John 1:35-39 · Bible study
John 1:35-39 Commentary: Prophetic Witness and Discipleship
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did John the Baptist's disciples leave him to follow Jesus? This study explores the purpose of prophetic witness and the invitation 'Come and see.'
Research Summary
- Meaning: John the Baptist directs his own disciples to Jesus, who invites them to stay with him; the passage models prophetic witness that points away from self and toward the Messiah.
- Key words: emblepsas (fixing his gaze), akoloutheō (to follow as a disciple), zēteō (to seek), menō (to stay/abide), erchomai kai optanomai (come and see).
- Main debate: Whether this narrative describes the first informal contact with these disciples or a later stage of their call; commentators (e.g., Cambridge Bible) note it is likely an earlier, less formal encounter than the calls in the Synoptics.
- Theological theme: The purpose of prophetic witness: to transfer allegiance from the messenger to the Messiah, and the open invitation to abide with Christ.
- Best use: Evangelism training, discipleship foundations, stewardship of influence, and teaching on what seekers are really looking for.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
36When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37And when the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
38Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39“Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.
WEB World English Bible 2000
35Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples,
36and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
37The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
KJV King James Version 1769
35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
35Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples;
36and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!
37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38And 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, Teacher), where abidest thou?
39He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
35On the morrow, again, John was standing, and two of his disciples,
36and having looked on Jesus walking, he saith, `Lo, the Lamb of God;'
37and the two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus.
38And Jesus having turned, and having beheld them following, saith to them, `What seek ye?' and they said to them, `Rabbi, (which is, being interpreted, Teacher,) where remainest thou?'
39He saith to them, `Come and see;' they came, and saw where he doth remain, and with him they remained that day and the hour was about the tenth.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
35Again, on the morrow, there stood John and two of his disciples.
36And, looking at Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God.
37And the two disciples heard him speaking, and followed Jesus.
38But Jesus having turned, and seeing them following, says to them, What seek ye? And they said to him, Rabbi (which, being interpreted, signifies Teacher), where abidest thou?
39He says to them, Come and see. They went therefore, and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
35The next day again John stood and two of his disciples.
36And beholding Jesus walking, he saith: Behold the Lamb of God.
37And the two disciples heard him speak: and they followed Jesus.
38And Jesus turning and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him: Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?
39He saith to them: Come and see. They came and saw where he abode: and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about the tenth hour.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 1:35
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this passage shows the fulfilment of John the Baptist's role as a forerunner. Calvin observes that John 'laboured incessantly to resign his office to Christ' once he saw his own course ending. The two disciples, traditionally identified as Andrew and the apostle John (Clarke, Gill), heard their master's pointed repetition of 'Behold, the Lamb of God!' and immediately transferred their allegiance to Jesus. Barnes notes that John was not trying to build a party; his sincerity appears in his willingness to lose followers to Christ.
When Jesus turns and asks, 'What seek ye?' the commentators read the question as a warm invitation, not a rebuke. Matthew Henry calls it 'a kind inquiry'. The disciples answer with a question of their own: 'Where are you staying?', a request for extended personal contact. Jesus replies, 'Come and see,' an open-ended invitation to first-hand experience. The mention of the tenth hour (about 4 p.m. by Jewish reckoning, as most agree) explains why they stayed the rest of that day. It was an evening of discovery that left a lasting impression: the evangelist remembers the exact hour.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: John the Baptist faithfully points his disciples to Jesus as the Lamb of God, leading them to follow Christ, which demonstrates the purpose of prophetic witness: to direct others to the Messiah.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the two disciples | One is Andrew (John 1:40); the other is almost certainly John the son of Zebedee, who habitually conceals his name (Clarke, Gill). | Some suggest another less prominent disciple, but the early tradition consistently identifies the second as John the evangelist. |
| The meaning of the 'tenth hour' | The hour marks late afternoon, about 4 p.m. by Jewish reckoning, explaining why the disciples stayed overnight (Barnes, Calvin, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown). | A minority view (modern) holds that John may have used Roman timekeeping (10 a.m.). Commentators in the supplied sources uniformly support the Jewish interpretation. |
| The relation to the Synoptic calls of the disciples | This is an early encounter, not the final call to leave everything permanently (Cambridge Bible, Easton). | How long after this encounter the disciples returned to fishing and were called again is not specified; some see a tension with the Synoptics that is resolved by a gradual calling process. |
| John the Baptist's understanding at this point | John clearly identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Son of God (John 1:29-34). | Whether John had full clarity that Jesus would atone for sin through death, or whether that understanding grew over time, is discussed but not resolved in supplied sources. |
Historical & Cultural Context
John the Baptist's ministry was located 'beyond the Jordan' (John 1:28), probably near Bethabara, a popular crossing point. Crowds came to hear him, and he had gathered a circle of disciples who were being prepared for the coming Messiah. By the day described in John 1:35-39, John had already publicly identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29). Now he does so again, singling Jesus out with an intense, fixed gaze, the Greek participle emblepsas suggests a deliberate, penetrating look.
