John 1:38 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:38

Then Jesus turned —hearing their footfall, he welcomed their sincere approach, attentive as he ever was to the faintest indication of genuine faith and desire for his best gifts— and beheld them following , and he saith to them, What seek ye? The first words of Jesus, as recorded in this Gospel, reveal the incarnate Logos, anointed of the Holy Spirit, beginning to search the heart and anticipate the unuttered questions of humanity. He assumes their desire for that which he alone can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:38

A question for seekers. I. A FIRST MEETING WITH SOME OF THE DISCIPLES . Interesting to look back from the concluding to the beginning chapters of this Gospel—from the days when the apostles were trusted friends to the days when Jesus and they were but as strangers. Here we have a record of the first meeting with some of them. Jesus is walking by the banks of the Jordan—a Teacher who has been made fit to teach, waiting now for scholars; and some of the scholars, all unknown... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:38

What seek ye? - This was not asked to obtain “information.” Compare John 1:48. It was not a harsh reproof, forbidding them to follow him. Compare Matthew 11:28-30. It was a kind inquiry respecting their desires; an invitation to lay open their minds, to state their wishes, and to express all their feelings respecting the Messiah and their own salvation. We may learn:That Jesus regards the first inclinations of the soul to follow him. He “turned” toward these disciples, and he will incline his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:35-39

John 1:35-39. The next day, John stood, and two of his disciples John happening the next day to be with two of his disciples on the banks of Jordan, he saw Jesus passing by a second time, and repeated what he had said to the multitude the day before. Probably he pointed out Jesus to these two disciples because they had been absent when the Spirit descended upon him, and the voice from heaven declared him to be the Son of God. But having now had an account of these things from their master,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 1:35-51

18. The first disciples (John 1:35-51)John the Baptist no doubt felt he had successfully completed part of his work when two of his disciples left him to follow Jesus. One of these was Andrew, the other probably John (who does not mention his own name in his Gospel). Andrew then brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus saw some characteristic in Simon that caused him to give him the name ‘Rock’. (The Aramaic word that Jesus used is transliterated as Cephas. The equivalent Greek word is... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:38

turned and = having turned. Rabbi. App-98 . interpreted. Greek. herreneuo. Occurs only here, John 1:42 ; John 9:7 . Hebrews 7:2 . Master = Teacher. App-98 . John 1:1 . dwellest = abidest. Greek. meno, as in John 1:32 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 1:37-39

John 1:37-39. And they followed Jesus, &c.— As Jesus was a person who had no attendants, and was a stranger, as it were, in this country, we may conclude that he had only some obscure and private lodging here, which must have been at no great distance from the place where John baptized, as may be gathered from his appearing there from day to day: by this means he did an honour to John's ministry, and had an opportunity of receiving his testimony. Jesus, knowing the intentions of the two... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 1:38

38. What seek ye—gentle, winning question, remarkable as the Redeemer's first public utterance. (See on :-.) where dwellest thou—that is, "That is a question we cannot answer in a moment; but had we Thy company for a calm hour in private, gladly should we open our burden." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 1:19-50

II. JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY 1:19-12:50The first part of the body of John’s Gospel records Jesus’ public ministry to the multitudes in Palestine, who were primarily Jewish. Some writers have called this section of the Gospel "the book of signs" because it features seven miracles that signify various things about Jesus."Signs are miraculous works performed or mentioned to illustrate spiritual principles." [Note: Tenney, "The Symphonic . . .," p. 119. See also idem, "Topics from the Gospel of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 1:19-51

A. The prelude to Jesus’ public ministry 1:19-51The rest of the first chapter continues the introductory spirit of the prologue. It records two events in John the Baptist’s ministry and the choice of some men as Jesus’ followers. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:38

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:38

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:38

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 1:35-39

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 1:35-51

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 1:38

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 1:37-39

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 1:38

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 1:19-50

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 1:19-51

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