John 1:38
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
John 1:38 in other translations
| BSB | Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?” |
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| WEB | Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?” |
| ASV | And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou? |
| YLT | And Jesus having turned, and having beheld them following, saith to them, ‘What seek ye?' and they said to them, ‘Rabbi, (which is, being interpreted, Teacher,) where remainest thou?' |
| DARBY | But Jesus having turned, and seeing them following, says to them, What seek ye? And they said to him, Rabbi (which, being interpreted, signifies Teacher), where abidest thou? |
| BBE | And Jesus, turning round, saw them coming after him and said to them, What are you looking for? They said to him, Rabbi (which is to say, Master), where are you living? |
| Webster | Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith to them, What seek ye? They said to him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master) where dwellest thou? |
What does John 1:38 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Joh 1:37-51. First Gathering of Disciples--John Andrew, Simon, Philip, Nathanael.
38. What seek ye--gentle, winning question, remarkable as the Redeemer's first public utterance. (See on Mt 12:18-20.) where dwellest thou--that is, "That is a question we cannot answer in a moment; but had we Thy company for a calm hour in private, gladly should we open our burden."Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
1st. That Jesus regards the first inclinations of the soul to follow him. He turned toward these disciples, and he will incline his ear to all who begin to approach him for salvation.
2nd. Jesus is ready to hear their requests and to answer them.
3rd. Ministers of the gospel, and all other Christians, should be accessible, kind, and tender toward all who are inquiring the way to life. In conformity with their Master, they should be willing to aid all those who look to them for guidance and help in the great work of their salvation.
Rabbi. This was a Jewish title conferred somewhat as literary degrees now are, and meaning literally a great one, and was applied to a teacher or master in the Jewish schools. It corresponded with the title Doctor. Our Saviour solemnly forbade his disciples to wear that title. Mt 23:8. The fact that John interpreted this word shows that he wrote his gospel not for the Jews only, but for those who did not understand the Hebrew language. It is supposed to have been written at Ephesus.
Where dwellest thou? This question they probably asked him in order to signify their wish to be with him and to be instructed by him. They desired more fully to listen to him than they could now by the wayside. They were unwilling to interrupt him in his travelling. Religion teaches men true politeness, or a disposition to consult the convenience of others, and not improperly to molest them, or to break in upon them when engaged. It also teaches us to desire to be with Christ; to seek every opportunity of coremration with him, and chiefly to desire to be with him where he is when we leave this world. Comp. Php 1:23.
(5) "tenth hour" or, that was two hours before night.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 1:37-42
The strongest and most prevailing argument with an awakened soul to follow Christ, is, that it is he only who takes away sin. Whatever communion there is between our souls and Christ, it is he who begins the discourse. He asked, What seek ye? The question Jesus put to them, we should all put to ourselves when we begin to follow Him, What do we design and desire? In following Christ, do we seek the favour of God and…
John 1:38 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for John 1:38
- John 18:7
Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
- John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
- John 1:49
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
- Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
- John 18:4
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
- Psalms 27:4
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
- John 12:21
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
- John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
- John 6:25
And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
- Luke 19:5
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
- Matthew 23:7-8
And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
- Acts 10:29
Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lu 14:25; 15:20; 19:5; 22:61
What.
18:4,7; 20:15,16; Lu 7:24-27; 18:40,41; Ac 10:21,29
Rabbi.
49; 3:2,26; 6:25; Mt 23:7,8
where.
12:21; Ru 1:16; 1Ki 10:8; Ps 27:4; Pr 3:18; 8:34; 13:20; So 1:7,8
Lu 8:38; 10:39
dwellest. or, abidest.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- John 1:37
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
- John 1:38
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
- John 1:39
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
John 1:38 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y volviéndose Jesús, y viéndolos seguir le, díceles: ¿Qué buscáis? Y ellos le dijeron: Rabbí (que declarado quiere decir Maestro) ¿dónde moras? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et Jésus se retournant, et voyant qu’ils le suivaient, leur dit: Que cherchez-vous? Et ils lui dirent: Rabbi (ce qui, interprété, signifie maître), où demeures-tu? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Jesus aber wandte sich um und sah sie nachfolgen und spricht zu ihnen: Was suchet ihr? Sie aber sagten zu ihm: Rabbi, wo hältst du dich auf? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Conversus autem Jesus, et videns eos sequentes se, dicit eis: Quid quæritis? Qui dixerunt ei: Rabbi (quod dicitur interpretatum Magister), ubi habitas? |