John 1:37 - Meaning and Application

Here we see two disciples turning from John to Jesus, and one of them bringing in a third. These are the first fruits of Christ’s disciples, and they show how small the church was at the start, and how great its future would become.

Andrew and another man were the two whom John the Baptist had directed to Christ (John 1:37). We are not told who the other disciple was. Some think it was Thomas, comparing John 21:2. Others think it was John himself, the writer of this Gospel, who often avoids naming himself (John 13:23; John 20:3).

Their readiness to go to Christ is clear. They heard John speak of Christ as the Lamb of God, and they followed Jesus. They may have heard the same thing the day before, but it had not then moved them as it did now. This shows the value of hearing truth again, and of private, personal conversation.

What most moved them was this: Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That is still the strongest reason for an awakened soul to follow him. If a person feels sin deeply, then the one who can take sin away is the one they must seek.

Christ also noticed them kindly. They came behind him, but even with his back toward them, he saw them following and turned to them. Christ gives early attention to the first movements of a soul toward him, even the first step on the road to heaven (Isaiah 64:5; Luke 15:20). He did not wait for them to ask to speak. He spoke first.

He said, “What do you seek?” This was not a rebuke for coming after him. He who came to seek us never blamed anyone for seeking him. Instead, it was a gentle welcome to shy and modest men. It was as if he said, “Come, what do you want from me? What is your request?” Those who teach others about the soul should be humble, gentle, and easy to approach.

Christ’s question is also one we should ask ourselves when we begin to follow him: What are we seeking? What do we want? Anyone who follows Christ but is really seeking the world, self, or human praise is deceiving himself. We should ask, Do we seek a teacher, ruler, and reconciler? Do we seek God’s favor and eternal life? If our aim is single and sincere, we are full of light.

They answered with a modest question about where he stayed: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” By calling him Rabbi, they showed that they came to be taught. Rabbi means a master, a teacher, one who instructs. There was never such a rabbi as our Lord Jesus, for in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

These men came to Christ as students, and so must all who come to him. John had told them that he was the Lamb of God. Now they were learning that this Lamb is worthy to open the book and its seals as a teacher and Lord (Revelation 5:9). Unless we give ourselves to be ruled and taught by him, he will not take away our sins.

By asking where he stayed, they also showed a desire to know him better. Christ was a stranger in that country, so they were asking where he lodged. They meant to visit him at a proper time and receive instruction from him there. They did not want to press upon him rudely. Courtesy and good manners fit those who follow Christ.

They also wanted more than a brief talk on the road. They meant to make a real matter of speaking with Christ, not a passing one. Those who have had some fellowship with Christ cannot help wanting more of it. They follow on to know him better. They also want steady fellowship, where they can sit at his feet and stay under his teaching. It is not enough to meet Christ now and then. We must dwell with him.

Christ gave them a warm invitation: “Come and see.” Good desires toward Christ should be encouraged. The nearer we come to him, the more we see of his beauty and worth. Deceivers keep followers at a distance, but Christ said, “Come and see.” He wanted them to see his lowly lodging, so they would not expect worldly gain from following him. They would see what they must count on if they chose to follow him (Matthew 8:20).

He also invited them at once. They asked where he stayed so they could come later at a more convenient time, but Christ said, “Come and see” now. There is never a better time than now. We should learn to take people when they are ready, and we should learn to use present opportunities wisely. Now is the accepted time (2 Corinthians 6:2).

They accepted his invitation gladly and, no doubt, thankfully. They came and saw where he lived, and they stayed with him that day. It would have been more polite, but not more helpful, if they had refused. They did not ask how they would be accommodated. They were content to go and make the best of whatever they found. It is good to be where Christ is, wherever that may be.

They were so pleased that they stayed with him that day. “Master, it is good to be here.” And he welcomed them. It was about the tenth hour. Some think John was using the Roman way of counting time, so this was about ten in the morning, and they stayed with him until night. Others think he was using the Jewish way, so it was about four in the afternoon, and they stayed with him that night and into the next day. Dr. Lightfoot thought this next day may have been a Sabbath, since it was late and they could not have gone home before the Sabbath.

