John 1:35-51 – The First Disciples
Read John 1:35-51
1) When are these events taking place in relation to a) John’s conversation with those sent from the Jews, and b) Jesus’ baptism?
2) In verse 36, John the Baptist again refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Besides the Passover feast of Exodus 12, what other pictures of the Lamb are present in the Old Testament?
3) One of the two disciples of John the Baptist who followed Jesus in verse 37 is named in verse 40. Most commentators speculate that the other disciple was the Apostle John. Do you think this is a reasonable speculation? Why or why not?
4) What was the two disciples’ stated purpose in following Jesus. Do you think this is really what they wanted? Why?
5) How would you characterize Jesus’ response to them?
6) Where was Jesus staying at this time? (see John 2:12)
7) Andrew’s first move is to find his brother and bring him to Jesus. What does this tell you about Andrew?
8 ) What do the words Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean? (See Psalm 2:2)
9) In the Old Testament, the priests (Exodus 28:41, 29:1-9), kings (1 Sam 9:16, 15:1), and prophets (1 Kings 19:16) were anointed. What was done to anoint someone (Exodus 29:7)? What did it mean when someone was anointed? (Ex. 40:9-15)
10) How does this relate to Jesus? (See Psalm 45:6-7 and Hebrews 1:8-9 with John 6:14, John 7:40, Hebrews 4:14-16, and Revelation 19:16)
11) What does the name Simon mean? Peter? Considering other people in the scriptures who were given new names by God (Abram, Sarai, Jacob for example), what strikes you as important in the meeting between Jesus and Simon in verse 42? When were the new names given in relation to when the meaning of the name became a reality?
12) When verse 43 says that Jesus found Philip, do you think he was actively looking for him? Why or why not? Was Philip looking for Jesus?
13) Like Andrew, Philip also brings someone else to Jesus. In John 12:20-22 they are again bringing others to Jesus. How is this important for us today?
14) In describing Jesus to Nathanael, Philip gives three significant facts. What are they? How does Nathanael react to this information? What does his reaction tell you about Nazareth? About how he views Jesus at this point?
15) Philip calls Jesus the son of Joseph, a statement that is repeated by others who are familiar with Jesus in John 6:42. Is this a problem? (See Luke 3:23)
16) What stands out to you about this first meeting between Jesus and Nathanael? Why?
17) How did Nathanael move so quickly from skeptical (v. 46) to believing (v. 49)?
18) Look up Genesis 28:10-17. What is similar and different between Jacob’s dream and Jesus’ statement here? What was Jesus communicating to Nathanael?
19) In looking at this first group of followers, based the initial impression John gives to us, who would you say would be most likely to make a great contribution to the church, and who least likely? Why? How does a scripture like 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 affect your assessment?
