Devine Scripture

John 1:38

What does John 1:38 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:38 means

Jesus turns and engages the two disciples, asking a direct and probing question: "What seek ye?" This question is more than a casual inquiry; it challenges them to articulate their deepest desires and intentions. Their response, enquiring where He abides, reveals a genuine hunger to spend time with Him and learn from Him, indicating a desire for close fellowship and instruction with 'Rabbi,' or Teacher, underscoring their readiness for discipleship.

John 1:38 in context

John 1 — The Word Made Flesh

John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.

  • Pre-existence of Christ
  • Incarnation
  • Light and life
  • First disciples

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus, turning round, saw them coming after him and said to them, What are you looking for? They said to him, Rabbi (which is to say, Master), where are you living? +

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus having turned, and having beheld them following, saith to them, `What seek ye?' and they said to them, `Rabbi, (which is, being interpreted, Teacher,) where remainest thou?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus turning and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him: Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Jesus having turned, and seeing them following, says to them, What seek ye? And they said to him, Rabbi (which, being interpreted, signifies Teacher), where abidest thou?

Context

Following the disciples' decision to follow Jesus in verse 37, this verse captures their first direct interaction with Him. Jesus' question "What seek ye?" initiates their personal encounter, moving beyond observed identity to personal invitation. Their reply, asking where He lives, shows an immediate desire for intimate discipleship, setting the stage for their time spent with Him and the subsequent growth of His inner circle, as detailed in the verses that follow.

v.37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

v.38This passage

v.39He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 10:29

    wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.

  • John 18:4

    Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

  • Luke 15:20

    And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

  • Matthew 23:7

    and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi.

  • John 3:2

    the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.

  • John 3:26

    And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

Sermon ideas from John 1:38

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 1:38 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:38 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:38 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:38 teaches us about first disciples

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