NBBC SS: John 1:35-51

Introduction: Last week, we considered that Jesus is the eternal, self-existent Word in relationship with God the Father Who is God the Creator and Sustainer, the Light of Life that leads those who believe in Him out of the darkness of sin. Last week emphasized the identity of Jesus Christ. This week, we’re going to consider how others testify of Jesus’ identity and the impact that such had on their lives going forward.

John 1:35-42 “35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,

Given how we’re reading John 1, we’re prompted to inquire, what happened the previous day?

John the Baptist has seen Jesus and given his famous testimony about Jesus that consisted of identifying 4 things related to Jesus.

The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29; we’re going to see John use this name again in our passage)

The One of higher rank than John given His preexistence (John 1:30; cf. John 1:15)

The One on Whom the Spirit descended, remained and Who baptizes with the Same (John 1:32-33)

The Son of God (John 1:34)

36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

Back in John 1:29, John connects the name “Lamb of God” with what activity?

John the Baptist connected this designation to the purpose for which Jesus came: to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29)

What’s interesting is that the specified offering for sin was that of the burnt offering.

In a burnt offering the entire lamb was consumed by the fire (Ex 29).

Thus, when John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God Who would take away the sins of the world, he is suggesting that this work will entirely consume Jesus in taking His life.

Additionally, Whose Lamb is Jesus?

He’s God’s Lamb

In a traditional burnt offering, the guilty party supplied the offering to be consumed

However, God is not guilty nor is Jesus.

What this suggests for us is that Jesus voluntarily took guilt on Himself that was not His own.

What a tremendous sacrifice!

To take voluntarily take guilt not your own in order to redeem the guilty from God’s wrath and, ultimately, transform them!

37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Concerning the 2 disciples of John referenced in John 1:35, what two actions are referenced here?

Hearing and following.

What was it that they heard?

John the Baptist identify Jesus the second time that Jesus of the Lamb of God.

What was it that these individuals did after hearing that Jesus was the Lamb of God?

They followed Jesus.

After this verse, these 2 individuals are no longer called disciples of John.

What aspect of John’s ministry does this suggest?

John the Baptist also famously said of his and Jesus’ respective ministries that, “He (Jesus) must increase and I must decrease.” (cf. John 3:30)

John was not about gaining a following to keep that following.

Instead, he was about pointing others to Jesus Christ and that they would follow Jesus.

This phrase is used again in John 1:40 to be able to identify these 2 once more.

When compared with John 10:27, what we have here in this phrase is a key characteristic of a true disciple of Christ.

Disciples will hear Jesus’ voice and follow Him.

John was pointing others to follow Christ, so, what they were hearing was God’s Word that He had designated John to proclaim, identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God.

If you’re following Christ, you will hear His voice in His Word.

There are at least 2 things that I would like to draw out as application in these verses.

First, the meaning of following Christ.

Disciples of Jesus, anyone who has believed in Jesus, will follow Christ by hearing His Word.

Such hearing is based on Jesus’ identity, specifically referred to as the Lamb of God but also as the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:27) and beyond.

Such hearing leads to appropriate action in following Jesus.

Following means more than just the direction of a path.

Instead, it’s the direction of life.

As we discussed last week, John’s Gospel identifies Jesus as the Light of Life that leads His followers out of the darkness and entrapment of sin into the light of Jesus’ righteousness.

Additionally, like John the Baptist, all of Jesus’ disciples are called to a ministry of identifying Jesus and pointing others to follow Him.

This is not only patterned in John the Baptist.

It’s also patterned in the first disciples!

Let’s look for how the disciples demonstrate as we continue reading.

38 And 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?”

Who was it that Jesus saw following Him?

The 2 disciples of John.

How are the disciples of John referred to here?

“Them”.

In a different context this might sound rather ominous.

How could John in this Gospel referred to these individuals?

He could have referred to them as John’s disciples.

But, John did not refer to them as John’s disciples.

John is intentionally using his wording to suggest a change in these two individuals that is only going to be reinforced in John 1:40.

What question does Jesus ask these two individuals?

“What do you seek?”

