John 6:8

KJV

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

KJV (with Strong's)

One {G1520} of {G1537} his {G846} disciples {G3101}, Andrew {G406}, Simon {G4613} Peter's {G4074} brother {G80}, saith {G3004} unto him {G846},

Complete Jewish Bible

One of the talmidim, Andrew the brother of Shim‘on Kefa, said to him,

Berean Standard Bible

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,

American Standard Version

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 6:8 introduces Andrew, one of Jesus' twelve disciples and Simon Peter's brother, as he speaks to Jesus amidst the unfolding crisis of feeding a vast multitude. This seemingly brief interjection is pivotal, as Andrew is about to present the meager resources—five barley loaves and two small fish—that Jesus will miraculously multiply to feed over five thousand people. The verse highlights Andrew's observant and proactive character, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His divine power in a context of human inadequacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), specifically following Jesus' question to Philip about how to feed the massive crowd (John 6:5) and Philip's pragmatic, yet despairing, assessment of the impossibility of the task (John 6:7). The previous verses establish the immense need and the disciples' human limitations. Andrew's statement in [John 6:8](/john/6-8 "John 6:8 - Andrew's Intervention") serves as a crucial transition, moving the narrative from the problem's scale to the identification of the seemingly insignificant resource that Jesus will transform. It immediately precedes Andrew's full statement in [John 6:9](/john/6-9 "John 6:9 - The Boy's Loaves and Fish"), which reveals the boy with the food, thereby setting the stage for one of Jesus' most remarkable public miracles, the feeding of the five thousand.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event takes place in a desolate area near the Sea of Galilee, a region known for its sparse population and limited resources, especially for such a large, impromptu gathering. Jewish culture at the time placed a high value on hospitality, yet feeding such a multitude without prior preparation was an unprecedented challenge. The crowd, estimated at "about five thousand men" (John 6:10), not counting women and children, would have been an overwhelming logistical nightmare for anyone but Jesus. The disciples' initial responses—Philip's calculation of cost and Andrew's discovery of a boy's small meal—reflect the common understanding of resource scarcity in their agrarian society, where food was often hard-won and not easily multiplied.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate context of [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") introduces several profound themes. **Divine Provision** is central, contrasting human inability with God's limitless power to supply. The disciples' struggle to comprehend how to feed the crowd underscores the theme of **Faith vs. Sight**, as they focus on what is visible and limited, while Jesus operates on a divine plane. Andrew's action, while seemingly small, introduces the theme of **Bringing What You Have to Jesus**, demonstrating that even meager offerings can be used mightily by God. This narrative also foreshadows the discourse on Jesus as the **Bread of Life**, which follows the miracle, emphasizing that true sustenance comes not from physical bread but from Christ Himself, as stated in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs_):** Derived from a word meaning "to learn," a disciple is fundamentally a learner or pupil. In this context, Andrew is identified as one of Jesus' inner circle, someone who has committed to following and being taught by Him. This highlights his privileged position and ongoing process of spiritual formation under Jesus' direct tutelage, even when confronted with overwhelming situations.
* **Andrew (Greek, _Andréas_):** This name, meaning "manly," identifies a specific individual known for his practical and proactive nature. Andrew is consistently portrayed in John's Gospel as a "bringer"—he brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus (John 1:41) and later brought Greeks to Jesus (John 12:22). Here, his identity sets the stage for him to bring the boy with the loaves and fish, showcasing his consistent character trait of connecting others, or resources, to Jesus.
* **saith (Greek, _légō_):** This primary verb means "to lay forth" or "relate in words," implying a systematic or set discourse rather than a mere utterance. While Andrew's statement in this verse is brief, the use of _légō_ underscores that his words are not random but a deliberate, albeit perhaps hesitant, contribution to the pressing problem. It signifies a communicative act that initiates a crucial turn in the narrative, bridging the gap between human dilemma and divine solution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"One of his disciples,"**: This phrase immediately establishes Andrew's identity as a follower of Jesus, placing him within the inner circle of those who were learning from and serving the Lord. It signifies his position of proximity and relationship to Christ.
* **"Andrew, Simon Peter's brother,"**: This clause specifically names Andrew and further identifies him through his familial relationship with Simon Peter, another prominent disciple. This detail not only distinguishes him from other disciples but also subtly connects him to a known figure, perhaps indicating his established presence and role within the group.
* **"saith unto him,"**: This simple yet potent phrase indicates that Andrew initiates a direct verbal communication with Jesus. It marks the moment Andrew steps forward to offer a potential, albeit seemingly inadequate, solution to the overwhelming problem of feeding the multitude, setting the stage for his crucial role in the upcoming miracle.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Character Introduction** and **Foreshadowing**. Andrew is formally introduced with his full name and familial relation, emphasizing his distinct identity and setting him apart from the other unnamed disciples present. This detailed introduction signals that Andrew will play a significant role in the immediate narrative. Furthermore, the simple act of Andrew "saith unto him" acts as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the crucial information or action he is about to reveal. It builds anticipation for his subsequent statement in [John 6:9](/john/6-9 "John 6:9 - The Boy's Loaves and Fish"), which directly leads to the discovery of the boy's meager meal and the subsequent miraculous feeding. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between Philip's logical, human-centric assessment of impossibility and Andrew's more practical, albeit limited, attempt to find a resource, highlighting the varied responses of the disciples to Jesus' challenge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 6:8, though brief, is rich in theological implications, primarily highlighting the theme of divine provision in the face of human limitation. Andrew's action, while seemingly small, underscores the principle that God often works through humble means and that our small offerings, when consecrated to Him, can become instruments of His mighty power. It also subtly introduces the idea that true solutions to overwhelming problems do not lie in human ingenuity or resources alone, but in bringing those problems, and whatever meager resources we possess, to Jesus. This sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His sovereignty over creation and His identity as the ultimate provider, foreshadowing the later discourse on Him as the Bread of Life.

