu 3:1-11).
That heard John speak ( των ακουσαντων παρα Ιωανου ). "That heard from John," a classical idiom ( παρα with ablative after ακουω ) seen also in 6:45; 7:51; 8:26, 40; 15:15.
He findeth first ( ευρισκε ουτος πρωτον ). "This one finds (vivid dramatic present) first" ( προτων ). Προτων (adverb supported by Aleph A B fam. 13) means that Andrew sought "his own brother Simon" ( τον αδελφον τον ιδιον Σιμωνα ) before he did anything else. But Aleph L W read πρωτος (nominative adjective) which means that Andrew was the first who went after his brother implying that John also went after his brother James. Some old Latin manuscripts (b, e, r apparently), have μανε for Greek πρω (early in the morning). Bernard thinks that this is the true reading as it allows more time for Andrew to bring Simon to Jesus. Probably πρωτον is correct, but even so John likely brought also his brother James after Andrew's example.
We have found the Messiah ( Hευρηκαμεν τον Μεσσιαν ). First aorist active indicative of ευρισκω. Andrew and John had made the greatest discovery of the ages, far beyond gold or diamond mines. The Baptist had told about him. "We have seen him."
Which is ( ο εστιν ). Same explanatory neuter relative as in verse 38, "which word is." This Aramaic title Messiah is preserved in the N.T. only here and 4:25, elsewhere translated into Χριστος, Anointed One, from χριω, to anoint. See on Mt 1:1 for discussion.
Looked upon him ( εμβλεψας αυτω ). See verse 36 for same word and form of John's eager gaze at Jesus. Luke uses this word of Jesus when Peter denied him (Lu 22:61).
He brought him ( ηγαγεν αυτον ). Effective second aorist active indicative of αγο as if Andrew had to overcome some resistance on Simon's part.
Thou shalt be called Cephas ( συ κληθηση Κηφας ). Apparently before Simon spoke. We do not know whether Jesus had seen Simon before or not, but he at once gives him a nickname that will characterize him some day, though not yet, when he makes the noble confession (Mt 16:17f.), and Jesus will say, "Thou art Peter." Here the future passive indicative of καλεω is only prophecy. The Aramaic Χηφας (rock) is only applied to Simon in John except by Paul (1Co 1:12; Ga 1:18, etc.). But the Greek Πετρος is used by all. In the ancient Greek πετρα was used for the massive ledge of rock like Stone Mountain while πετρος was a detached fragment of the ledge, though itself large. This distinction may exist in Mt 16:17f., except that Jesus probably used Aramaic which would not have such a distinction.
Copyright information for
RWP