John 1:41
What does John 1:41 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:41 means
Andrew's first act after encountering Jesus was to find his brother, Simon, and share the exciting news: "We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ)." This demonstrates Andrew's immediate recognition of Jesus' identity and his evangelistic zeal. His conviction was so strong that he couldn't keep it to himself, highlighting the personal nature of early discipleship and the urgency of proclaiming the Messiah to family.
John 1:41 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 · 2000He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
KJV
King James Version · 1611He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Early in the morning he came across his brother and said to him, We have made discovery! It is the Messiah! (which is to say, the Christ).
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this one doth first find his own brother Simon, and saith to him, `We have found the Messiah,' (which is, being interpreted, The Anointed,)
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He findeth first his brother Simon and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He first finds his own brother Simon, and says to him, We have found the Messias (which being interpreted is Christ).
Context
Directly following his identification as one of the first two disciples, this verse immediately shows Andrew's enthusiastic response: he finds his brother, Simon, to share the news about the Messiah. This act of personal evangelism demonstrates the transformative impact of meeting Jesus and sets in motion a pivotal moment in the formation of Jesus' disciples. It builds anticipation for Simon's own encounter with Jesus, which will have profound implications for the early church.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 4:25
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things.
- Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.
- Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.
- 2 Kings 7:9
Then they said one to another, We do not well; this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, punishment will overtake us; now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household.
- John 4:28
So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the people,
- Acts 13:32
And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers,
Sermon ideas from John 1:41
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:41 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:41 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:41 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:41 teaches us about first disciples
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