Three Commentaries on the New Testament
August 3, 2015
G.D.O'Bradovich III
THE IDENTITY OF THE THE AUTHOR OF THE FOURTH GOSPEL
The fourth Gospel ranks in my top ten lists of Gospels. My fondness for this gospel comes in part because most people refer to it as the Gospel of John, as though John wrote it. They are unaware that the full title is “The Gospel according to Saint John” and only tradition assigns its authorship to John: there is no textual evidence for this supposition. In the first chapter of the fourth Gospel we read:
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he [John the Baptist] saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
And the two disciples [of John the Baptist] heard him [John the Baptist] speak, and they followed Jesus.
Then Jesus turned...and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi...where dwellest thou?
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt...
One of the two which heard John speak... was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
And he [Andrew] brought him [Peter] to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona…
At a minimum, John the Baptist had two disciples; one is Andrew and the other is the unnamed author of the fourth Gospel.
Jesus
| Andrew | Peter |? Judas Iscariot [Peter’s son, 12:4] |
Jesus
| Author of the fourth Gospel |
Continuing in the first chapter:
The day following Jesus would ... findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him,.. the son of Joseph.
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
... Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
The fourth gospel clearly shows that Jesus found Philip and Philip found Nathanael:
Jesus
|
Philip
|
Nathanael
|
Philip
|
Nathanael
Chapter 6
[Jesus] saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
[Andrew] saith unto him,
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
Philip and Andrew are paired.
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
And there were certain Greeks ... came therefore to Philip, ...and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
Again, Philip and Andrew are paired and approach Jesus with the Greek’s request.
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord...
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples
This is the only reference to “the sons of Zebedee” in the fourth Gospel and they are not identified in the text. There are a total of four unnamed disciples during Jesus’ third appearance to his disciples. If we take the names of the disciples before the 21st chapter [Andrew, Peter, unknown author, Philip, Nathanael, Thomas, Judas, Judas Iscariot] and compare them to the 21st chapter [Peter, Nathanael, Thomas] we understand that Andrew, the unknown author, Philip, Judas and Judas Iscariot and are missing, that is, a total of five are not named.
If we remove Judas Iscariot, then Andrew, the unknown author, Judas and Philip remain[four] and this the number of unnamed disciples in the 21st chapter [four]. By the process of elimination, the identity of the last unnamed disciple must be the beloved disciple.
All references in the context of Jesus loving:
If we remove Judas Iscariot, then Andrew, the unknown author, Judas and Philip remain[four] and this the number of unnamed disciples in the 21st chapter [four]. By the process of elimination, the identity of the last unnamed disciple must be the beloved disciple.
All references in the context of Jesus loving:
Lord, behold, he [Lazarus] whom thou lovest is sick. [11:3]
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. [11:5]
Then said the Jews, Behold how he [jesus]loved him [Lazarus]! [11:36]
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. [13:23]
When Jesus therefore saw ... the disciple standing by, whom he loved... [19:26]
Then she [Mary Magdalene ]runneth.. to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved... [20:2]
Then Peter... seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following... [21:20]
[and] saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? [21:21]
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. [21:22]
This is the disciple which ...wrote these things... [21:24]
At the end of the Gospel, the author identifies himself as the beloved disciple and the only male that is specifically named whom Jesus loved is Lazarus. Therefore, the author of the fourth Gospel and the beloved disciple is Lazarus.
The disciples of Jesus:
The disciples of Jesus:
Jesus
| Andrew | Simon |? Judas Iscariot |
Jesus
| Lazarus Jesus
| Philip | Nathanael |
SIMON MAGUS IS A DISCIPLE OF PHILIP
In the eight chapter of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, we read:
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery...
To whom they all gave heed... saying, This man is the great power of God.
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God...hey were baptized, both men and women.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
The “Apostolic Succession” of Simon Magus:
Jesus
|
Philip
|
Simon[Magus]
|
Philip
|
Simon[Magus]
The Book of Acts shows that Simon “believed” and “was baptized”.
(For as yet he [the Holy Ghost] was fallen upon none of them: only they[the apostles] were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they [Peter and John] their hands on them [the Samaritans], and they received the Holy Ghost.
