John 1:35-50 Do you follow HIM?

The Calling of the Disciples: Coming to Jesus
As a result of the Gospel of John, we are so far aware of the eternal being of Jesus as the Word, Light and God. We are also acquainted with one of Jesus’ relatives whose name is John. He baptizes while having followers of his own. This John is communicated to us as one with a specific paramount purpose requiring intimate knowledge of Jesus and himself. The last two paragraphs of this first chapter, John 1:35-51, articulate the transfer of followers from John to Jesus. Each of these converts make the transfer in different ways. And as we consider each of these converts we will discover our personal relational mandate with the Word, Light and God as children of God.

According to John: Chapter 1: 35-51
35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." 50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

vv 35-42
Verse 35 The gospel writer records that the events that follow are the next day from John (the baptizer). John is with two of disciples: Andrew and probably John the Disciple.
Verse 36 Again we have John declaring Jesus to be the Lamb of God who deals with the sin of the world. Who do you declare Jesus to be?
The idea of Jesus interacting with the sin of the world is introduced by John early in his gospel. How Jesus is going to deal with sin will be revealed as we walk with John through his gospel. At this point, as first brought out in verse 29, we must consider the manner in which Jesus is going to “take” away the world’s sin. ὁ αἴρων Masculine Singular Nominative Present Active Participle meaning: to raise up, lift up, carry or bear with the definite article: ‘Jesus is the One who continually takes on the sin of the world.’ Liddell gives further contextual Greek meanings for the active voice involving seizing up, snatching up, mounting up, brailing or hoist up. The active form distinguishes this verb from being translated: to raise up as in exalt or to lift and take away as in remove. This verb form allows the subject to act on the object without exalting the object or destroying the object. The subject simply takes the object as its own. This verb form is always in the now and active with indications of Jesus embodying the action of the verb. He is our forever and continual ‘taker on of sin’ Lamb of God. He is the Word, He is the God. Please forgive my crude grammatical expression, but it seemed the only way to get my point across about the profundity of my God. Jesus, as we will see, will take on sin instead of disposing of sin or instead of exalting sin. He will deal with the sin of the world for He is the Lamb of God. This is a direct fulfillment of the Old Testament ritual of the sacrificial lamb. Jesus is the Sin-Bearer.
Verse 37 The two disciples are Andrew and probably John the disciple and the author of this gospel. They heard and they followed. You can’t get any more childlike obedience than that. They heard and they followed. The word ἠκολούθησαν is in the 3rd Person Aorist Active Indicative form of ἀκολουθέω: to follow; follow one, go after or with him, freq. of soldiers and slaves. The aorist is said to be "simple occurrence" or "summary occurrence", without regard for the amount of time taken to accomplish the action. This tense is also often referred to as the 'punctiliar' tense. 'Punctiliar' in this sense means 'viewed as a single, collective whole,' a "one-point-in-time" action, although it may actually take place over a period of time. The active voice indicates that the subject is doing the action of the verb.
Verse 38 As Jesus asked John and Andrew, He asks you, “What do you seek?”
Verse 39 Jesus’ invitation to all who will hear Him is to “come.” You may not see right now, but only as you follow Him will you see. Andrew and John followed, what about you? These two, possibly the strong silent type, asked to go where Jesus was lodging so they could have some privacy. They wished to answer but did not feel that the road was the place for such life changing conversations.
Verse 40 Andrew is officially identified. His brother is Simon Peter.
Verse 41 Andrew plays a vital role in Simon coming to Jesus. He brings him to Him by stating what he, himself, has discovered. Having a problem with your evangelistic efforts? If so, or if not, then establish or reestablish a relationship with Israel’s Messiah. His name is Jesus Christ.
Verse 42 Every time we see Andrew in scripture, he is bringing someone to Jesus. Here, he is bringing his brother Simon. In John 6:8-9, Andrew brings the lad to Jesus in the miracle of the 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish feeding 5,000 men with their wives and children. Then, he brings the Greeks to Jesus.
Upon Andrew bringing Simon to Jesus, Jesus changes Peter’s name to Cephas. Jesus changes one’s life that often times He changes their name to reflect the new life purpose. In other instances God changed Jacob to Israel, Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, and Saul to Paul. Has God affected your life in such a way that a name change is warranted?

vv 43-51
Verse 43 This paragraph introduces a new geographic location. It would do well for us to become familiar with the Galilean region which is the primary area in which Jesus live almost His entire life. The Sea of Galilee is 700 feet below sea level. It is about 144 feet deep. The area of Galilee is understood to be the land area west of the Sea of Galilee stretching westward to the Mediterranean Sea. This area is above what is called Samaria, which will also come into play in John’s gospel. The Jordan River supplies it from the north and drains it in the south on its way to the Dead Sea.
Cana and Nazareth are in the inland of the area which is characterized by sharp steep gorges. Bethsaida, Tiberias and Capernaum are the major ministry cities along the Sea of Galilee’s shore.

