John 1:39

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

He saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Come {G2064} and {G2532} see {G1492}. They came {G2064} and {G2532} saw {G1492} where {G4226} he dwelt {G3306}, and {G2532} abode {G3306} with {G3844} him {G846} that {G1565} day {G2250}: for {G1161} it was {G2258} about {G5613} the tenth {G1182} hour {G5610}.

He said to them, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and remained with him the rest of the day — it was about four o’clock in the afternoon.

“Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.

He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour.

Commentary on John 1:39

John 1:39 records a pivotal moment in Jesus' early ministry: His first direct invitation to discipleship, and the immediate, personal response of two individuals. This verse beautifully illustrates the experiential nature of coming to know Christ.

Context

This scene immediately follows John the Baptist's second testimony about Jesus, where he pointed to Christ and declared, "Behold the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36). Upon hearing this, two of John's own disciples — Andrew and another unnamed disciple (traditionally believed to be John, the author of this Gospel) — began to follow Jesus. Jesus, sensing their interest, turns and initiates conversation by asking, "What seek ye?" Their response, "Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?" sets the stage for Jesus' profound invitation.

Key Themes

  • The Personal Invitation: Jesus doesn't issue a command but extends an open and personal invitation: "Come and see." This emphasizes the importance of personal inquiry and direct experience in understanding who Jesus is, rather than relying solely on secondhand information. It's an invitation to explore and discover the truth for oneself.
  • Seeking and Finding: The disciples' willingness to "come and see" demonstrates their active search for truth, which is met by Jesus' immediate welcome. This interaction beautifully illustrates the biblical principle of "seek, and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7), highlighting the responsiveness of God to those who genuinely seek Him.
  • Abiding with Christ: The phrase "abode with him that day" signifies more than a fleeting visit; it points to a significant period of time spent in Jesus' presence. This initial, intimate interaction laid the foundational groundwork for their future discipleship and the concept of abiding in Christ, a key theme throughout John's Gospel.
  • The "Tenth Hour": The mention of the specific time, "about the tenth hour," underscores the significance of this encounter for the disciples. While scholars debate whether this refers to Jewish time (4 PM, implying they stayed overnight) or Roman time (10 AM, allowing for a full day of interaction), its inclusion emphasizes that this was a deeply memorable and life-altering moment, marking the true beginning of their walk with Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "Come and see" is Ercheste kai idete (ἔρχεσθε καὶ ἴδετε). Ercheste means "come" or "go," indicating movement towards a person or place. Idete is an aorist imperative of horao or eido, meaning "to see," but often implying a deeper perception, understanding, or even experiential knowledge, not just superficial observation. Thus, it's an invitation to personally experience and truly understand who Jesus is. The word "abode" (Greek: menō) means to remain, stay, or dwell, suggesting a lasting presence and relationship, a concept central to the Christian life.

Practical Application

John 1:39 offers a timeless model for how individuals come to faith and begin their journey with Christ:

  • Respond to the Invitation: Just as Jesus invited the first disciples, He continues to invite all to "come and see" Him today. This implies actively seeking to know Him through His Word, prayer, and community.
  • Seek Personal Experience: True faith is not merely intellectual assent; it involves a personal, experiential encounter with the living Christ. We are called to spend time with Him, learning from His teachings and allowing His presence to transform us.
  • Commit Time to Relationship: The disciples "abode with him that day," highlighting the crucial importance of investing dedicated time in our relationship with God. This foundational encounter often leads to a deeper, lifelong commitment, as seen with Andrew, who then went to find his brother, Simon Peter (John 1:41), bringing him to Jesus.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 24:29

    But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

  • Matthew 11:28

    Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  • Matthew 11:30

    For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

  • John 6:37

    All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

  • John 4:40

    So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

  • John 1:46

    And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

  • Revelation 3:20

    Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

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