Epiphany Season · Second Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B
John 1:35-42
Jesus’ First Disciples
January 17, 2027
Overview & Insights
“We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41)
John the Baptist repeats his testimony to Jesus as Lamb of God in the presence of two of his disciples (v. 36). This is how he makes Jesus known to “Israel.” In effect, he delivers his own disciples over to Jesus. One of the two is said to be Andrew (v. 40), but the other is not identified. It is widely assumed that the second disciple is the Gospel writer himself, the “beloved disciple” mentioned five times in the latter half of the Gospel. But not all anonymous disciples have to be the same. More likely, the second disciple is Philip (cf. 1:43), who appears alongside Andrew on two other occasions (6:5–9; 12:21–22) and who, like Andrew, brings someone else to Jesus (1:43–51). The two disciples in verses 35–39 thus anticipate verses 40–42 and 43–51 respectively: Jesus calls Andrew and Philip; Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus, while Philip brings Nathanael.
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Commentary
Commentary on John 1:29-42 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis covering the Come and See call of the first disciples in verses 35-42.
John 1:29-42 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on witness passing person to person as Andrew brings Simon to Jesus.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary John Chapter 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse evangelical commentary on the Lamb of God and the calling of the first disciples.
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre ties the call of Samuel, the temple of the body, and the first followers of Jesus, from a Catholic scholar.
John 1:35 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the disciples leaving the Baptist to follow Jesus.
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B, Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic background, reflection questions, and family prayer activities for the Sunday's readings.
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Questions preachers ask
How do Jesus' first disciples come to him?
Two of John's followers hear him name Jesus the Lamb of God and follow; Andrew, one of them, finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus, who names him Peter.
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