35 On the next day, John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 And the two disciples heard him speak and followed Jesus. 38 And when Jesus turned and noticed them following, He *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. 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 first *found his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. When Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
43 On the next day, He desired to go into Galilee, and He *found Philip. And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, 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 And 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 about him, “Behold, truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael *said to Him, “From where 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.” John 1: 35-51 LSB
John 1: 35-51
V. 35 On the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples - This refers to John the Baptist, and one of the two disciples, Andrew, is named later in verse 40. Now these two are disciples of the Baptist, and some suggest the other of the two to be the apostle John, which I believe is fitting since he never names himself directly throughout his gospel. This is during the early part of Jesus ministry, and the disciples are more loosely connected to Him at this time, this is before the call to them to leave everything behind. They have heard the preaching of John the Baptist, and they will hear the teachings of Christ, but they are not yet Apostles.
V. 36 Behold, the Lamb of God - The Jewish people were well acquainted with bringing lambs to Jerusalem for the Passover, this was God's Lamb. It was not a picture like that of an animal's life for the sins of humans, no, every other sacrificial lamb, dove or goat was pointing to the One God would provide. Many think John to be a prophet, he has acknowledged that he is the voice of one calling in the wilderness when interrogated by the Jewish leaders, and here he does not point to himself, but to Christ, acknowledging His position as the Lamb of God. True teachers always point to Christ. It is also interesting to note that these people, as familiar with the sacrifice as they are, as familiar with the teaching of the prophets, the same prophets, about a coming Kingdom, would bypass this first declaration, this most necessary sequence. They are enamored with the idea of Messiah, Kingship, of a recovered Davidic empire, but not the idea of the Suffering Servant, that first He must lay down His life in order that they might have life. He is their kinsman Redeemer.
…21Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. 22Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.… Isaiah 45: 21-23
1“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ 2All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations, 3to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,… Isaiah 65: 1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.… Hebrews 12: 1-3
…19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake. 21Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.… 1 Peter 1: 19-21
Followed Jesus - These two disciples of John the Baptist heard what John was saying and saw to Who he was pointing, and started following Jesus.
Behold, the Lamb of God - As noted above behold is actually a command (aorist imperative) so John is addressing two of his very own disciples charging them not just to "look" at Jesus, but in essence (from the context) to follow Him. John's humility should not be missed! How tempting it would have been for John to desire to keep these two disciples under his charge, for he was man with a nature just like we have (fallen flesh is selfish and desires "self-glorification"). And yet he encouraged (in essence commanded) them to follow Jesus. John's "mantra" clearly was "He (present tense = continually) must (not optional!) (dei in present tense = continually) increase (present tense = "be increasing"), but I must (dei in present tense = continually not optional!) decrease (present tense = continually be decreasing)!" (John 3:30+). Beloved, enabled by the Spirit of Jesus, may we be imitators of John's humility (cf Heb 6:12+), remembering that "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble!" (James 4:6+). - Precept Austin
Macarthur points out a beautiful pattern here. These are two seekers, and they have found in John the Baptist a preacher, a proclaimer. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, God calls men to seek Him, provides men that declare Him through His word, pastors who point to Jesus upon Whom that faith, which is ignited in them by the Grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, can come to rest on the object of Christ.
6Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. 7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.… Matthew 7: 6-8
…16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely. 18I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.… Revelation 22: 16-18
…13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”… Romans 10: 13-15
V. 40 Was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother - They were fishermen, brothers that knew other fishermen near them, they heard the Baptist and now they want to learn more about the One to Whom he pointed.
V. 41 He first found his own brother Simon - After meeting Jesus, Andrew wanted to find someone and tell them, and he went first to his brother, his fishing partner. Andrew was one of the first evangelists. Imagine, after 400 years without any prophets, you now have John the Baptist calling men to repent in order to make the way straight, that the King is coming. Then he points Him out and says, this is the Lamb of God. The Jews are under Roman rule, have been experiencing the times of the Gentiles since northern Israel was led off by Assyria and then Judah was taken by Babylon. These are the words that every believing Jew wanted to hear, "we have found the Messiah". How exciting that would be, but how difficult too, for we make scenarios in our minds, even when we acknowledge God's word to be just that, yet we will have an idea of how we want to see this go, how long it should take before the Kingdom is realized and what that looks like. Just like the Baptist, Jesus will come under scrutiny by those who want a king to deliver them from Rome, but are too self righteous to acknowledge their deeper need.
