Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
Then {G1161} Jesus {G2424} turned {G4762}, and {G2532} saw {G2300} them {G846} following {G190}, and saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, What {G5101} seek ye {G2212}?{G1161} They said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Rabbi {G4461},(which {G3739} is to say {G3004}, being interpreted {G2059}, Master {G1320},) where {G4226} dwellest thou {G3306}?
Yeshua turned and saw them following him, and he asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi!” (which means “Teacher!”) “Where are you staying?”
Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”
And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou?
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John 18:7
Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. -
John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. -
John 1:49
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. -
Psalms 27:4
One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. -
Proverbs 8:34
Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. -
John 18:4
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? -
John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all [men] come to him.
John 1:38 records a pivotal early interaction between Jesus and His first disciples, marking the very beginning of His public ministry and the call to follow Him. This verse captures Jesus’ first recorded words in John’s Gospel, a profound question that sets the tone for understanding true discipleship.
Context
This encounter immediately follows John the Baptist's powerful testimony, where he pointed out Jesus as "the Lamb of God." Two of John's disciples, upon hearing this, began to follow Jesus. Jesus, sensing their presence and potential interest, turns to them and initiates the conversation. These two disciples are traditionally identified as Andrew (who then finds his brother Simon Peter, as seen in John 1:40-41) and likely John, the author of this Gospel himself, who characteristically refrains from naming himself directly.
Linguistic Insights
The disciples address Jesus as "Rabbi." The KJV helpfully interprets this phrase for the reader: "which is to say, being interpreted, Master." The term Rabbi (ῥαββί, rhabbi in Greek, from Hebrew רַבִּי, rabbi) literally means "my great one" or "my teacher." It was a title of respect given to esteemed Jewish teachers and spiritual guides. Their use of this title indicates their recognition of Jesus as someone worthy of instruction and spiritual authority, even before fully understanding His identity as the Messiah.
Key Themes
Practical Application
This verse challenges us to consider Jesus' question to us today: "What seek ye?" Are we seeking superficial answers, or a profound, transformative relationship with Him? The disciples' desire to know "where dwellest thou?" resonates with the human longing for connection and guidance. Jesus' immediate response in the next verse, "Come and see," highlights His welcoming nature and invitation to personal experience rather than mere intellectual assent. True discipleship involves a willingness to "come and see" where Jesus is, to spend time with Him, and to learn from His life and teachings.