Devine Scripture

John 1:42

What does John 1:42 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:42 means

Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Upon seeing Simon, Jesus immediately revealed His divine knowledge by identifying Simon as "the son of John" and prophetically renaming him "Cephas" (Aramaic) or "Peter" (Greek), meaning "rock." This renaming symbolized Peter's future role as a foundational leader within the church, demonstrating Jesus' sovereign authority, divine insight into character, and His power to transform and commission individuals for His kingdom purposes.

John 1:42 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

He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took him to Jesus. Looking at him fixedly Jesus said, You are Simon, the son of John; your name will be Cephas (which is to say, Peter).

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he brought him unto Jesus: and having looked upon him, Jesus saith, `Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas, thou shalt be called Cephas,' (which is interpreted, A rock.)

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona. Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he led him to Jesus. Jesus looking at him said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which interpreted is stone).

Context

This verse details Simon's direct encounter with Jesus, brought about by his brother Andrew (v.41). Jesus' profound and immediate actions—identifying Simon's lineage and prophetically renaming him Peter—demonstrate His divine insight and authority. This interaction is crucial for establishing Peter’s future significance among the apostles and illustrates Jesus’ power to know and transform individuals from their first meeting, setting a precedent for His call to other disciples.

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

v.42This passage

v.43On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:5

    and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;

  • Luke 6:14

    Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew,

  • Luke 5:8

    But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

  • Galatians 2:9

    and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision;

  • 1 Corinthians 3:22

    whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

Sermon ideas from John 1:42

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

  • What John 1:42 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:42 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:42 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:42 teaches us about first disciples

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