John 1:40 – Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.

Extended Explanation of the Verse

John 1:40 introduces Andrew, one of the first two disciples to follow Jesus. He had originally been a disciple of John the Baptist, but after hearing John declare that Jesus was “the Lamb of God” (John 1:36), Andrew and another disciple (most likely John, the writer of this Gospel) chose to leave John the Baptist and follow Jesus.

This verse shows that faith begins with hearing the truth—Andrew heard John’s testimony about Jesus, and that led him to take action. He didn’t stay where he was; he responded and followed Jesus personally.

The verse also highlights an important fact about Andrew—he was Simon Peter’s brother. Even though Andrew was the first to follow Jesus, Peter would later become more well-known as one of Jesus’ closest disciples. This shows that even those who work quietly behind the scenes can have a great impact on God’s kingdom.

Historical Context

During this time, Jewish teachers (rabbis) gathered disciples—students who followed them, learned from them, and lived according to their teachings. John the Baptist had disciples, and so did the Pharisees and other religious leaders. But John the Baptist’s purpose was always to prepare people for Jesus, not to keep them for himself.

By following Jesus, Andrew and the other disciple were making a life-changing decision. They were leaving behind their previous teacher, John, and stepping into something new. This would have been a serious commitment, as discipleship in that culture meant completely aligning yourself with your teacher.

Another key historical detail is that Andrew was a fisherman, as we learn in Matthew 4:18. He and his brother Simon Peter worked by the Sea of Galilee. This means that Jesus’ first disciples were ordinary working-class men, not religious scholars or priests. This fits with God’s pattern throughout Scripture of using humble, ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Theological Implications

1. Faith Comes from Hearing – Andrew followed Jesus because he heard the truth from John the Baptist. This aligns with Romans 10:17, which says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
2. Discipleship is a Personal Decision – Andrew didn’t just listen; he acted. Each person must decide for themselves whether to follow Jesus. No one can do it for them.
3. God Uses Ordinary People – Andrew was not famous or powerful, but he was faithful. God does not call only the rich or influential—He calls those who are willing to follow Him.
4. Bringing Others to Jesus is Part of Discipleship – Even though this verse focuses on Andrew’s own decision to follow Jesus, in the next verse, we see that his first action was to go and tell his brother Peter about Jesus. True faith leads to sharing the good news with others.

Literary Analysis

This verse is simple but important in the flow of John’s Gospel.

• Andrew is named first, showing that he was an important part of the first group of disciples.
• “One of the two” emphasizes that discipleship often begins with a personal encounter—Jesus calls individuals, and those individuals bring others.
• Mentioning Simon Peter’s name foreshadows Peter’s future importance as one of Jesus’ inner circle. Even though Andrew was first, Peter would become more prominent.

This verse also connects to the theme of testimony in John’s Gospel. John the Baptist testified about Jesus, and Andrew responded to that testimony by following Christ. Later, Andrew would do the same by bringing his brother to Jesus.

Biblical Cross-References

• John 1:36-37 – John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” leading Andrew to follow Him.
• Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message.” Andrew heard and responded.
• Matthew 4:18-19 – Jesus calls Andrew and Peter to leave their fishing business and follow Him.
• John 6:8-9 – Andrew plays a role in bringing the boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus, showing his faith in Jesus’ ability to provide.
• John 12:20-22 – Andrew brings Greeks who want to meet Jesus, showing his role as a connector between Jesus and others.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

John 1:40 teaches an important truth: Faith begins when we hear the truth about Jesus and respond.

Many people today hear about Jesus but never take the next step of personally following Him. Andrew’s example challenges believers to not just listen to the gospel, but to act on it.

This verse also encourages those who feel “behind the scenes” in ministry. Andrew was not as famous as his brother Peter, but he was the one who brought Peter to Jesus! Sometimes, the greatest impact comes from leading one person to Christ, who then influences many more.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in how He invites ordinary people to follow Him. Jesus didn’t choose religious leaders or the rich to be His first disciples—He chose fishermen like Andrew.

This verse also shows God’s desire for people to know Him personally. He could have told Andrew everything at once, but instead, He invited Andrew to follow Him and learn along the way. This is how God works—He calls people into a relationship, not just a set of beliefs.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

John 1:40 highlights how Jesus gathers His first disciples, which will eventually lead to the formation of the Church.

• Jesus is the true Rabbi – Andrew calls Him “Rabbi,” showing that Jesus is the ultimate Teacher.
• Jesus is the fulfillment of John’s message – Andrew heard John the Baptist’s words and followed Jesus, proving that Jesus is the one John was preparing people for.
• Jesus’ ministry begins with personal relationships – Instead of starting with large crowds, Jesus begins with a few disciples who will later spread the message worldwide.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does Andrew’s example challenge you to take action in following Jesus?
2. Who in your life told you about Jesus, like John the Baptist did for Andrew? Have you thanked them?
3. Are there people in your life you can introduce to Jesus, just like Andrew brought his brother Peter?
4. How does this verse encourage you if you feel like your role in the Kingdom of God is small?
5. What steps can you take today to be more active in sharing your faith?

John 1:40 is a simple but powerful reminder that faith starts with hearing the truth and responding to Jesus. Andrew’s quiet obedience led to a ripple effect—he brought Peter, and Peter would later become one of the greatest leaders in the early Church.

The lesson is clear: God can use anyone who is willing to follow Jesus and point others to Him. Will you be like Andrew and take that step of faith today?