“seeking” dzeteo is an important term in John:

Some sought to kill Jesus (John 5:18; John 7:1; John 7:19; John 7:20; John 7:25; John 8:37; John 8:40 - 7 times!)

Some sought Jesus for less than ideal reasons (John 6:26) - just to satisfy physical desires, a genie

The Father is seeking worshippers (John 4:23)

Jesus asked this as a question some 4 times:

John 1:38 the two disciples of John the Baptist

John 18:4, 7 seeking to seize Jesus to crucify Him

John 20:15 Mary Magdalene seeking the body of Jesus

With its prevalent use in John related to Jesus, we’re prompted to put ourselves in the place of those that sought Jesus for various reasons and inquire of our own selves, are we seeking Jesus in a way that He desires for us to seek Him?

How do these two following Jesus now respond to Jesus’ question?

First, the call Jesus “Rabbi”.

We’re given the meaning of this term, teacher.

This term is employed 8 times across John’s Gospel for a total of 15 times across the New Testament.

In all but 1 of the references in John, it refers to Jesus.

The one exception is actually a reference to John the Baptist. (cf. John 3:26)

In each of those 7 instances of referring to Jesus, Jesus never calls Himself “Rabbi”.

Instead, someone else is always calling Him Rabbi.

This observation suggests that there’s a recognition of Jesus’ authority as delivering truthful teaching.

So these 2 disciples of John acknowledge Jesus’ authority as a truthful teacher but notice the question that they ask Him.

“where are You staying?”

Does this not sound like an odd question to ask?

Why would someone ask question like this?

To come visit for a while

To fellowship

39 He 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.

How does Jesus respond?

Come on!

Jesus welcomes the opportunity to be able to fellowship with them

What does it suggest about a person when they communicate a desire to fellowship with others?

They desire relationship‌

This implies about Jesus that He desires to be in relationship with others

These individuals stayed with Jesus the whole day, beginning about 10am.

Can you imagine, spending the whole day with Jesus?

One day, we will visit with Jesus permanently

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

Notice, we have a repetition of the phrase “heard … and followed,” emphasizing the importance of this lifestyle to mark one who is following Jesus.

We also have a vague reference to “the two”.

We know who these two are, the former disciples of John the Baptist.

Since John’s Gospel refers to them so vaguely, I believe that it’s this Gospel’s continual emphasis on the impermanence of John the Baptist’s ministry and its associated consequence of pointing others to Jesus.

Of the two now following Jesus, who are we first introduced to?

Andrew

Who was Andrew’s brother?

Simon Peter

41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He 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).”

What three things are we told that Andrew did?

He found Simon, told Simon about Who Jesus was, and then brought Simon to Jesus.

Notice, what word follows “found” in John 1:41?

“first”

What does the reference to “first” suggest here?

While Simon was the first that Andrew brought to Jesus, he certainly was not the last

In fact, Andrew serves an interesting function in John’s Gospel.

Here he brings Simon Peter to Jesus

In John 6:8, he brings the boy with the loaves of bread and fish to Jesus before the miraculous feeding

In John 12:22, he is instrumental in bringing Greeks, anyone who was not a Jew, to see Jesus

Thus, Andrew serves in bringing people to Jesus (BKC)

“found” hurisko (eureka!) used 19 times in 17 verses in John

The Greek term for “found” is the one from which we get the exclamation “eureka” - or, “I found it!”.

There were those that found Jesus and confessed that He is the Messiah and the One prophesied by Moses and the Prophets (John 1:41, 45)

This suggests that Jesus was not trying to be mysterious in indicating Who He was

Rather, Jesus’ identity was readily apparent to those that believed in Him

Therefore, to those that did not recognize Who Jesus was, what was their problem?

They had a heart of unbelief

They had a heart problem

Both Messiah and Christ mean the same thing.

Anointed One.

This is a title used to designate a specific individual that the Lord has called and empowered to accomplish a specific task.

In reference to Jesus, it is also a unique designation to describe His relationship to the Holy Spirit in resting upon Him and baptizing with the Same.

What does Jesus say about Simon upon seeing Him?

He gives Simon another name, a nickname (John MacArthur via Victor Weatherholt).