The phrase 'the tenth hour' reflects the Jewish division of daylight into twelve equal hours from sunrise (approx. 6 a.m.) to sunset. The tenth hour would be about 4 p.m., meaning only about two hours of daylight remained. This explains why the disciples 'stayed with him that day': there was little time left before nightfall. The location where Jesus was staying was likely the house of a friend, possibly in or near Bethany or a village along the Jordan valley.
The disciples' address 'Rabbi' was a title of honour used for respected teachers in first-century Judaism. John's Gospel translates it for Greek-speaking readers as 'Teacher', just as it later interprets 'Messiah' and 'Cephas'. This shows John is writing for an audience unfamiliar with Hebrew and Aramaic customs. The scene is historically vivid: the walking, the turning, the direct conversation, the precise hour, all point to an eyewitness memory, consistent with the tradition that the gospel writer was himself one of the two disciples (Gill, Clarke).
This moment also represents the earliest stage of Jesus' gathering of followers. The Cambridge Bible notes that it was 'an earlier and less formal call' than the later calling by the Sea of Galilee. It was a gradual process: these men first spent time with Jesus, returned to their fishing, and later received a permanent call to discipleship. But the decisive step was taken here, in the wake of John the Baptist's testimony.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note one textual variant of significance: in verse 39, the more probable reading gives 'Come and you shall see' (future tense), rather than the simple imperative 'Come and see' (Cambridge Bible). The future tense adds a promise: the invitation leads to a definite outcome. Several early manuscripts support this reading. The other variant is the presence of 'for' before 'it was about the tenth hour' in some witnesses (Lange omits the conjunction, following the tradition that the hour is explanatory, not causal). Neither variant affects the essential meaning of the passage. The consulted sources note no other significant textual issues.
Reception History
From the earliest centuries, this passage has been treasured as the beginning of Jesus' gathering of the Twelve, the quiet foundation of the apostolic church. The identification of the unnamed disciple with John the evangelist goes back to Irenaeus and is repeated by commentators such as Clarke and Gill. The phrase 'Come and see' became a standard invitation in evangelistic preaching, especially in the Reformed and Wesleyan traditions, where the personal invitation to experience Christ was stressed over mere doctrinal argument. The 'tenth hour' has sometimes been interpreted symbolically: the nearness of evening representing the shortness of life or the urgency of decision. In the medieval church, the disciples' question 'Where dwellest thou?' was read as a longing for the indwelling Christ, a theme echoed in mystical writings and hymnody. Across traditions, the passage illustrates that the proper end of all prophetic ministry is to direct people to abide with Jesus.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Witness Steps Back: John the Baptist fulfils his vocation by pointing his own disciples away from himself and towards Christ (vv. 35-36). His humility and focus on the Lamb of God make the transfer possible.
- The Seekers Take a Step: The two disciples hear, respond, and begin to follow Jesus (v. 37). Their movement from hearing to action shows faith in motion.
- The Lord Opens the Door: Jesus turns, asks 'What seek ye?', and answers their deeper need with 'Come and see' (vv. 38-39). His invitation is immediate, personal, and leads to ongoing relationship.
Five-point outline
- John's repeated testimony (vv. 35-36), a second proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God, reinforcing the message.
- The disciples' decisive hearing (v. 37), they heard, understood, and followed; faith comes through the word they heard.
- Jesus' initiating question (v. 38a), 'What seek ye?' searches the heart and invites honest self-examination.
- The disciples' request for presence (v. 38b), 'Where are you staying?' shows they wanted more than a brief exchange; they desired abiding fellowship.
