The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "again John was standing" highlights John the Baptist's persistent, almost waiting posture, suggesting he was not just passively present but actively looking for Jesus to appear again after his previous testimony. This "standing" implies a deliberate, expectant stance, waiting for the next moment to point to the Lamb of God.
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The day after John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God, he's once again with two of his own disciples. As Jesus walks by, John points him out again, drawing these disciples' attention to Jesus as the One they should now follow. This encounter marks the beginning of Jesus gathering his first followers, shifting the focus from John's ministry to Jesus himself.
John the Baptist had already pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God. So why is he still standing there, with disciples, the next day?
The passage emphasizes that John the Baptist's ministry was intentionally about pointing away from himself and towards Jesus.
A Purposeful Presence
John's continued presence and focused attention on Jesus, even after his initial declaration, shows a leader fully committed to his subordinate role. He's not clinging to his platform; he's ensuring the next step for those who heard him.
Two disciples are with John the Baptist. When John points to Jesus, their focus immediately shifts. What makes them follow?
This moment is pivotal because it marks the transfer of allegiance from John the Baptist to Jesus.
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From Teacher to Master
This is the genesis of discipleship. It begins with hearing a credible testimony, and then, with courage and curiosity, turning to follow the One who is revealed.
Understand the original words
mathētai · Greek Noun
Those who follow a teacher; in the New Testament, they are learners who adhere to the teachings, lifestyle, and person of Jesus Christ.
This passage unfolds in the immediate aftermath of Jesus' baptism and John the Baptist's initial public testimony. The historical context is the very beginning of Jesus' public ministry, as He starts to gather His first disciples.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and baptizing them.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus is Baptized
Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus, and a voice from heaven declares Him the Son of God.
c. AD 27-28
John Testifies Jesus is the Lamb of God
The day after Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist points Jesus out to his disciples as 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.'
c. AD 27-28— this verse
Two Disciples Begin to Follow Jesus
The day after John's powerful testimony, John is standing with two of his own disciples, one of whom is Andrew. He points out Jesus again, and these two disciples begin to follow Jesus.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Calls Philip
After encountering Andrew and the other disciple, Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, initiating the process of gathering His first followers.
This verse directly precedes the passage, setting the scene for John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus, which is the context for these disciples' actions.
John 1:40This passage identifies Andrew as one of the two disciples, revealing the first concrete identity behind the general description in verse 35.
Acts 1:22This verse highlights the criteria for apostleship, showing the importance of having been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, a concept beginning with these first disciples.
1 Samuel 16:7This passage reminds us that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, a theme reflected when Jesus encounters and calls these disciples who might have seemed ordinary.
Matthew 4:18-20This parallel account shows Jesus calling fishermen to follow Him, illustrating the immediate and transformative nature of discipleship that begins here in John's Gospel.
ellicottJohn 1:35: "Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;"
(35) Again the next day after John stood. —Better, The next day again John was standing. The description is of a scene present to the mind, and by one of the two disciples ( John 1:40 ). The “again” refers to John 1:29 . Two of his disciples.—There is no reason for thinking that these were absent on the previous day, and that the testimony is specially repeated for them. Rather it is that, in that band of disciples too,…
vincentJohn 1:35: "Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;"
Stood (εἱστήκει)Rev., more correctly, was standing, since the imperfect tense denotes something in progress. Here, therefore, with the idea of waiting; was standing in expectation. Compare John 7:37; John 18:5, John 18:6, John 18:18.Two of his disciplesThe one was Andrew (John 1:41), the other the Evangelist himself, who studiously refrains from mentioning his own name throughout the narrative. The name of James the e…
The phrase "again John was standing" highlights John the Baptist's persistent, almost waiting posture, suggesting he was not just passively present but actively looking for Jesus to appear again after his previous testimony. This "standing" implies a deliberate, expectant stance, waiting for the next moment to point to the Lamb of God.
The day after John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God, he's once again with two of his own disciples. As Jesus walks by, John points him out again, drawing these disciples' attention to Jesus as the One they should now follow. This encounter marks the beginning of Jesus gathering his first followers, shifting the focus from John's ministry to Jesus himself.
The day after John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God, he's once again with two of his own disciples. As Jesus walks by, John points him out again, drawing these disciples' attention to Jesus as the One they should now follow. This encounter marks the beginning of Jesus gathering his first followers, shifting the focus from John's ministry to Jesus himself.
"The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples," — The phrase "again John was standing" highlights John the Baptist's persistent, almost waiting posture, suggesting he was not just passively present but actively looking for Jesus to appear again afte…
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Last reviewed October 2026