John 1:35-51 – Jesus’ Public Ministry, First Converts

35Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

43The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Interesting Words
the Lamb

amnos –  a lamb (as a type of innocence, with sacrificial connotation), sacrificial lamb (used for sacrifice); a young sheep without blemish (especially a one-year old lamb)… Lev 5:6; Isa 53:7, 8; 1Peter 1:19;

Messiah

Messias – Messiah, the O.T. title corresponding to Christ, the Anointed One. Also referenced in… John 4:25 and John 7:40.

Christ

Christos – The Anointed One, Christ (Greek), Messiah (Hebrew). 1Sam 2:35; Ps 2:2; Isa 11:1, 2, 3; Jer 23:5; Gen 22:18; Matt 1:1; John 4:25; Acts 2:36;

truly

amén – verily, truly, amen; at the end of sentences may be paraphrased by: So let it be, as an “emphasis marker,” introduces a statement of pivotal importance – i.e. that is essential in interpreting the over-all passage…. Matt 13:16-17; Mark 10:15;
Luke 18:28-29, 30;

Cross References

• Matt 4:17;
• Matt 4:18, 19-20;
• Mark 1:14-15;
• Acts 2:37-38, 39;
• Gen 28:10-11, 12, 13, 14, 15;

Discussion Questions
Print (ctrl-p) or copy the following to a word processor to enter your answers, then meet with some friends to discuss. You can also compare your ansers to mine for a virtual discussion… my answers… John 1:35-51 – Jesus’ Public Ministry, First Converts – Answers

  1. For a second time, John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:41). What did he mean by that?

  2. What were the results of John the Baptist’s comments?

  3. What justification do you see for the response from the two disciples of John the Baptist in John 1:37?

  4. After Jesus calls Andrew, he goes and finds his brother Simon Peter. How would you interpret their conversation?

  5. From what is recorded here, what happened with Philip and Nathanael?

  6. How can you explain the reaction of Nathanael to Jesus?

  7. What other explanation can be given for Nathanael’s response?


  8. What do you make of the statement Jesus made to Nathanael in John 1:50, 51?