- Jesus' open invitation (v. 39), 'Come and see' becomes a pattern for evangelism: not a sales pitch, but an offer to experience Christ personally.
Illustration hooks
- Job transition: A trusted colleague recommends you for a better position at another company. You trust their judgment because they have your best interests at heart, just as John's disciples trusted his word about Jesus.
- House-hunting: You ask a prospective landlord 'Where exactly is the property?' before deciding to move in. The disciples are essentially asking Jesus about his 'address', the place of his presence and life.
- Extending an invitation: When a friend says 'Come over and see for yourself' about a new restaurant or experience, it is a confident offer that cannot be fully explained in words. Jesus' 'Come and see' is the same kind of personal invitation.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know when it is time to move from one season of ministry or teaching to another, as John's disciples left him to follow Jesus?
- What does it mean to 'stay' with Jesus in a practical, daily sense? The disciples spent one day with him, what would that look like for us?
- How can I invite others to 'come and see' without being pushy? Jesus' example shows that a simple, genuine offer can be the most effective.
Leading a Discussion
This passage captures a hinge moment: John the Baptist's disciples become Jesus' disciples. It raises questions about loyalty, seeking, and the nature of discipleship. As you discuss, notice the flow, from John's testimony to the disciples' action to Jesus' welcoming response. The group can explore what each character models.
Discussion questions
- What did John say that made his two disciples leave him and follow Jesus (vv. 35-36)? Why might they have been ready to respond?
- Jesus' first words in John's Gospel are a question: 'What are you looking for?' (v. 38). What might that question mean for someone just beginning to follow him? What would you answer if Jesus asked you that right now?
- The disciples answer with their own question: 'Where are you staying?' (v. 38). What does their question reveal about what they hoped to gain by following Jesus?
- Jesus' reply, 'Come and see,' uses a future tense in some early manuscripts: 'Come and you shall see' (v. 39). How does that nuance shape the invitation, does it promise something more than a quick look?
- Why does the evangelist remember that it was about the tenth hour (v. 39)? What does that detail add to the story?
- John the Baptist is not threatened when his disciples leave. What does this teach about healthy leadership and the ultimate goal of discipleship?
- In what ways can your group or church practise 'come and see', inviting people to experience Christ without pressure?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Malachi 3:16 | Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened and heard, and a book of memory was written before him for those who feared Yahweh and who honored his name. |
| John 3:25 | Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification. |
| John 3:26 | They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.” |
| Isaiah 45:22 | “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. |
| Isaiah 65:1 | “I am inquired of by those who didn’t ask. I am found by those who didn’t seek me. I said, ‘See me, see me,’ to a nation that was not called by my name. |
| Isaiah 65:2 | I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; |
| John 1:29 | The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! |
| Hebrews 12:2 | looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that John the Baptist's true sincerity is shown by how willingly his own disciples left him to follow Jesus. John had no desire to build his own following; his whole purpose was to point away from himself and toward the Messiah. The disciples' immediate decision to follow Jesus models the proper response to that witness.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that Christ does not wait to be approached; He takes the first step, seeking out even those who are wandering. The humble, small beginning of the Church with two unknown men actually magnifies Christ's glory, showing that His kingdom spreads wonderfully without human help. John's central message is that forgiveness of sins is found in Christ alone.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the unnamed disciple with Andrew was almost certainly John himself, explaining his silence as characteristic reserve. It treats this event as an early, informal call, with the disciples still John the Baptist's followers who simply followed Jesus to see where he stayed. The exact hour remembered shows this was a life-changing moment.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God at the very hour the daily evening lamb was being offered in the temple, linking the title directly to that sacrifice. He also notes that Jesus turned to speak first to the timid followers, gently drawing them into conversation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the quiet humility of John the Baptist, who repeats his proclamation only once and then steps aside, as well as the gentle, inviting tone of Jesus' first public words. Jesus' question "What seek ye?" and His reply "Come and see" are presented as remarkably winning, drawing disciples not by force but by personal invitation.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange stresses that Jesus first revealed His glory not through signs but through miraculous knowledge of the heart, discerning Nath
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights a striking gap between outward following and inward boldness. These people walked behind Jesus but lacked the courage to speak to him. Their physical proximity did not translate into open discipleship or personal engagement.