John 1:40 kjv

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

John 1:40 nkjv

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

John 1:40 niv

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.

John 1:40 esv

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

John 1:40 nlt

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus.

John 1 verses

John 1 40 Meaning

John 1:40 identifies Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, as one of the two disciples of John the Baptist who heard John point to Jesus as the "Lamb of God" and subsequently chose to follow Jesus. This verse marks a pivotal moment, as Andrew becomes one of Jesus's earliest named disciples and, crucially, establishes the connection that would lead Simon (Peter) to Jesus.

John 1 40 Context

John 1:40 follows directly from John the Baptist's repeated testimony concerning Jesus (John 1:29, 36) and the initial response of two of John's disciples. In John 1:35-39, John the Baptist again points to Jesus as the "Lamb of God," prompting his two disciples to follow Jesus. They spend the rest of the day with Jesus, discovering where He was staying. Verse 40 identifies one of these two unnamed disciples as Andrew, providing his name and crucial family connection to Simon Peter. Many scholars infer the other unnamed disciple to be the Gospel author himself (John), giving weight to the eyewitness account.

Historically and culturally, the Jewish context of discipleship (talmidim) involved a student committing fully to a rabbi, living with him, and learning from his teachings and way of life. John's disciples leaving him to follow Jesus was not a betrayal but the natural outcome of John's prophetic role – to prepare the way for and point people to the Messiah. This verse illustrates the very first transfer of allegiance and the nascent formation of Jesus's inner circle.

John 1 40 Word analysis

• One of the two (Εἷς ἐκ τῶν δύο - Heis ek tōn duo): This precise phrasing immediately identifies Andrew as one of the pair who encountered Jesus. The deliberate withholding of the name of the second disciple (Jn 1:37, 39) leads many to conclude it was the Evangelist John himself, reinforcing the eyewitness nature of the account. It also implies the special significance of the event.
• which heard (τῶν ἀκουσάντων - tōn akousantōn): This past participle emphasizes their active listening and reception of John the Baptist's words. Their hearing led to action, underscoring the importance of discerning and responding to prophetic testimony about Jesus.
• John speak (παρὰ Ἰωάννου - para Iōannou): Refers to John the Baptist. His words ("Behold, the Lamb of God!") were the catalyst. John the Baptist fulfilled his purpose by directing his own followers away from himself and towards Jesus, the true Messiah.
• and followed him (καὶ ἀκολουθησάντων αὐτῷ - kai akolouthēsantōn autō): Akoloutheō is a core Greek verb meaning "to follow" and is crucial in the Gospels for describing discipleship. It implies more than merely walking behind someone; it denotes becoming an adherent, a learner, and an imitator. This immediate action highlights their readiness to leave their previous teacher and commit to Jesus based on John's powerful witness.
• was Andrew (Ἀνδρέας ἦν - Andreas ēn): Andrew's name is Greek, meaning "manly" or "courageous." He is the first disciple explicitly named by the author of John's Gospel as directly encountering Jesus and deciding to follow Him, distinguishing him even before Peter is identified. His prompt identification is a historical anchor for the narrative.
• Simon Peter's brother (ὁ ἀδελφὸς Σίμωνος Πέτρου - ho adelphos Simōnos Petrou): This important identifying phrase links Andrew to one of the most prominent future apostles, even before Simon himself is brought to Jesus or given the name Peter. It immediately foreshadows the significance of Peter's forthcoming introduction and the pivotal role Andrew will play in that introduction. It also points to the importance of family connections in the spread of the early faith.

John 1 40 Bonus section

• The Unnamed Disciple: The traditional identification of the "other" unnamed disciple in John 1:35-39, who accompanies Andrew, as John, the author of the Gospel, carries significant weight. It places the Evangelist as an eyewitness from the very beginning of Jesus's public ministry, giving strong credence to his testimony. It emphasizes the personal, transformative nature of meeting Jesus.
• The Johannine vs. Synoptic Calling: John's Gospel presents a different initial "call" of these disciples compared to the Synoptics (Matt 4, Mk 1, Lk 5). Here, they already disciples of John the Baptist, are introduced to Jesus, spend time with Him, and choose to follow. The Synoptic accounts depict Jesus calling them later from their fishing boats, issuing the definitive command "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Both are complementary perspectives, one highlighting the theological transition and personal seeking, the other focusing on the vocational, kingdom-oriented call.
• Andrew's Consistency: Throughout the Gospels, Andrew is depicted as the one who brings people to Jesus, often working behind the scenes. This verse initiates that consistent pattern, demonstrating that spiritual influence often spreads through personal networks and humble initiatives rather than grand gestures.

John 1 40 Commentary

John 1:40 acts as a precise narrative identifier, transitioning the general description of "two disciples" from the previous verses into a specific naming of Andrew. This meticulous detail underscores the historical veracity and eyewitness nature of John's Gospel. Andrew, despite being less prominent than his brother Peter in the overall narrative, emerges here as a vital early follower of Jesus. His immediate decision to follow Christ, based on John the Baptist's simple yet profound declaration, showcases authentic faith responding to truth. The connection to "Simon Peter's brother" is a subtle but powerful foreshadowing; it’s a relational anchor that not only identifies Andrew but also primes the reader for the significant introduction of Simon, whom Jesus will later rename Cephas or Peter. Andrew embodies the theme of individual response to Jesus, acting as a link, quietly bringing others (first Peter, then the boy with loaves, later the Greeks) to Christ, making him a model for unassuming evangelism. This verse thus establishes the foundational structure of Jesus's community, built upon direct encounters and personal witness, often originating within families or close relationships.