Devine Scripture

John 1:40

What does John 1:40 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:40 means

This verse identifies one of the two disciples who began following Jesus as Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. This detail is significant as it not only names one of Jesus' first followers but also immediately connects him to Peter, a hugely important figure in the New Testament. This familial link will prove instrumental in bringing Peter to Jesus, underscoring the early spread of the Gospel through personal connections.

John 1:40 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

One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two men who, hearing what John said, went after Jesus.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard from John, and followed him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John and followed him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard [this] from John and followed him.

Context

Following the account of the two unnamed disciples spending time with Jesus (v.39), this verse now identifies one of them by name: Andrew. This specific identification is crucial as it links the unfolding narrative to a prominent figure and introduces the theme of personal evangelism. It sets the stage for Andrew's immediate action to bring his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus, thereby initiating the expansion of Jesus' early circle of disciples.

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.

v.40This passage

v.41He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 4:18

    And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers.

  • Mark 1:16

    And passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishers.

  • Acts 1:13

    And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

  • John 1:40

    One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

  • Luke 5:2

    and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

  • John 6:8

    One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,

Sermon ideas from John 1:40

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

  • What John 1:40 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:40 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:40 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:40 teaches us about first disciples

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