John 1:44 kjv

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

John 1:44 nkjv

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

John 1:44 niv

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.

John 1:44 esv

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

John 1:44 nlt

Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown.

John 1 verses

John 1 44 Meaning

John chapter 1, verse 44 states that Philip, one of Jesus's earliest disciples, hailed from Bethsaida, a city also home to the brothers Andrew and Peter. This verse serves to geographically locate Philip and to connect him socially within the existing network of first followers. It highlights the familial and communal ties prevalent among those called by Jesus, indicating that His early ministry often engaged individuals already known to each other within their communities.

John 1 44 Context

This verse is situated within the broader narrative of John chapter 1, which introduces Jesus as the Divine Word and recounts the earliest days of His public ministry. Following John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus (Jn 1:19-37) and the calling of Andrew and another disciple (Jn 1:35-40), and then Peter (Jn 1:41-42), John 1:43-51 details Jesus's specific calling of Philip and Nathanael. Verse 44 serves to bridge the existing connections between the newly called Philip and the already mentioned prominent disciples, Andrew and Peter. This contextual detail underlines the community-oriented nature of Jesus's early recruitment, suggesting that the initial spreading of the Good News occurred through existing social networks and geographical proximities among common people in Galilee. Historically, Bethsaida was a fishing town on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee, indicative of the Galilean background of many of Jesus's disciples, a region somewhat looked down upon by those in Judea.

John 1 44 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: De, δέ): This conjunctive particle marks a transition or continuation in the narrative. It signals a shift from Peter's call to Philip's, seamlessly weaving the accounts of the first disciples.
• Philip (Greek: Philippos, Φίλιππος): A common Greek name meaning "lover of horses." The fact that Philip had a Greek name, alongside Aramaic/Hebrew names like Andrew, Peter (Cephas), and Nathanael, highlights the cultural and linguistic diversity of Galilee and the early disciples. This subtle detail foreshadows the later inclusion of Gentiles in the Gospel's reach.
• was from (Greek: ēn apo, ἦν ἀπό): A simple yet direct statement of origin, firmly establishing Philip's hometown. It connects him to a specific locality.
• Bethsaida (Greek: Bethsaida, Βηθσαϊδά; Aramaic: Bet Tsayda, meaning "House of Fishing" or "House of the Hunter"): A town known for its fishing industry on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its name itself reflects the profession of many of its inhabitants. This location grounds the narrative in everyday life, emphasizing that Jesus called ordinary individuals from familiar walks of life. Later, Bethsaida would be a city against which Jesus pronounced woes for its unbelief despite His miracles (Mt 11:21).
• the city (Greek: tēs poleōs, τῆς πόλεως): This emphasizes Bethsaida as a significant community, not merely an obscure village. It highlights its status as a notable settlement where these early disciples shared common life.
• of Andrew (Greek: Andreas, Ἀνδρέας): Andrew, meaning "manly," was Simon Peter's brother and one of the first disciples called by Jesus after John the Baptist's witness. His inclusion here establishes his prominent early role.
• and Peter (Greek: Petros, Πέτρος): Simon Peter, meaning "rock" (from Aramaic Cephas), the brother of Andrew, destined to become one of the most prominent apostles. His presence in this verse, alongside Andrew, solidifies Bethsaida's importance as the shared origin of key early figures.

Words-group by Words-group analysis:

• "Now Philip was from Bethsaida": This phrase directly states Philip's geographical origin, rooting him in a tangible location within the broader Galilean setting. It connects him to a specific place of life and work.
• "the city of Andrew and Peter": This significant descriptive clause connects Philip not only to Bethsaida but more importantly, to two other key figures already called by Jesus. This social connection indicates a pre-existing community, family ties, or professional network among these earliest followers. It illustrates how Jesus gathered disciples who often knew each other, facilitating the natural spread of the message through familiar channels. This detail subtly points to the communal aspect of discipleship from its very inception.

John 1 44 Bonus section

• The naming of Bethsaida as "the city of Andrew and Peter" might imply they moved to Capernaum later in their ministry, as Peter's mother-in-law was healed in Capernaum (Mk 1:29-31). However, Bethsaida remained their original point of association, cementing it as a foundational place for some of the earliest followers.
• The fact that Bethsaida, despite being home to these key apostles and a site of Jesus's miracles, later received a woe from Jesus for its lack of repentance (Mt 11:21; Lk 10:13) adds a poignant layer of irony and sober reflection to its role. It emphasizes that proximity to truth and miracles does not guarantee belief or repentance, highlighting human free will in accepting God's grace.
• This verse contributes to the chain-reaction nature of early discipleship in John 1. Andrew found Peter (Jn 1:40-42), and here Jesus calls Philip, who then immediately finds Nathanael (Jn 1:45). This sequence demonstrates the personal and relational dynamic through which the Gospel began to spread from person to person within their existing spheres of influence.

John 1 44 Commentary

John 1:44, though a seemingly simple statement of origin, is rich in understated significance. It solidifies Philip's connection within the fledgling group of Jesus's disciples, placing him in Bethsaida, a hub that also nurtured Andrew and Peter. This geographical and social tether reveals how Jesus built His initial following: not necessarily by recruiting strangers from far and wide, but by tapping into existing relationships and communities, especially among those engaged in humble professions like fishing in Galilee. The mention of Philip's Greek name alongside Aramaic names for other disciples subtly hints at the diverse cultural tapestry that comprised early Jewish life in Galilee and foreshadows the eventual expansion of the Gospel beyond purely Jewish circles. The verse thus subtly highlights themes of personal calling within communal networks, the ordinary origins of extraordinary men, and the quiet establishment of Jesus's foundational group of followers from common backgrounds.