John 1:35 kjv

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

John 1:35 nkjv

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.

John 1:35 niv

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.

John 1:35 esv

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,

John 1:35 nlt

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples.

John 1 verses

John 1 35 Meaning

John chapter 1, verse 35 signifies a pivotal moment in the New Testament narrative, marking the continuation of John the Baptist's testimony concerning Jesus. It describes John the Baptist again standing with two of his disciples, a prelude to his crucial declaration about Jesus in the very next verse. This sets the stage for the first disciples to follow Jesus, establishing the initial steps of the Lord’s ministry and the gathering of His inner circle. It underscores John's role as a forerunner, faithfully pointing others to the true Lamb of God, demonstrating his humility and selfless dedication to his God-given mission.

John 1 35 Context

John 1:35 continues the narrative flow from the preceding section of John’s Gospel, which primarily details the identity and mission of John the Baptist in relation to Jesus the Christ. The initial verses (John 1:1-18) form the majestic prologue, establishing Jesus' pre-existence, deity, and role as the light and life of humanity. This is followed by John the Baptist's testimony, where he identifies himself not as the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet (John 1:19-28), but as a voice preparing the way for the Lord. Crucially, in John 1:29 and John 1:34, John the Baptist points to Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" and explicitly testifies that Jesus "is the Son of God." Verse 35 picks up "the next day" from these declarations, emphasizing the specific, historical progression of events. John the Baptist, in fulfilling his role, deliberately directs his own disciples away from himself and towards Jesus, initiating the formation of Jesus' direct following and signaling a transition from the Old Covenant expectation to the New Covenant reality embodied in Christ.

John 1 35 Word analysis

• Again (Πάλιν - Palin): This Greek adverb signifies repetition or return. Its inclusion indicates a deliberate continuation from the events of the previous day (John 1:29-34) and specifically refers back to John the Baptist's act of seeing and identifying Jesus. It highlights the sustained nature of John's witness and underscores the specific sequence of events recorded in John's Gospel.
• The next day (τῇ ἐπαύριον - tē epaurion): This temporal phrase marks a specific chronological progression, characteristic of John's Gospel which often notes precise days (e.g., John 1:29, 39, 43, 2:1). It builds a sequence of divine revelations and events, indicating a concentrated period of activity in Jesus' early ministry and John's continued public testimony. This structuring emphasizes the intentionality of the events unfolding.
• John (ὁ Ἰωάννης - ho Ioannēs): Refers to John the Baptist, clearly distinguishing him from John the Apostle, the presumed author of this Gospel. He serves as a divine instrument to point others to Christ.
• Was standing (εἱστήκει - heistēkei): From the verb ἵστημι (histēmi), "to stand." The imperfect tense suggests a continuing state or action, not a casual pass-by. It implies a posture of readiness, watchfulness, and perhaps public presence, prepared to continue his ministry of witnessing. This stable position contrasts with Jesus "walking," highlighting John's role as one who testifies about the one who comes and goes.
• And two of his disciples (καὶ ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο - kai ek tōn mathētōn autou duo): This phrase indicates that John the Baptist, as a prominent religious figure, had his own following, similar to other teachers or rabbis of the time. The mention of "two" (later revealed as Andrew and another, likely John the Apostle) is significant, as it provides witnesses to John's further testimony and signifies the crucial transfer of allegiance from John to Jesus. This demonstrates John’s unique leadership, not building a kingdom for himself, but willingly transferring his followers to Jesus.

Word-Group Analysis

• "Again the next day John was standing": This phrase sets the scene with deliberate continuity. "Again" links it to John 1:29-34, confirming that John the Baptist maintained his post, remaining ready to testify about Jesus. "The next day" indicates precise chronology in John's narrative. John "standing" implies his steadfast presence, ready to fulfill his divine purpose as the forerunner. This portrays him not as a seeker, but as one who stands prepared to reveal.
• "And with two of his disciples": This signifies the immediate context for John's renewed testimony. It highlights his role as a spiritual mentor whose guidance leads others towards truth. The presence of these two disciples is crucial as they are the very ones who, prompted by John's testimony in the next verse, will begin to follow Jesus directly, marking the inception of Jesus' personal following and their own spiritual journeys with the Christ. It foreshadows the calling of the apostles.
• "John was standing with two of his disciples": This entire segment emphasizes John the Baptist’s final preparatory work before yielding his ministry. It indicates his position of influence as a teacher with dedicated followers. His act of "standing" is a symbol of his resolved commitment to his calling—not to retain followers, but to redirect them to the One he prepares the way for. This moment marks a deliberate shift from John's active recruiting role to his role as a signpost.

John 1 35 Bonus section

• The precise dating ("the next day") found throughout John 1 is not mere happenstance but signals a week-long revelation sequence. This chapter outlines the first few days of Jesus’ public ministry, suggesting an intentional unfolding of His identity and calling of His first followers.
• The number "two" disciples (later revealed as Andrew and, most likely, John the Evangelist himself) holds significance. In Jewish tradition, two witnesses provided sufficient testimony (Deut 19:15, Matt 18:16). This initial pair, through their witness to Peter (John 1:41) and others, signifies the ripple effect of genuine discipleship.
• The verse indirectly highlights a core tenet of John's ministry: he was a transition figure, a bridge between the old dispensation and the new. He actively facilitates the "transfer" of his own followers to Jesus, demonstrating ultimate humility and obedience to God's purpose, rather than self-aggrandizement.

John 1 35 Commentary

John 1:35 serves as a deliberate setup for the initial formation of Jesus’ core group of disciples. It underscores John the Baptist's selfless fulfillment of his prophetic role. He does not seek to retain followers or build his own movement, but rather, his posture ("was standing") and companionship ("with two of his disciples") are deliberate preparations for him to again point directly to Jesus. This second day's encounter with Jesus (following the previous day's identification in John 1:29) emphasizes the clarity and consistency of John’s witness. The fact that he is accompanied by his disciples at this precise moment highlights the intended impact of his declaration: they are to hear his testimony and respond. This scene marks the beginning of the crucial transition where those prepared by John’s ministry are now directly introduced to and drawn towards the Lamb of God, signifying the dawn of a new era. It demonstrates true leadership not as retaining followers, but as faithfully directing them to the ultimate source of truth.