John 1:41

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

He {G3778} first {G4413} findeth {G2147} his own {G2398} brother {G80} Simon {G4613}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, We have found {G2147} the Messias {G3323}, which {G3739} is {G2076}, being interpreted {G3177}, the Christ {G5547}.

The first thing he did was to find his brother Shim‘on and tell him, “We’ve found the Mashiach!” (The word means “one who has been anointed.”)

He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).

He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).

Commentary

Context of John 1:41

This verse immediately follows Andrew's initial encounter with Jesus, alongside another unnamed disciple (widely believed to be John himself). Having heard John the Baptist declare Jesus to be the Lamb of God, Andrew and his companion spent time with Jesus, leading to a profound realization. Andrew's immediate action, after encountering Jesus, was to seek out his brother Simon, later known as Peter. This highlights the early stages of Jesus gathering His first disciples, setting the stage for the formation of His inner circle.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Immediate Recognition: Andrew's declaration, "We have found the Messias," signifies a swift and certain understanding of Jesus' true identity as the long-awaited deliverer. This was not a gradual realization but an immediate conviction after spending time with Him.
  • The Urgency of Sharing: Andrew's first impulse is to share this life-changing discovery with his closest family member, Simon. This act models the natural desire of new believers to share the good news of Christ with those they love.
  • The Identity of Jesus: The verse explicitly identifies Jesus as the "Messias," clarifying for the reader that He is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Christ. This is a foundational truth for understanding Jesus' role and mission.

Linguistic Insights

The verse offers a crucial linguistic clarification: "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."

  • Messias: This term is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning "anointed one." In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were often anointed with oil to signify their divine appointment and special calling. The Jewish people eagerly awaited a particular "Anointed One" who would be their ultimate king and deliverer, fulfilling promises found in texts like Psalm 2:2.
  • Christ: The Greek word Christos (Χριστός) is the direct translation of the Hebrew Mashiach. By providing this interpretation, John ensures his Greek-speaking audience understands that "Messias" and "Christ" refer to the same prophesied figure—the one chosen and empowered by God for a unique redemptive purpose. This connection underscores that Jesus is the fulfillment of centuries of anticipation, the very one the Jewish people had been waiting for, as seen in the Samaritan woman's expectation of the Messiah.

Practical Application

John 1:41 provides a powerful example for believers today. Andrew's immediate and enthusiastic sharing of his discovery with his brother Simon serves as a timeless model for evangelism. It teaches us that:

  • Encountering Jesus personally leads to a desire to share Him with others, especially those closest to us.
  • The core message of our sharing should be the identity of Jesus: He is the Christ, the Savior, the Anointed One.
  • The call to follow Jesus often begins with personal invitation and testimony, just as Simon Peter was brought to Jesus by Andrew (John 1:42).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 4:25

    The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

  • Psalms 89:20

    I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

  • Isaiah 2:3

    And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 2:5

    O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

  • John 4:28

    The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

  • John 4:29

    Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?