Jesus’ call to Philip was simply “Follow me.” ἀκολούθει is in the 2nd Singular Present Active Imperative form of ἀκολουθέω meaning ‘to follow;’ follow one, go after or with him, freq. of soldiers and slaves. The active voice indicates that the subject is doing the action of the verb. The imperative mood is a command or instruction given to the hearer, charging the hearer to carry out or perform a certain action.
Verse 44 Bethsaida is Philip’s hometown. It is also one of Jesus’ ministry hubs along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Verse 45 Philip finds Nathanael. This verse tells us of Philip’s understanding of Christ. Major Old Testament testimonies are listed by John in Philip’s articulation to Nathanael. Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus the son of Joseph. Both of these link Jesus by fulfilling prophecies.
Verse 46 Here through verse 50 we have the Nathanael’s question based faith profession journey. He asks two questions. The first regards Jesus’ origin and flat out significance in this world.
Verse 47 Jesus sees Nathanael approaching, brought by Philip and makes an incredibly insightful yet non condemning statement about Nathanael. The word translated ‘deceit’ is δόλος from meaning A. bait for fish: hence, any cunning contrivance for deceiving or catching, as the net in which catches; mouse-trap. b. generally, any trick or stratagem, etc.: in plural, wiles, etc. 2. in the abstract, craft, cunning, treachery, 3. spy. Nathanael was from Bethsaida, a fishing town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and Jesus uses a largely fishing term to describe this man’s demeanor. Nathanael was a man who did not have hidden agendas. As blunt as he may be, as we saw from his question in verse 46, he did not have any catches or baiting in mind in which to abuse or manipulate Jesus. Therefore, you can ask questions about Jesus and still be innocent of treachery. Ask in all humility without cunning and He will answer you.
Verse 48 Second, Nathanael asks a question regarding Jesus’ knowledge of him by using a widely know fishing term to describe his character. Nathanael asks, ‘How do you know me that well?’ Not, ‘Who told you of me?’ Jesus must have hit Nathanael’s character right on the head. Jesus answered, I saw you Nathanael. Does that bother you? That Jesus, in one word, can describe you. He is able to see you for you cannot hide even in the dark, for He is the LIGHT. Where He is there is no darkness, for darkness is nothing but the absence of LIGHT.
Verse 49 Nathanael correctly gives us Jesus. He is Rabbi, a teacher. He is the Son of God (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ), not a Son of God, as if there are many other sons of god. He is King of Israel. The Greek (Westcott-Hort) does not have the definite article with ‘King of Israel.’
Verse 50 Jesus answers Nathanael by stretching him in his faith. The magnificent happenings of events that will be seen are carried into verse 51. Jesus also stretches our faith by saying 'you haven't seen anything yet.' You think that you have encountered Christ and Him at work, just wait and see. This thought of 'wait and see' will accompany us throughout John’s gospel.

Summary:
In this section, John 1:35-50, we have the record of some of the disciples coming to the Messiah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God and King of Israel for the first time. Andrew – Followed Jesus through John the baptizer’s words. John (the disciple, gospel author) - Followed Jesus through John the baptizer’s words. Simon Peter – Andrew went and got him and brought him to Jesus. Philip – Jesus found him. Nathanael – Philip found him and brought him to Jesus. He also had a long questioning discussion with Jesus.

Now, let’s take note of the calling of Jesus’ later followers: YOU. The question of ‘how’ is not the most important. The question of you being a follower of HIM is the MOST IMPORTANT issue? Do you follow HIM? Do you follow Him from a distance or through second hand information like the Pharisees and priests? Or, do you seek to spend time with Him, ‘where are you staying?’ Seek Him while He may be found.

John 1:19-34: Who are you? and Who do you know?

John 1:19-34
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 They asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, `MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,' as Isaiah the prophet said." 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, "Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 26 John answered them saying, "I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 "It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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! 30 "This is He on behalf of whom I said, `After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' 31 "I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water." 32 John testified saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 "I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, `He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' 34 "I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God."

