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THE KING’S BUSINESS
V. 37. “And the two disciples heard him speak (rather, “speaking”) and they followed Jesus.” The disci ples had heard Him saying the same thing the previous day, but the repe tition of the testimony made such a deep impression upon them that they at once left their old master and fol lowed the new one to Whom he pointed them. John had not told them to follow Him, but the impression of his words was so profound that with out any direct command they did so. So deep was the impression made upon one of the two, that is upon John, that he applies the name that he heard that day, “Lamb,” to the risen Saviour more than seventy times in the Book of Revelation,. which he wrote so many years afterward. The tense of the Greek word translated “followed” denotes a single act, and Westcott well puts it, “The word ex presses a single act as their choice was made once for all.” The follow ing of Jesus at this time was the crisis of their life. It was a definite and de liberate conversion. It was without excitement, very calm, but resulting from deep conviction wrought by the Word of God, the inspired testimony of John the Baptist. They were yield ing, though they_ did not realize it at the time, to the inward prompting of the Spirit of God. V. 38. “Then (rather, “But”) Jesus turned and saw (rather “be held”) them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They (rather, “And they”) said, unto him, Rabbi {which is to say being interpreted Master (rather, “Teacher”) “where dwellest (rather, “ abidest”) thou?” Andrew and John were following for the purpose of seeking an inter view with Him. Jesus realized that they were following Him and knew what they sought. He made the way of approach to Himself easier by turn”
ing around toward them and begin ning the conversation Himself. The purpose of His question was twofold; First, to relieve their embarrassment and give them an opportunity to ex press their need; second, to lead them to search their hearts and inquire into the real purpose of their following Him. Taking the question and the in vitation that follows in the next verse together, we have a striking illustra tion of our Lord’s method of dealing with men in all times; first leading them to deep heart searchings and then inviting them to Himself. An drew and John’s answer to the Lord Jesus’ searching question is full of suggestion. In a delicate way they told Him that what they were seek ing was personal communion with Himself. They wished to be with Him, that and that alone would sat isfy the craving of their hearts. They were not seeking a thing, a “what,” they were seeking a Person, Himself. More or less clearly they realized that their need was Christ Himself and not some gift from Christ. They had, however, no very full recognition yet, in spite of John’s testimony, as to who Jesus was; for they gave Him at-first no higher title than that of “Rabbi,” a title recently introduced among the Jews and which John himself explains as being equivalent to the Greek word for “teacher.” By interpreting the meaning of the title John makes it evident that his Gospel was written for readers ignorant of Jewish cus toms. V. 39. “He saith unto them, Come and see (rather, “ye shall see”) ’ They came {therefore) and saw where he dwelt (rather, “abode”) ; and abode with him that day; for (omit, “for) it was about the tenth hour.” Our Lord’s invitation to Andrew and John was very simple, but it contains, the heart of the Gospel invitation; the
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