Wiersbe points out that "Kings were especially called “God’s anointed” (1 Sam. 26:11; Ps. 89:20); so, when the Jews spoke about their Messiah, they were thinking of the king who would come to deliver them and establish the kingdom. There was some confusion among the Jewish teachers as to what the Messiah would do. Some saw Him as a suffering sacrifice (as in Isa. 53 - see Jewish Tradition of Two Messiahs), while others saw a splendid king (as in Isa. 9 and 11). Jesus had to explain even to His own followers that the cross had to come before the crown, that He must suffer before He could enter into His glory (Luke 24:13–35). Whether or not Jesus was indeed the Messiah was a crucial problem that challenged the Jews in that day (John 7:26, 40–44; 9:22; 10:24).(BEC)
Yes they found the Messiah, but the truth is the Messiah found them! Spurgeon writes "Do not get worrying yourselves, as some of you do, about God's eternal purpose, and about the secret working of the Holy Spirit, and about how this can be consistent with your following Christ when he bids you. They are perfectly consistent. Some persons have asked me at times to reconcile these two things; and I have said to them, "Very well, tell me the difficulties, and I will reconcile them . . .” There is no quarrel between them, and I have no time to waste on needless argument. Come you to Christ; and if you do, it will be because the Holy Spirit draws you. If you find the Saviour, it will be because the Saviour first found you. Perhaps, in heaven, you may see some difficulties, and get them explained; down here, you need not see them, and you need not ask to have them explained. Salvation is all of God's grace, from first to last; yet is it true that the grace of God leads men to do what Moses did, according to our subject this morning,—to make a choice and to choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. God grant that you may make an equally wise choice! - Precept Austin
V. 42 You shall be called Cephas - Simon gets a name change to Cephas, meaning rock, which is also translated Peter, and Jesus prophecies about Peter too. He is going to have a ministry as a leader in the church, whose preaching will be foundational to the birth of the church that Christ is building. Peter is one of the pillars.
…17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”… Matthew 16: 17-19
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 25 For David says of Him,
‘I saw the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;
27 Because You will not forsake my soul to Hades,
Nor give Your Holy One over to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’
29 “Men, brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to set one of the fruit of his body on his throne, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither forsaken to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord
“Sit at My right hand
35
Until I put Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet.”’
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
About Three Thousand Souls Saved
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men, brothers, what should we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly bore witness and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Acts 2: 22-42 Peter's sermon at Pentecost.
…4Have we no right to food and to drink? 5Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?… 1 Corinthians 9: 4-6
V. 46 Can any good thing come out of Nazareth - Phillip believes that this is the One Who Moses and the prophets spoke of in spite of His being from Nazareth and being the Son of an ordinary man, a carpenter.
15The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him. 16This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!”… Deuteronomy 18:15
…5For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.… Isaiah 9: 5-7
V. 47 An Israelite in whom there is no deceit - Jesus peels layers away here, and Nathaniel is probably a man of discernment, slow to take a compliment, but Jesus looks at the heart and sees a true seeker, a penitent. So Nathaniel ask, "from where do You know me", and Jesus tells him that he saw him before Philip found him, a sign of Christ's omniscience. In other words, "how do you know my heart?" Jesus answer, "I know everything."
V. 49 Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel - Now they have a long way to go from here, and all this that seems evident to them now will be challenged, their faith will be tested, and they will be shaken. Judas is yet to come and he will not pass the test, discipleship to Christ will be in a way that he would never sign up for, and as he discovers this he will become more enraged, more let down, because he doesn't have a cross in his ideal for the Messiah, it does not precede the kingdom in his eschatology.
V. 50 You will see greater things than these - You will see the heavens open and the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Son of Man is a reference Jesus uses for Himself and can be found in Daniel. The heavens open will be familiar for these Jewish men who have heard the readings from Moses, the law and the prophets. This describes Jesus' ministry, the miracles that will take place will utilize His elect angels. They will minister unto Him. Jacob, the patriarch, had this vision, to see how God would fulfill His promise to his grandfather Abraham.
…13In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. 14And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7: 13-14
10Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11And he reached [†]a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it [†]under his head and lay down in that place. 12Then he had a dream, and behold, a [†]ladder stood on the earth with its top touching heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13And behold, Yahweh stood [†]above it and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your seed. 14And your seed will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will [†]spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go. And I will bring you back to this land; for I will not forsake you until I have done what I have [†]promised you.” 16Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17And he was afraid and said, “How fearsome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18So Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put [†]under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. 19And he called the name of that place [†]Bethel; however, [†]previously the name of the city had been Luz. 20Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey on which I am going, and will give me [†]food to eat and garments to wear, 21and I return to my father’s house in peace, then Yahweh will be my God. 22Now this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” Genesis 28: 10-22
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