New Testament · Gospel

John 1:40

The Word Made Flesh

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. John 1:40 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

John 1:40, in plain English

One of the two men who followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

Why it's here

Andrew may not be as famous as his brother Peter, but he was one of the very first people to follow Jesus. God values faithfulness over fame.

Who's speaking

John identifies Andrew by name as one of the first two followers of Jesus.

Where it sits in the story

Andrew didn't end up being the most famous apostle, but he was one of the first. And his first instinct after meeting Jesus was to go tell his brother.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

One of the two disciples is identified as Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter; the other remains unnamed, traditionally identified as the beloved disciple (John himself).

Language and setting

The identification of Andrew by his relationship to Simon Peter foreshadows Peter's importance. The unnamed disciple's anonymity is characteristic of the Fourth Gospel's treatment of the beloved disciple.

Voice

The narrator identifies one of the first two disciples as Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

Significance

Andrew is introduced through his familial connection to Peter, establishing a relational chain: John the Baptist leads Andrew to Jesus, and Andrew will lead Peter to Jesus.

In context

John 1:38–42

38Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked.

39“Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.

40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus.

41He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).

42Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

Read all of John 1 — John doesn't begin with a birth story. He begins with a cosmic declaration that echoes the first line of Genesis on purpose.

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