John 1:43 kjv
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
John 1:43 nkjv
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
John 1:43 niv
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
John 1:43 esv
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."
John 1:43 nlt
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me."
John 1 43 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 4:18-22 | ...Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon...and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea...And he said to them, “Follow me...Immediately they left their nets and followed him... | Jesus calls the first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. |
| Mark 1:16-20 | Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew...And Jesus said to them, “Follow me...And immediately they left their nets and followed him... | Similar calling narrative in Mark. |
| Luke 5:27-28 | After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi...And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. | Jesus calls Levi, who immediately responds. |
| Luke 9:59 | To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” | Another call to follow, highlighting cost. |
| Luke 9:23 | And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." | The comprehensive demands of discipleship. |
| John 1:40-42 | One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother...He first found his own brother Simon...and brought him to Jesus. | The immediate preceding context of Jesus calling other disciples. |
| John 1:44 | Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. | Connects Philip to the location of other early disciples. |
| John 1:45 | Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote..." | Philip's immediate response to Jesus's call by evangelizing. |
| John 6:5-7 | When Jesus lifted up his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” | Jesus specifically addresses Philip later. |
| John 12:20-22 | Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip...and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” | Greeks come to Philip, highlighting his role. |
| John 14:8-9 | Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?" | Philip's direct interaction with Jesus at the Last Supper. |
| John 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” | The spiritual implication of following Jesus. |
| John 6:44 | No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. | Divine initiative in drawing people to Jesus. |
| John 15:16 | You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide... | Jesus's sovereignty in choosing His disciples. |
| Isa 42:6 | I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant to the people, a light for the nations... | Prophetic calling of a chosen servant, echoing divine election. |
| John 1:29 | The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” | John's repeated use of "the next day." |
| John 1:35 | The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples... | Continuation of the narrative pattern in John. |
| John 2:1 | On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. | Further rapid progression of Jesus's early ministry. |
| John 4:3 | he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. | Jesus's recurrent movement to Galilee. |
| Jer 31:3 | ...I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. | God's loving initiative in drawing His people. |
| Ps 23:6 | Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life... | Concept of following or being followed, here applied to divine blessing. |
John 1 verses
John 1 43 Meaning
John 1:43 details Jesus's deliberate decision to travel to Galilee and His active initiation in calling Philip to become one of His disciples with a direct command, "Follow me." This verse marks a progression in the early formation of Jesus's inner circle, demonstrating His sovereign purpose in gathering those who would join Him in His ministry.
John 1 43 Context
John chapter 1 introduces Jesus as the incarnate Word of God and begins His public ministry. It establishes John the Baptist's role as witness (v.19-34) and details the initial gathering of Jesus's first disciples. Immediately before v.43, Jesus has already called Andrew and Simon Peter, the latter being named by Jesus as Cephas. Verse 43 continues this rapid, sequential process of Jesus forming His core group of followers. The movement to Galilee sets the geographical stage for much of Jesus's early ministry, moving away from Judea where John the Baptist had been active. Historically, Galilee was a region known for its Jewish and Gentile populations, its agriculture, and a place less rigidly tied to Jerusalem's religious establishment, making it a strategic area for the expansion of Jesus's teaching and miracles beyond traditional centers.
John 1 43 Word analysis
- The next day (Greek: τῇ ἐπαύριον, tē epaurion): This phrase signals a precise, rapid, and deliberate progression in John's narrative. It implies a divinely appointed timing, contributing to the sense of purpose and acceleration in Jesus's ministry and the gathering of His disciples (cf. John 1:29, 1:35, 2:1). It highlights a succession of key events.
- Jesus (Greek: Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The Son of God, the Messiah, whose identity and mission are revealed from the very first verses of this Gospel.
- decided to go (Greek: ἠθέλησεν ἐξελθεῖν, ēthelēsen exelthein): This signifies Jesus's intentional will and sovereign decision, not a casual or random act. It translates as "He willed/intended to go forth." Jesus is not aimlessly wandering but moving with purpose.
- to Galilee (Greek: εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, eis tēn Galilaian): A northern region of Israel. It was known as "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Matt 4:15) due to its mixed population and cultural influences, often looked down upon by the Judean religious elite. This setting demonstrates Jesus's mission extending beyond the immediate Jewish center of Judea.
- He found (Greek: εὑρίσκει, heuriskei): This verb, in the present tense (a "historic present"), denotes immediate action and the continuing, active initiative of Jesus. It is not an accidental discovery but a purposeful, direct seeking out of Philip. Jesus finds those He calls.
- Philip (Greek: Φίλιππον, Philippon): One of the twelve apostles. His name is Greek, suggesting he may have been comfortable with Gentile interactions, which later proves significant (John 12:20-22).
- and said to him (Greek: καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, kai legei autō): Simple and direct, showing a clear, authoritative communication.
- “Follow me.” (Greek: Ἀκολούθει μοι, Akolouthei moi): This is a command (present imperative) for continuous action. In the context of ancient Jewish rabbinic tradition, students often chose their rabbi; here, Jesus takes the initiative, issuing the command to His chosen follower. This command entails not merely physical accompaniment, but a comprehensive commitment to discipleship, aligning one's life, values, and mission with Jesus's own. It signifies a profound invitation to participate in His divine purpose.
John 1 43 Bonus section
- The Greek verb heuriskei ("He found") implies that Jesus was actively seeking Philip. This highlights the concept that true discipleship originates with God's initiative, where He actively calls and draws individuals to Himself, rather than merely waiting to be found by them (John 6:44, John 15:16).
- Philip's hometown of Bethsaida (John 1:44) was also the town of Andrew and Peter, suggesting pre-existing relationships among the earliest disciples. This network might have facilitated their initial encounter and collective commitment to Jesus.
- This verse contributes to a structured progression of events in John's Gospel, where distinct days mark significant steps in Jesus's revealing of Himself and the beginning of His public ministry. This rapid succession underscores the divine urgency and precision of His early movements.
John 1 43 Commentary
John 1:43 encapsulates a crucial stage in Jesus's early ministry: the active, purposeful gathering of His disciples. Rather than waiting for eager students, Jesus intentionally finds and calls Philip. This highlights Jesus's divine initiative and sovereignty in building His kingdom. His command, "Follow me," is more than a physical directive; it is the essence of true discipleship, demanding a transformative commitment to Jesus's way of life, teachings, and ultimate mission. The deliberate move to Galilee, a more diverse region, also foreshadows the expansive nature of Jesus's ministry, reaching beyond traditional centers. Philip's prompt response and subsequent act of bringing Nathanael to Jesus illustrate the contagious nature of the call to discipleship and its immediate impact.