Commentary
This section, John 1:19-34, contains two paragraphs covering John’s answer to questions regarding two individuals: Jesus and himself. With his correct and confident identification of the two, we resultantly find it necessary for us to also know Jesus and ourselves. This account of John’s testimony will allow us to see obstacles and victories by having those two pieces of knowledge not only known, but well rehearsed.
Verses 19-28
This paragraph continues our way through the first chapter with the plain “testimony of John (the baptizer).” When are doing great things for God, being a part of His Kingdom by impacting others to follow God, you will be confused with the authorities. “Who are you?” they asked John. Inquisitors and, later, credible followers will think that you are at the head of the cause; that you possess supernatural abilities and talents. Perhaps you will let all those accolades consume you by making you think that you are special. After all, where would they be without you, your leadership and your message? “Who are you?” they asked John. I ask you, “who are you?” John, as we are, was tempted, I am sure, to lay hold of the recognition supposedly due to him. But, he was asked and he refused to be identified with some of the greatest Biblical characters in all Israel. “I am NOT….” he said. Would you properly align yourself with a servant laying aside the labeling, as wrong as it was, to brag on the one whom all identification and recognition rests? John did, and so should we.
John took the opportunity of the questioning by the priests and Levites from Jerusalem to verbalize what would later be lived out. The “priests and Levites from Jerusalem” could be equated with IRS agents from Washington, DC coming to pay you a visit. These agents, as the priests and Levites did, are representatives of another authority. The priests and the Levites where errand boys on behalf of the Pharisees. Remember, that whatever information the Pharisees would get would be second hand. John will further unfold the role of Pharisees in the life of Jesus. And, we will need to remember how their first impression of Jesus was second hand.
Bethany beyond the Jordan refers to a town on the east side of the Jordan River about 5 miles north of the Dead Sea.
Verse 29 begins a new day. John is baptizing in Bethany beyond the Jordan and he sees Jesus. What a mighty proclamation of identifying the One who removes our sin from us. What is your proclamation of Him?
The priests and Levites appear to have returned to Jerusalem to give their account to the Pharisees. They are returning with incomplete information. They know who John is not but they did not find out the identity of the one John spoke.
Verse 30 states that Jesus “existed before” John. This is John’s statement to the fact that Jesus was eternal for John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:35-45), was Jesus’ older cousin. This is one citing that gives credence to John 1:1 and 14 “In the beginning was the Word…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Verse 31 lets us know that John did not always know that his cousin was born to be the One. At the time of him baptizing Jesus he then becomes awakened to the true identity of Jesus. John was willing to take on a support role in order to escort the Jesus to the nation of Israel. Who do you support in such a manner?

Verses 32 through 34 contain John’s account of the testimony of the Holy Spirit. This gospel, while being a topical account of the life of Jesus, will also do much to educate us on the person and role of the Holy Spirit. Here, as is customary throughout this gospel account, the Holy Spirit is clarifying the Son of God. Jesus, the Son of God, although previously unknown, is now identified as the One who baptizes (present active participle not future tense) with the Holy Spirit (πνεύματι ἁγίῳ ‘Holy Spirit’ not “Holy Ghost’). The baptizing (of the Holy Spirit), to some extent, happened during the life of Jesus which predates the Pentecost event in Acts 2.

Who are you like? Who more closely resembles you?
John: He knows himself and his role in the bigger picture. He is confident in that role so that he fields questions that might steer him off course. He dismisses opportunities to be mistakenly identified as someone of higher stature. He is humbly bold in proclaiming Jesus and His purpose to his circle of influence.
Priests and Levites: This group is serving as messengers by doing the bidding of another group. They might take the information they gather to heart, but they are largely asking questions for someone else. They appear inquisitive but we may wonder if they are acting on their own accord and possess original thought.
Pharisees: They do not dare to be seen with this ruffian. They send someone else to do their dirty work. They inquire by proxy. They are content to live their lives and make decisions based on third hand information.

Which of the above characters characterizes you? Be it said that there is nothing wrong with questions as long as the questions lead to a life characterized by John: knowing oneself and knowing Christ. Questions can be destructive if they are the shroud behind which we hide ourselves refusing to yield to the Eternal Word who is the Son of God.

John 1:1-18: Merry Christmas

The Gospel

According to John

Chapter One, Verses 1 through 18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, `He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' "16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Commentary

We are about to embark on one of the most simple yet complex theological journeys in the Bible and all of Christendom. It is the study of According to John. This gospel account is unlike the other three, Matthew, Mark and Luke, in that it is not an attempt to be chronologically correct. However, while holding to his intentional message, John does not throw chronological impact to the wind. In this gospel we have miracles, messages, names and relationships depicted like no other book in the Bible.

Regardless of your view of whether John actually wrote this account or whether it a compilation of his teachings by his followers, this gospel is worthy of our study for it was written after the other three gospels. And due to the late date this gospel can accurately be viewed as a gospel written by John who does not contradict the other three but simply wants to tell the story of Christ from his perspective.

With that said, I would like for us to walk together paragraph by paragraph through this incredible account of the life of Christ.

1:1-5

The first paragraph is vv. 1-5, according to the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament, is the first paragraph of the Prologue that continues through verse 18. John, like the other gospel writers, presents the Christmas story. He gives us the origination and the incarnation of God into our world. While Matthew, Mark and Luke desire for us to know the prophecies fulfilled through Mary, Joseph, Bethlehem, Herod, Egypt etc, John wants us to know from the beginning that Jesus is part of the God-head which is further explained in this Gospel.