The Bible gives no indication that Simon [Magus] no longer believed in Jesus or sought to have his baptism nullified. Therefore according to Modern standards of Christianity, Simon Magus continued to be a Christian. We remind the Gentle Reader that any alleged writings of the Church fathers that say that Simon Magus was a disciple of John the Baptist and not Philip are contradictions of Scripture.
IN THE FOURTH GOSPEL: SIMON IS NOT IDENTICAL TO SIMON PETER
Another reason the fourth Gospel is among my favorites is that many commentators who allege the inerrancy of Scripture fail to recognize the difference between Peter and Simon Peter, that is, they deny the plain meaning of the text and have substituted a human tradition of merging the personas and prophecies of Simon Peter and Peter.
One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. [1:40]
Andrew is the brother of Simon Peter.
He first findeth his own brother Simon… [1:41]
Andrew finds his brother who is named Simon. Therefore, Andrew has at least two brothers: Simon and Simon Peter.
And he [Andrew] brought him [Simon] to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas. [1:42]
Jona is the father of Simon and Jona may be or may not be the father of Simon Peter and Andrew. Simon is now called Cephas.
Jona
|
Andrew Simon Peter Simon (Cephas)
|
Andrew Simon Peter Simon (Cephas)
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother… [6:8]
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? [6:68]
Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? [13:6]
Jesus approaches Simon Peter, but Peter speaks. If Simon Peter were speaking, then it would read “and he said unto…”
Jesus answered and said unto him [Peter], What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. [13:7]
Since Jesus “answered”, we know he is responding to Peter.
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. [13:8]
The concludes the dialog between Jesus and Peter.
Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. [13:9]
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. [13:10]
The conversation turns to Simon Peter and Jesus.
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him [beloved disciple], that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. [13:24]
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. [13:36]
Jesus answers Simon Peter with a statement that he will be a follower.
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
Jesus answered him [Peter], ... The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.[13:37-38]
Jesus answers Peter with a prophecy.
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant...
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath...[18:10-11]
Simon Peter smites the servant and Jesus tells Peter to put his sword up. Clearly, Simon Peter was creating a dangerous situation by attacking a servant. While it is not unreasonable to understand that Jesus addressed Simon Peter, in the context of the situation, Peter was prepared to defend his brother, therefore, Jesus tells Peter, not Simon Peter, to put away his sword. The other disciples would understand this order to Peter as applying to themselves and act accordingly.
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. [18:15]
Strong’s word G4897 means “to go in with” or “to go in together”. Therefore, the other disciple who knew the high priest went in and escorted Simon Peter (“followed Jesus”), but left Peter at the door and this is confirmed in the next verse:
But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. [18:16]
The other disciple goes out and brings Peter in, we assume, to a courtyard. Strong’s word G243 is used in versed fifteen and sixteen [ἄλλος, another, other]. Since we determined that Lazarus is the author of the gospel, and he had a house in Bethany with a tomb, and therefore, he was wealthy, it is not surprising that he knew the high priest.
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He [Peter] saith, I am not.
And the servants and officers stood there...and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. [18:17-18]
Peter warms himself and the Interrogation of Jesus takes place. We return to the courtyard:
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him[ Peter], Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. [18:25]
In verses 18 and 25, we learn that both Simon and Simon Peter are warming themselves.
Because the prophecy is about Peter, we assume that he responded, and not Simon Peter.
Because the prophecy is about Peter, we assume that he responded, and not Simon Peter.
One of the servants ... saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. [18:26-27]
[Mary Magdalen] ... cometh to Simon Peter and to the other [ἄλλος] disciple, whom Jesus loved .[20:2]
Mary Magdalene speaks to Simon Peter and the beloved disciple. The “other” disciple may be identical to the “beloved” disciple. If that is correct, then the “beloved” disciple was known to the high priest [18:15 and 18:16].
Peter …. and that other [ἄλλος, other; beloved] disciple...came to the sepulchre ... and the other [ἄλλος, other; beloved] disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre [20:3-4]
The other disciple outruns Peter and is the first to reach the tomb.