In Aramaic, the nickname is Cephas.

However, we know this nickname in it’s more common form as Peter.

Both mean the same thing: rock.

While the Roman Catholic Church takes this designation to refer to Peter’s first occupation of the role of the pope, Jesus’ nickname instead refers to the important role that Peter will play in serving the Church as one specifically sent by Jesus for this task.

This is suggested in Peter’s threefold restoration in John 21.

Thus, this is a nickname and not a title for an official Church position of leadership.

John 1:43-51 “43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.

Having gathered His first two disciples the previous day, a new day dawns with new opportunities to gather more disciples for Jesus!

Who was it that Jesus found according to this verse?

Philip

What was it that Jesus said to Philip?

“Follow me.”

How does Philip respond?

By following Jesus.

By implication, Philip’s following Jesus was immediate.

What are we told about where Philip was from?

Bethsaida, where also Andrew and Peter were from.

Bethsaida is on the NE side of the Sea of Galilee, hence it’s association with Galilee in John 12:21 (BKC).

Jesus performed at least 3 miracles in Bethsaida: feeding the 5,000, healing a blind man, and walking on water (LBD).

Jesus condemned the people in Mt 11:14-24 and Lk 10:13 (LBD).

The people of Bethsaida are presented as being both fickle and narcissistic (LBD).

While Jesus performed significant miracles in that town, most of their inhabitants did not believe in Jesus (Mt 11:14-24; LBD).

45 Philip 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.”

What is it that Philip says to Nathanael?

We have found Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph

Written about in the Law

Written about in the Prophets

Suggests that Joseph had some kind of reputation to be known

What is Philip appealing to as his witness to testify about Jesus’ identity?

The OT

This suggests that Jesus is to be found in the OT particularly under the watchful eye of the NT.

46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Does Nathanael respond with delight to this news?

No

Instead, he asks a question

We can almost hear Nathanael sneer and skepticism that comes out in this question

If you ask if anything good can come from a place, what are you suggesting is the answer?

No

In other words, Nazareth has a reputation too; or not much of one (LBD; NNIBD)

What kind of attitude is Nathanael exhibiting?

proud attitude

“How can anything good come from Nazareth?”

It’s a self-righteous attitude - a general condemnation that misses one’s own guilt

How does Philip respond to Nathanael?

“See for yourself!”

It’s an invitation - Philip knows that the Lord is capable of changing Nathanael

No argumentation, just an invitation (NAC).

Demonstrates the importance of introducing people to God’s Word the source of truth instead of trying to reason with them.

Arguments do not win converts.

The Holy Spirit through the Word brings life where there was once death in sin

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael 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.”

What does Jesus do when He sees Nathanael approaching Him?

He makes an exclamatory statement!

An Israelite in whom there is truly no deceit

What is deceit?

The attempt to fleece others

Falsehood

Why would Jesus say this?

It’s believed that Jesus’ emphasis on deceit connects Nathanael with his famous forebear (BKC, NAC, NIV).

Who was Nathanael’s famous ancestor who was known for being deceitful?

Jacob.

By implication, Jesus is drawing attention to the need for His coming.

Deceit is sin and Jesus came to die for sin.

While Nathanael may not have the sin of deceit, Jesus still came to die for Nathanael’s other sins.

How does Nathanael respond to Jesus?

Nathanael asks how Jesus knew Him.

By implication, Nathanael is acknowledging that the Lord knew him.

Why would someone ask a question like this?

If one did not have a previous knowledge of the other.

Have you ever met someone and they already knew you?

There was apparently a family member of Carrie’s at our wedding that I had met.

However, when attending a funeral, I introduced myself like I had not met this individual.

They responded to me, “Oh we met at your wedding.”

It was kind of embarrassing.

If the Lord knew Nathanael before meeting him, what does that imply about the Lord’s knowledge?

It suggests that Jesus is God Who knows all things.

How does Jesus demonstrate this?

By telling Nathanael that He saw him under the fig tree.

There’s been a lot of speculation about what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree.

Some have suggested that Nathanael was studying or meditating based on a piece of Jewish writing that connected these activities with the shade of fig trees.