The origin of the Word is eternal. In the Greek, Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος , the definite article is not present. Most English translations have the definite article italicized noting the Greek language. The most correct English translation is: “In beginning was the word,” My purpose here is to present the truth and not grapple with the many available falsities. Note carefully the Word's relationship with God is eternal.

The Word is the creating aspect of God. The Word is life which is the Light of men. Verse 5 gives us the first challenge of the Word as it manifests itself as Light. The darkness does not comprehend the Light. The word κατέλαβεν translates as 'comprehend'. This means “to seize upon, to lay hold to.” The Westcott-Hort Greek English Lexicon states the Greek society as reflected in non-Biblical Greek literature would hear the katelaben and think not of binding, holding down or repressing, but of seize with the mind, comprehend. The darkness could not and cannot understand the light.

1:6-8

Verse 6 introduces John (soon to be known as the baptizer) who is not to be confused with John the writer of this Gospel and a Disciple of Jesus. John’s purpose was to communicate the Light to the darkness.

1:9-13

Verse 10 tells of the need for the incarnation of the Word/Light and the need for John to be the liaison of the Light to the Darkness. “. . .and the world did not know Him.” Let me share with you a little bit concerning this word we translate as “know.” Here, it is ἔγνω which is the 3^rd Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative of γινώσκω. Another Greek word for “know” is οἶδα which also means to know but with a heady, mindful knowledge. γινώσκω carries with it the weight of experience. It is only as the world experiences the Light will it they benefit from His kindness by receiving the right to become children of God by the will of God.

Verse 11 The Word went to the Jews but they did not receive Him. All one has to do is read the Old Testament and you will see how the nation of Israel abandoned their trust in God over and over.

Verse 12 “BUT………….” This is the most grammatically significant word in the New Testament and probably any other language. It is the watershed mark of all contradictions. It distinguishes between all that is undesirable and what is by contrast beyond our imaginations. For here, in verse 12, He gave us the right to become children of God. Children are more than pottery, vines, and servants. Children are heirs and have their Father’s name. This issue of ‘name” will be with us as a constant companion through the Gospel of John. The Apostle Paul communicates to the church in Ephesus in the first chapter of Ephesians.

1:14-18

Verse 14 gives us John’s Christmas story: the Word becomes flesh (sarx) which actual meat and skin on bones and not to be confused with “mankind” or “humanity.” Do you hear the uniqueness of the Word being the only begotten, i.e. the one of a kind of the Father? He comes full of grace and truth. Keep those two terms in mind as we walk together through the Gospel of John. Grace is “unmerited favor.” You get the good things of God but you do not deserve the good things of God. Grace is different from Mercy in that mercy is “not getting what you deserve.” You do not get the judgments of God even though you deserve them. Truth in which there is no contradiction or darkness, no deception or shiftiness. The Word is FULL of these two qualities.

Verse 15 has John (the baptizer) telling us that even though he is older and the Word, the Word existed before him.

Verse 16 We receive grace upon grace: unmerited favor upon unmerited favor.

Verse 17 The Law is distinguished from grace and truth. New Testament Jews, which we will see, were observers of the Law in varying degrees. They epitomized the contrast of the two Greek words translated in English as “know.” They knew the Law in their heads but failed to experientially know, obey the Law which would make them doers of the Word, not just hearers only.

Verse 18 John, the author of the Gospel, gives us a brilliant revelation of the relationship between God and this unique Word who is in the bosom of the Father. The Word explains God and John gives us the unique picture of the life of Christ doing that. It could be said that the purpose of Christ's life was to present us to His Father.

Conclusion:

Based on what we observed in these first three paragraphs, how would you describe John’s overall subject matter? To answer this type of question, it is important to rely on basic literature study techniques. The presence of repeated terms is one way to identify the major subject matter of the writer. Some of the most repeated words in this prologue is “word,” “light,” and “grace.” All three of these describe the babe in John’s Christmas narrative. What would Christmas be like without the “word.” The story is told. Words of greetings are exchanged. Words are presented in song telling of the uniqueness spirit of the season. However, the eternal nature of the word transcends all of our cards, stories and songs to give us a glimpse of our eternal God with the Father and the Son. Regarding “light,” not much needs to be said to explain the significance of light at the Advent season. But, He is much more than decorative lights, and the Bethlehem star. He is the true LIGHT that shines in the darkness offering to men the right to become the sons of God. Finally, we consider “grace.” We need to understand that our wellbeing, as it is related to God, is due to His ‘favor, joy, and pleasure.’ What we have in Him, the right or power to be children of God, is a gift. We do not deserve these blessings. We simply receive and experience them and are forever thankful. Have you received and experienced the glorious and truthful Word? If not, receive His bidding on your life and live a life a gratitude to Him.