John 1:43
What does John 1:43 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:43 means
On the next day, Jesus decided to travel to Galilee. There, He found Philip and directly issued a concise command: "Follow me." This direct and personal call, bypassing intermediaries, reveals Jesus' sovereign initiative in gathering disciples. Philip's immediate response (implied by the lack of resistance) signifies his willingness to leave his old life and commit to Jesus, echoing the pattern of immediate discipleship seen with Andrew and Peter.
John 1:43 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 · 2000On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The day after this, Jesus had a desire to go into Galilee. He came across Philip and said to him, Come and be my disciple.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862On the morrow, he willed to go forth to Galilee, and he findeth Philip, and saith to him, `Be following me.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752On the following day, he would go forth into Galilee: and he findeth Philip, And Jesus saith to him: follow me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890On the morrow he would go forth into Galilee, and Jesus finds Philip, and says to him, Follow me.
Context
Following the significant encounters with Andrew and Simon Peter, this verse marks Jesus' proactive movement and continues the pattern of calling disciples. Jesus' decision to go to Galilee and His direct call to Philip show His sovereign initiative in gathering His followers. This individual call sets the stage for expanding the circle of disciples and foreshadows Philip's role in bringing others to Jesus, just as Andrew brought Peter.
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.
- John 1:28
These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
- Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.
- Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
- John 6:5
Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?
- Luke 19:10
For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
Sermon ideas from John 1:43
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:43 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:43 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:43 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:43 teaches us about first disciples
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