Since fig trees have great shade, it’s been suggested that Nathanael was resting, which is notable since fig trees were also connected with peace and security (Micah 4:4).

Fig trees represent sweetness in life, thus pleasantness.

Significantly, the leaves of the fig tree were also what our first ancestors attempted to use to cover their nakedness (Gn 3:7).

While we can attempt to speculate as to what Nathanael was doing, we can know for certain that the Lord knew what it was

The Lord knows all things, whether we’re under a tree or not.

Place does not limit the knowledge of God, Jesus

49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”

What 3 things does Nathanael say about Jesus based on Jesus’ supernatural knowledge?

Rabbi, teacher.

Nathanael is acknowledging that Jesus is truthful.

Nathanael is also acknowledging Jesus’ authority by referring to Him as Rabbi.

Son of God

There are 8 verses in John’s Gospel that have this phrase that lit. reads “the Son of the God” (Father)

John 3:18; 20:31 - we are to believe in the name of the Son of God, otherwise we will face the condemnation our sins justly deserve

John 5:25 - resurrection power of the Son of God!

John 11 has the most uses in a single chapter, 2

Contextually, John 11 includes the account of Lazarus’ passing and being raised from the dead

Before Jesus raises Lazarus, Martha confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

This confession follows right after Jesus’ statement that He is the resurrection and the life; that He has resurrection power

John 19:7 - part of Jesus’ condemnation

You see, the Son of God is more than a title.

It’s expressive of Jesus’ unique power.

His unique power identifies that He is God for only God knows all things and has the power to raise the dead to life.

King of Israel

Used only twice in John’s Gospel

Used two other places: Mat 27:42 and Mk 15:32 - in derision of the Lord; indicative that the people had no heart change; they did not want the Lord for their King

Recognizing Jesus as the King of Israel was quite a leap from where Nathanael started!

Only the Lord has authority: Jesus is God Who reigns.

Nathanael’s acknowledgment all plays into this Gospel’s purpose of promoting belief in Jesus.

As Rabbi, His authoritative Word is truth.

As Son of God, He is God with all power as demonstrated in His knowledge and ability to raise the dead.

As King of Israel, He is the One Who reigns over all.

50 Jesus 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.”

Can you imagine being told by Jesus that you would see even greater things than just the fact that Jesus demonstrated that He knows all about you?

This is a great setup for the next chapter for it will commence the start of Jesus’ miracles, the performance of signs that makes it clear that He is God and that He should be believed.

51 “And 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.”

What does it mean for “the heavens” to be “opened”?

Gn 7:11, Is 24:18 - judgment (John 3:17, Jesus did not come to condemn)

Dt 28:12, Mal 3:10 - blessing of life giving rain (refreshing, sustaining)

Isa 64:1 - deliverance

Ezek 1:1 - revelation, revealing God’s Word

Does the phrase “the angels of God ascending and descending” sound familiar?

Gn 28:12

Jacob’s dream

Interestingly, the Lord affirmed His promises to Abraham’s descendant, Jacob, but concluded by maintaining His abiding presence with Jacob

Interestingly, in Jesus, we have the Lord’s abiding, permanent presence

So what is it that Jesus is pointing to in making this statement? the Lord’s ultimate Self-Revelation has come in Jesus, the Word, the Light, the Christ, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Son of Man

What other name does Jesus employ here to refer to Himself?

Son of Man

Interestingly, this name/title is employed most often in John’s Gospel in reference to Jesus’ impending crucifixion (John 3:14; John 6:27; John 6:53; John 8:28; John 12:34) 6 out of 12 verses!

Hence, John uses Son of Man to uniquely call attention to the suffering and death that Jesus would undergo as the perfect man.

Conclusion: Today, we have considered the testimonies of John the Baptist, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael. In some way, each either was pointed to Christ and began following Christ by hearing God’s true Word about Jesus’ identity. When we come to understand that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Rabbi, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the King of Israel, the Messiah, the One spoken of in the OT, we also have the responsibility to believe and follow Jesus. If we have believed in Jesus, then we have the great privilege to proclaim His identity to others so that they also might believe and follow Jesus. May the Lord make us faithful in this great privilege.