[The beloved disciple] ...looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then ..Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre... [20:5-6]
Then went in also that other [beloved] disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. [20:8]
The other disciple does not enter the tomb. Simon Peter enters the tomb and is followed by the beloved disciple. Peter is not mentioned again until the next chapter.
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. [20:10]
The disciples leave and:
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. [Luke 24: 12]
Whereas, Lazarus “saw and believed”, we do not know what Simon Peter thought. After Simon Peter and Lazarus leave, Peter arrives, sees the linen clothes, leaves and departs, “wondering in himself”. We continue in the fourth Gospel:
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. [21:2-3]
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. [21:7]
Lazarus tells Peter that jesus is on the shore and Simon Peter jumps into the sea.
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes...[21:11]
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He [Simon Peter] saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him [Simon Peter], Feed my lambs. He [Jesus] saith to him [Simon Peter] again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He [Simon Peter] saith unto him [Jesus], Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He [Jesus] saith unto him [Simon peter], Feed my sheep. He [jesus]saith unto him [Simon Peter] the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he [Simon Peter] said unto him [Jesus], Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him [Simon Peter], Feed my sheep.
[21:15-7]
From the context, we know that Peter is Simon Peter because jesus said to him a “third time”.
Verily, verily, I [Jesus] say unto thee [Simon Peter], When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. [21:18]
Jesus prophecies what type of death Simon Peter will suffer. Therefore, Jesus made two separate prophecies regarding two disciples: Peter would deny Jesus and Simon Peter will be crucified.
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? [21:20-21]
Peter inquires to Jesus about Lazarus. We concludes that the author of the fourth Gospel acknowledges the difference between Simon and Simon Peter, whereas the other Gospels make no distinctions and are indiscriminate regarding Simon and Simon Peter. This is an additional piece of evidence for the early date, and not the late date, of this Gospel. [Fourth Gospel Quiz]
ADDENDUM 1
The separate identities of Simon and Simon Peter in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24:
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. [12]
Peter did not encounter the risen Christ.
And, behold, two of them [the apostles, v. 10] went that same day to a village called Emmaus, ... [13]
And it came to pass, that, ... Jesus himself drew near... [15]]
And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas... [18]
And they ... returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together... Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. [33-4]
Since one of the men was named Cleopas, and Peter did not see Jesus, then Simon is the name of the other disciple. Therefore, Peter and Simon are considered seperate individuals, as far as the twenty fourth chapter of Luke is concerned.
ADDENDUM 1
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same [the Word] was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him [the Word]; and without him [the Word]was not any thing made that was made.[4] In him [the Word ]was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light [of men] shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it[ the light of men] not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same [John the Baptist] came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He [John the Baptist] was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He [the true Light] was in the world, and the world was made by him [the true Light], and the world knew him [the true Light] not. [11] He [the true Light] came unto his own, and his own received him [the true Light] not. [12] But as many as received him [the true Light], to them [who received him] gave he [the true Light] power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. [15] John [the Baptist] bare witness of him, and cried, saying,
This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
[16] And of his [Christ’s] fulness have all we[who believe on his name] received, and grace for grace.[17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [18] No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him[ the Father]. [19] And this is the record of John [the Baptist], when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him [John the Baptist],
Who art thou?
[20] And he [John the Baptist]confessed, and denied not; but confessed,
I am not the Christ.
[21] And they [priests and Levites] asked him [John the Baptist],
What then? Art thou Elias?
And he [John the Baptist] saith,
I am not.
Art thou [John the Baptist] that prophet?
And he [John the Baptist] answered,
No.
[22] Then said they [priests and Levites] unto him [John the Baptist],
Who art thou? that we [priests and Levites] may give an answer to them [the Jews]that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
[23] He [John the Baptist] said,
I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
[24] And they [the priests and Levites] which were sent were of the Pharisees.
[25] And they [the priests and Levites] asked him [John the Baptist], and said unto him [John the Baptist],
Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
[26] John answered them [the priests and Levites], saying,
I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;[27] He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
[28] These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
[29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [30] This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. [31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
[32] And John bare record, saying,
I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
[33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
[34] And I [ the author] saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.[35] Again the next day after John [the Baptist] stood, and two of his disciples;[36] And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he [John the baptist] saith,
Behold the Lamb of God!
