40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
1:40
One [Andrew] of the two who heard John [the Baptist] speak,
The “John” here is John the Baptist. Andrew heard John speak. The other person was the author of this gospel, John. The author John never named himself in the gospel.
and followed Him,
The “Him” here is Jesus. Andrew followed Jesus as the Messiah.
was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
“Andrew” was one of the Baptizer’s two disciples. He appears two more times in the gospel of John (Jn 6:4-9; 12:20-22). Each time he brought someone to Jesus.
1:41
He first found his own brother Simon [Peter],
Peter was the elder brother to Andrew. He became prominent among the disciples. John the author may have found his brother James as well, but it is not stated here.
and said to him, “We have found the Messiah”
John was the only gospel author to use the term “Messiah.”
(which is translated, the Christ).
John was explaining to his Greek audience what “Messiah” meant.
Andrew and John’s time with Jesus convinced them that He was indeed the Messiah. They found the expected Messiah to be real.
1:42
And he [Andrew] brought him [Peter] to Jesus.
It must have been some scene when an overt personality like Peter first met Jesus. Peter was both impetuous and impulsive.
Now when Jesus looked at him [Simon], He said,
Jesus took a close look at Simon in order to study him.
“You are Simon the son of Jonah.
“Jonah” was Peter and John’s father.
You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
Naming someone was important in Jewish culture. Jesus assigned Peter the nickname “Cephas.” “Cephas” is Aramaic for rock or stone. The Greek transliteration is petros or “Peter.” The renaming of Peter occurred again in Matthew 16:16-18. Instead of the impulsive Peter, he was to be rock solid. Jesus renamed Peter to indicate the purpose He had for him.
PRINCIPLE:
The first place to share Christ is with those closest to us in our network.
APPLICATION:
Andrew first told his family about Christ. This is a good place to start our witness for Christ. Our personal network is always the best place to share our faith. Without Andrew there would have never been a catalyst like Peter.
Please explain why Mark 1:16-20 differently depicts the calling of the first disciples. The book of Mark says Jesus found Andrew & Simon, and James & John while fishing. The book of John paints a different picture.
Thank you for your insight. God bless.
CJ,
Many of John’s details differ from the Synoptics. However, rather than providing evidence of inconsistency in the Gospels or historical error, these differences reflect John’s dramatic style of writing. John is generally accepted to be the latest, written as much as 30–40 years after Mark and 50–60 years after Jesus’ ministry. John presents a dramatized and highly stylized version. Dramatic and theological goals held priority in John’s retelling of the life of Christ. Thus, John does not give some of the details that the Synoptics.