John 1:41 kjv
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
John 1:41 nkjv
He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).
John 1:41 niv
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).
John 1:41 esv
He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ).
John 1:41 nlt
Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ" ).
John 1 41 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:15 | "And I will put enmity between you and the woman... | Protoevangelium; promise of one to come |
| Deut 18:15 | "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet..." | Prophecy of a greater prophet/Messiah |
| 2 Sam 7:12 | "...I will raise up your offspring after you..." | Davidic covenant; promise of eternal kingdom |
| Psa 2:2 | "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers... | Messianic Psalm; the Lord's Anointed |
| Isa 9:6 | "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..." | Prophecy of Messiah's divine titles |
| Isa 11:1-5 | "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse..." | Description of the Messiah's characteristics |
| Jer 23:5 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I.. | Promise of a righteous Branch (Messiah) |
| Dan 9:25 | "Know therefore and understand that from the going out..." | Prophecy of the coming Anointed One |
| Mic 5:2 | "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be.. | Messiah's birthplace |
| Mal 3:1 | "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way." | Foreshadowing of John the Baptist and the Messiah |
| Matt 4:18-19 | "While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers.. | Jesus calls Peter and Andrew directly |
| Matt 16:16 | "Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of... | Peter's great confession of Jesus' identity |
| Mk 1:16-17 | "And passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon... | Disciples called by Jesus to follow Him |
| Lk 2:25-26 | "...there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon... | Simeon waiting for the "Christ of the Lord" |
| Jn 1:36-37 | "and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God!' The two disciples.. | John the Baptist points to Jesus |
| Jn 1:45 | "Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found.. | Spreading the news from person to person |
| Jn 4:25-26 | "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming...' | Samaritan woman acknowledges the coming Messiah |
| Jn 4:29 | "'Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did...' | Sharing personal encounter with others |
| Jn 4:42 | "...we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this.. | Personal confirmation of Jesus as Savior |
| Acts 2:36 | "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain.. | Peter declares Jesus as both Lord and Christ |
| Acts 8:4 | "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the... | Dispersed believers shared the Good News |
| 1 Cor 1:23-24 | "...we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews.. | Centrality of Christ in early Christian preaching |
| Gal 4:4 | "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth.. | God's perfect timing for sending the Messiah |
John 1 verses
John 1 41 Meaning
John 1:41 recounts Andrew's immediate and fervent declaration to his brother Simon (Peter) that they had discovered the long-awaited Messiah, a title John clarifies for his readers as "Christ." This verse marks the swift and personal propagation of the news of Jesus' identity, flowing from a direct encounter with Him to an intimate family connection, initiating the gathering of the first disciples.
John 1 41 Context
John 1:41 is set within the opening narrative of Jesus' public ministry in John's Gospel. Preceded by John the Baptist's testimony identifying Jesus as the "Lamb of God" (Jn 1:29, 36), two of John the Baptist's disciples (Andrew and another, likely John himself) begin to follow Jesus (Jn 1:37-39). After spending time with Jesus, Andrew is immediately moved to seek out his brother, Simon. This moment highlights the chain reaction of discipleship—from John the Baptist's testimony to a direct encounter with Jesus, leading to personal conviction and the urgent desire to share that conviction with others, particularly those closest to them. The historical and cultural context is crucial: the Jewish people, for centuries, had anticipated the arrival of the Messiah, based on numerous Old Testament prophecies. Various understandings of the Messiah existed, ranging from a conquering king who would free Israel from Roman rule to a prophetic figure or a spiritual leader. The declaration "We have found the Messiah" directly addresses these deeply ingrained expectations, asserting Jesus as the fulfillment of their national hope.
John 1 41 Word analysis
- He: Refers to Andrew (from John 1:40), emphasizing the immediate initiative taken by him after his personal encounter with Jesus.
- first: The Greek word is prōtos (πρῶτος). This can mean "first in time" or "first in importance/priority." Here, it signifies the urgency and immediacy of Andrew's action before any other mentioned activity, possibly even before his unnamed companion in John 1:40, or indicating his swiftness to tell his brother specifically.
- found: The Greek term is heuriskō (εὑρίσκω), meaning "to find" after a search, to discover, or to come upon unexpectedly. In this context, it conveys a profound discovery and certainty, suggesting a fulfillment of an internal spiritual longing or expectation rather than a casual encounter. It implies active pursuit and successful discovery.
- his own brother Simon: This highlights the deeply personal and familial connection through which the Good News spreads initially. The natural inclination is to share life-altering news with loved ones. "Simon" later receives the name "Peter" from Jesus (Jn 1:42), signifying his foundational role.
- and said to him: Direct and personal communication, indicative of a direct verbal testimony born from a personal experience.
- We have found: The use of the plural pronoun indicates a shared conviction and experience, likely including John (the son of Zebedee) and possibly others who heard John the Baptist's testimony and spent time with Jesus. It carries a sense of collective certainty and joy in their discovery.
- the Messiah: The Greek term is Messias (Μεσσίας), a direct transliteration of the Hebrew Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ). It means "Anointed One." In Jewish tradition, this title referred to the divinely chosen deliverer, king, or prophet, specifically promised in the Old Testament, who would establish God's kingdom. Its use here immediately conveys fulfillment of prophetic hope.
- which, being interpreted, is Christ: This is the Evangelist John's explanatory note for his primarily Gentile audience. Christos (Χριστός) is the Greek translation of Mashiach ("Anointed One"). By including this clarification, John ensures that readers from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds understand the monumental significance of the title. It signifies that Jesus is the specific Anointed One predicted and awaited.
John 1 41 Bonus section
Andrew's immediate action to bring his brother to Jesus highlights the ripple effect of evangelism. His consistency in this role is noted elsewhere (e.g., in Jn 6:8-9, where he points out the boy with the loaves and fish, and in Jn 12:22, where he and Philip bring Greeks to Jesus), solidifying his character as a "bringer" of others to the Lord. This verse also implicitly contrasts common Jewish expectations of the Messiah (e.g., a political liberator) with Jesus' actual identity as perceived by His earliest followers, laying the groundwork for deeper revelations of His person and work in John's Gospel. The transition from calling Jesus "Rabbi" (Jn 1:38) to declaring Him "the Messiah" indicates a profound and swift understanding of His unique identity.
John 1 41 Commentary
John 1:41 serves as a foundational verse illustrating the primary method of Gospel transmission in the early church and throughout history: personal testimony rooted in a profound encounter with Jesus Christ. Andrew, upon spending time with Jesus and recognizing His true identity, feels an immediate compulsion to share this life-altering discovery with his brother, Simon. His declaration, "We have found the Messiah," is a pivotal moment, confirming Jesus' divine appointment as the Anointed One who fulfills centuries of prophecy. The added parenthetical explanation "which, being interpreted, is Christ" by the evangelist underscores the universal significance of Jesus' identity beyond Jewish understanding. This verse concisely demonstrates that personal belief leads to witness, often beginning with those closest to us, and that acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah (Christ) is the core of discipleship. Andrew's action sets a pattern for bringing others to Jesus, becoming a bridge for his brother, who would later become a pillar of the early church.