As it is our duty, wherever we are, to try to spend the Sabbath as much as possible for our spiritual good, so those are blessed who use it with lively faith, love, and devotion, and spend the Lord’s Day in fellowship with Christ. These are truly the Lord’s days, the days of the Son of Man.

Andrew brought his brother Peter to Christ. If Peter had been the first of Christ’s disciples, the Roman Catholics would have made much of that. Peter did later become more notable in gifts, but Andrew had the honor of knowing Christ first and of bringing Peter to him. Notice, first, the message Andrew gave Peter, with an invitation to come to Christ.

He found him. He first found his own brother Simon, which means he had looked for him. Simon had come with Andrew to attend John’s preaching and baptism, and Andrew knew where to find him. Another disciple with him may have gone to look for a friend at the same time, but Andrew succeeded first. He first found Simon, who had come only to hear John, but received more than he expected. He met Jesus.

Then Andrew told him whom they had found: “We have found the Messiah.” Notice three things here. He spoke humbly. He did not say, “I have found,” as if he alone deserved the credit, but “We have found,” glad to share the joy with others. He spoke with excitement and joy. He had found that pearl of great price, that true treasure, and he announced it freely, like those lepers in (2 Kings 7:9), because he knew Christ would not be diminished by sharing him.

He also spoke with understanding. “We have found the Messiah” was more than had yet been said. John had called Jesus the Lamb of God and the Son of God, and Andrew, comparing this with the Old Testament Scriptures, concluded that Jesus was the promised Messiah, now that the fullness of time had come. By making God’s testimonies his meditation, he spoke more clearly about Christ than his teacher had done before, (Psalm 119:99).

Then Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. He did not try to teach him himself, but led him to the fountain itself, urged him to come to Christ, and introduced him. This was an act of true love toward his brother, his own brother, as he is called here because he was so dear to him. We should especially care about the spiritual good of those related to us, because family ties increase both our duty and our opportunity to do good to their souls.

It also showed the effect of Andrew’s day with Christ. The best proof that we have benefited from the means of grace is that our later speech and conduct are more godly and useful. It was clear Andrew had been with Jesus, because he was so full of him. He had been on the mountain, as it were, because his face shone. He knew there was enough in Christ for everyone, and after tasting that the Lord is gracious, he could not rest until those he loved tasted it too. True grace does not like to keep spiritual good to itself, and it does not want to eat its food alone.

Then we see the welcome Jesus Christ gave Peter, who was no less welcome because his brother had brought him, (John 1:42). When Jesus looked at him, he said, “You are Simon, son of Jonah.” Peter seems to have been entirely unknown to Christ at that point, and if so, this showed Christ’s all-knowing power. At the first sight, without asking questions, he could tell both the man’s name and his father’s name. The Lord knows those who belong to him, and he knows their whole situation.

It also showed Christ’s gentle grace and favor, because he spoke to him freely and kindly by name, even though Peter came from a humble family and was a man of little reputation. God showed the same favor to Moses when he said that he knew him by name, (Exodus 33:17). Some have noticed the meaning of the names: Simon means obedient, and Jonah means dove. An obedient, dove-like spirit fits a disciple of Christ.

Then Christ gave him a new name, Cephas. This showed Christ’s favor toward him. A new name often points to some great honor, (Revelation 2:17; Isaiah 62:2). By giving this name, Christ not only removed the shame of Peter’s low and obscure background, but also adopted him into his own family.

The name also pointed to Peter’s faithfulness to Christ. “You shall be called Cephas,” which is the Hebrew word for a stone, and in Greek it is Peter. The meaning is the same, as in (Acts 9:36), where Tabitha is explained as Dorcas. Peter’s natural temperament was firm, hardy, and resolute, and that seems to be the main reason Christ called him Cephas, a stone. Later, when Christ prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail, so that he might remain steadfast to Christ himself, and also told him to strengthen his brothers, he was making him what he here called him, a stone.

Those who come to Christ must come with a settled purpose to be firm and constant to him, like a stone, solid and steady. It is by his grace that they become so. His saying, “Be steady,” makes them steady. This does not prove that Peter was the only or chief rock on which the church is built, any more than calling James and John Boanerges proves they were the only sons of thunder, or calling Joses Barnabas proves he was the only son of consolation.