* [John 1:40-42](/john/1-40-42 "Andrew Brings Simon Peter to Jesus")
* [John 12:20-22](/john/12-20-22 "Andrew and Philip Bring Greeks to Jesus")
* [Matthew 14:15-21](/matthew/14-15-21 "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Andrew's simple act of speaking up in [John 6:8](/john/6-8 "John 6:8 - Andrew's Intervention") offers a profound lesson for believers today. When faced with overwhelming challenges, whether personal, communal, or global, it's easy to become paralyzed by the sheer scale of the problem, much like Philip did. Andrew, however, exemplifies a different response: an active, though perhaps imperfect, search for a solution and a willingness to bring what little is found to Jesus. This challenges us to look beyond our own limitations and to consider what resources, talents, or opportunities, however insignificant they may seem, God has placed in our hands. It reminds us that our role is not to solve the impossible, but to faithfully present what we have to the One who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Our small offerings, when surrendered to Christ, become the raw material for His miraculous work, demonstrating His power and provision far beyond what we could ever achieve on our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed by a problem that seems too big to solve?**
* **What "meager resources" or small offerings might God be prompting you to bring to Him in that situation?**
* **How does Andrew's example encourage you to act in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain?**

### FAQ
**Why is Andrew's identification as "Simon Peter's brother" significant here?**

Answer: Andrew's identification as "Simon Peter's brother" in [John 6:8](/john/6-8 "John 6:8 - Andrew's Intervention") serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides a clear and immediate identification for the reader, linking him to the more prominent disciple, Peter. Secondly, it subtly reinforces Andrew's consistent character as a "bringer." It was Andrew who first brought Simon Peter to Jesus in [John 1:40-42](/john/1-40-42 "Andrew Brings Simon Peter to Jesus"), establishing a pattern of him connecting individuals to Christ. This familial connection highlights his foundational role in Peter's discipleship and foreshadows his similar "bringing" action in this narrative, where he brings the boy with the loaves and fish to Jesus, setting the stage for the miracle. It emphasizes that even those in the background can play crucial, catalytic roles in God's plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [John 6:8](/john/6-8 "John 6:8 - Andrew's Intervention") primarily focuses on Andrew's role, it implicitly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfiller of all needs and the source of true provision. Andrew's action of "bringing" a limited resource to Jesus foreshadows the profound truth that all our sufficiency is found in Christ. The subsequent miracle, initiated by Andrew's discovery, directly leads to Jesus' declaration as the "Bread of Life" in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"). This discourse reveals that the physical feeding was merely a sign pointing to Jesus Himself as the spiritual sustenance for eternal life. He is the one who truly satisfies the deepest hunger of humanity, not with perishable food, but with His very self, offered as the living bread. Andrew's bringing of the loaves and fish to Jesus prefigures the ultimate bringing—God bringing His Son, Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice and provision for the world's sin, as highlighted in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). Thus, Andrew's small act serves as a humble, yet powerful, testament to Christ's immeasurable power and His role as the divine provider who transforms human inadequacy into abundant grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 1:40

One of the two which heard John [speak], and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

John 1:44

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Matthew 4:18

¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.