Epiphany · Year B
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 17, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Come and see.” (John 1:46)
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 1:43-51 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on the calling of Philip and Nathanael and the promise of seeing heaven opened.
John 1 Commentary: The Word and the Witness, Verse by Verse Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik walks the whole chapter verse by verse with an evangelical eye on the call narratives.
John 1 Commentary Precept Austin
Gathers many classic and modern expositors on John 1 in one deeply cross-referenced page.
John 1:43 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators (Barnes, Gill, Meyer, Ellicott) side by side on the verse that opens the reading.
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B (Sunday Connection) Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic reflection and discussion questions on Jesus seeking out and naming his followers.
Background & Word Study
Gospel of John Summary (Overview Video, Part 1) BibleProject
Animated overview of John's structure and theology to frame the book behind this call story.
John 1:43 Interlinear Bible BibleHub
Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for word-level study of the passage.
Come and See: John 1 Sermon Notes Theology of Work
Preaching notes drawing out invitation and vocation from the call of the first disciples.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
What happens when Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael?
Jesus calls Philip, who tells the skeptical Nathanael to come and see; when Jesus reveals he saw him under the fig tree, Nathanael confesses him Son of God and King of Israel.
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