[37] And the two disciples heard him [John the Baptist] speak, and they [the two disciples] followed Jesus.[38] Then Jesus turned, and saw them [the two disciples] following, and saith unto them [the two disciples] ,
What seek ye [the two disciples]?
They [the two disciples] said unto him [Jesus],
Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
[39] He [Jesus] saith unto them [the two disciples],
Come and see.
They [the two disciples] came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him [Jesus] that day: for it was about the tenth hour.[40] One of the two which heard John [the Baptist] speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.[41] He [Andrew] first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him [Simon],
We have found the Messias,
which is, being interpreted, the Christ. [42] And he [Andrew] brought him [Simon] to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him [Simon], he [Jesus] said,
Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas,
which is by interpretation, A stone. [43] The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him [Philip], Follow me. [44] Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. [45] Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him[Nathanael],
We[???] have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
[46] And Nathanael said unto him [Philip],
Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?
Philip saith unto him[nathanael],
Come and see.
[47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him [Nathanael],
Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
[48] Nathanael saith unto him [Jesus],
Whence knowest thou me?
Jesus answered and said unto him [Nathanael],
Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
[49] Nathanael answered and saith unto him [Jesus],
Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
[50] Jesus answered and said unto him [Nathanael],
Because I said unto thee [Nathanael], I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
[51] And he [Jesus] saith unto him [Nathanael],
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
[16] And of his [Christ’s] fulness have all we[who believe on his name] received, and grace for grace.[17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [18] No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him[ the Father]. [19] And this is the record of John [the Baptist], when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him [John the Baptist],
Who art thou?
[20] And he [John the Baptist]confessed, and denied not; but confessed,
I am not the Christ.
[21] And they [priests and Levites] asked him [John the Baptist],
What then? Art thou Elias?
And he [John the Baptist] saith,
I am not.
Art thou [John the Baptist] that prophet?
And he [John the Baptist] answered,
No.
[22] Then said they [priests and Levites] unto him [John the Baptist],
Who art thou? that we [priests and Levites] may give an answer to them [the Jews]that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
[23] He [John the Baptist] said,
I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
[24] And they [the priests and Levites] which were sent were of the Pharisees.
[25] And they [the priests and Levites] asked him [John the Baptist], and said unto him [John the Baptist],
Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
[26] John answered them [the priests and Levites], saying,
I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;[27] He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
[28] These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
[29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [30] This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. [31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
[32] And John bare record, saying,
I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
[33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
[34] And I [ the author] saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.[35] Again the next day after John [the Baptist] stood, and two of his disciples;[36] And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he [John the baptist] saith,
Behold the Lamb of God!
[37] And the two disciples heard him [John the Baptist] speak, and they [the two disciples] followed Jesus.[38] Then Jesus turned, and saw them [the two disciples] following, and saith unto them [the two disciples] ,
What seek ye [the two disciples]?
They [the two disciples] said unto him [Jesus],
Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
[39] He [Jesus] saith unto them [the two disciples],
Come and see.
They [the two disciples] came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him [Jesus] that day: for it was about the tenth hour.[40] One of the two which heard John [the Baptist] speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.[41] He [Andrew] first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him [Simon],
We have found the Messias,
which is, being interpreted, the Christ. [42] And he [Andrew] brought him [Simon] to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him [Simon], he [Jesus] said,
Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas,
which is by interpretation, A stone. [43] The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him [Philip], Follow me. [44] Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. [45] Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him[Nathanael],
We[???] have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
[46] And Nathanael said unto him [Philip],
Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?
Philip saith unto him[nathanael],
Come and see.
[47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him [Nathanael],
Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
[48] Nathanael saith unto him [Jesus],
Whence knowest thou me?
Jesus answered and said unto him [Nathanael],
Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
[49] Nathanael answered and saith unto him [Jesus],
Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
[50] Jesus answered and said unto him [Nathanael],
Because I said unto thee [Nathanael], I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
[51] And he [Jesus] saith unto him [Nathanael],
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.