John 1:43

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come with me!

John 1:43 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:43

The day following
Not the day after John had pointed out Christ, as the Lamb of God, to two of his disciples; but the day after Simon had been with him, being brought by Andrew:

Jesus would go forth into Galilee;
from whence he came to Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him; and which being done, and his temptations in the wilderness over, it was his will, resolution, and determination, to return to Galilee, the place of his education and conversation, till this time; and therefore chose to begin his ministry, and miracles, there, both to give honour to it, and to fulfil a prophecy in ( Isaiah 9:1 Isaiah 9:2 ) ; and besides this, he had doubtless another end in going thither: which was to call some other disciples that dwelt there:

and findeth Philip;
as he was going to Galilee, or rather when in it; not by hap or chance; but knowing where he was, as the shepherd and bishop of souls, looked him up and found him out, and called him by his grace, and to be a disciple of his; (See Gill on Matthew 10:3);

and saith unto him, follow me;
leave thy friends, thy calling, and business, and become a disciple of mine: and such power went along with these words, that he at once left all, and followed Christ; as the other disciples, Peter, and Andrew, James, and John, and Matthew did, as is recorded of them, though not of this; but the following history makes it appear he did.

John 1:43 In-Context

41 At once he found his brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah." (This word means "Christ.")

42 Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "Your name is Simon son of John, but you will be called Cephas." (This is the same as Peter and means "a rock.")

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come with me!

44 (Philip was from Bethsaida, the town where Andrew and Peter lived.)

45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one whom Moses wrote about in the book of the Law and whom the prophets also wrote about. He is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth."