Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
39. Come and see ] The more probable reading gives, Come and ye shall see.
they came ] Insert, therefore.
that day ] That memorable day.
it was about the tenth hour ] S. John remembers the very hour of this crisis in his life: all the details of the narrative are very lifelike.
It is sometimes contended that S. John reckons the hours of the day according to the modern method, from midnight to midnight, and not according to the Jewish method, from sunset to sunset, as everywhere else in N.T. and in Josephus. It is antecedently improbable that S. John should in this point vary from the rest of N.T. writers; and we ought to require strong evidence before accepting this theory, which has been adopted mainly in order to escape from the difficulty of Joh 19:14, where see notes. Setting aside Joh 19:14 as the cause of the question, we have four passages in which S. John mentions the hour of the day, this, Joh 4:6; Joh 4:52 and Joh 11:9. None of them are decisive: but in no single case is the balance of probability strongly in favour of the modern method. See notes in each place. Here either 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. would suit the context: and while the antecedent probability that S. John reckons time like the rest of the Evangelists will incline us to 4 p.m., the fact that a good deal still remains to be done on this day makes 10 a.m. rather more suitable. Origen knows nothing of S. John’s using the modern method of reckoning.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Come and see – This was a kind and gracious answer. He did not put them off to some future period. Then, as now, he was willing that they should come at once and enjoy the full opportunity which they desired of his conversation. Jesus is ever ready to admit those who seek him to his presence and favor.
Abode with him – Remained with him. This was probably the dwelling of some friend of Jesus. His usual home was at Nazareth.
The tenth hour – The Jews divided their day into twelve equal parts, beginning at sunrise. If John used their mode of computation, this was about four oclock p. m. The Romans divided time as we do, beginning at midnight. If John used their mode, it was about ten oclock in the forenoon. It is not certain which he used.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 39. Come and see.] If those who know not the salvation of God would come at the command of Christ, they should soon see that with him is the fountain of life, and in his light they should see light. Reader, if thou art seriously inquiring where Christ dwelleth, take the following for answer: He dwells not in the tumult of worldly affairs, nor in profane assemblies, nor in worldly pleasures, nor in the place where drunkards proclaim their shame, nor in carelessness and indolence. But he is found in his temple, wherever two or three are gathered together in his name, in secret prayer, in self-denial, in fasting, in self-examination. He also dwells in the humble, contrite spirit, in the spirit of faith, of love, of forgiveness, of universal obedience; in a word, he dwells in the heaven of heavens, whither he graciously purposes to bring thee, if thou wilt come and learn of him, and receive the salvation which he has bought for thee by his own blood.
The tenth hour] Generally supposed to be about what we call four o’clock in the afternoon. According to Joh 11:9, the Jews reckoned twelve hours in the day; and of course each hour of the day, thus reckoned, must have been something longer or shorter, according to the different times of the year in that climate. The sixth hour with them answered to our twelve o’clock, as appears from what Josephus says in his life, chap. liv. That on the Sabbath day it was the rule for the Jews to go to dinner at the sixth hour, ( .) The Romans had the same way of reckoning twelve hours in each of their days. Hence what we meet with in Hor. lib. ii. sat. vi. l. 34: ante secundam signifies, as we should express it, before eight o’clock. And when, in lib. i. sat. vi. l. 122, he says, ad quartam jaceo, he means that he lay in bed till ten o’clock. See Bishop Pearce on this place. Dr. Macknight, however, is of opinion that the evangelist is to be understood as speaking of the Roman hour, which was ten o’clock in the morning; and as the evangelist remarks, they abode with him that day, it implies that there was a considerable portion of time spent with our Lord, in which, by his conversation, he removed all their scruples, and convinced them that he was the Messiah. But, had it been the Jewish tenth hour, it would have been useless to remark their abiding with him that day, as there were only two hours of it still remaining. Harmony, vol. i. p. 52.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Our Lord discerning the end of their following him to be sincere and good, invites them to
come and see where his lodging was; for he elsewhere telleth us, that he had not a house wherein to hide his head.
They came and saw his lodgings; where, or of what nature they were, we are not told, but we never read that he during his whole pilgrimage amongst us had any stately or splendid lodgings.
The text saith that these two disciples
abode with him that day; whether only the two or three remaining hours of the same day, (for it was now about four of the clock afternoon, which answers the tenth hour according to the Jewish account), or another whole day, being the sabbath day, (as some think), we are not told, nor can conclude; certain it is, they abode with him the remaining part of that day, from four of the clock till night.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
39. Come and seeHis secondutterance, more winning still.
tenth hournot ten A.M.(as some), according to Roman, but four P.M.,according to Jewish reckoning, which John follows. The hour ismentioned to show why they stayed out the day with himbecauselittle of it remained.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He saith unto them, come and see,…. He gave them an invitation, to go along with him directly, and see with their own eyes, where he dwelt, and there and then converse with him, and at any other time; to which they had a hearty welcome:
they came and saw where he dwelt; they accepted of the invitation, and went along with him immediately, and saw, and took notice of the place where he had lodgings, that they might know it, and find it another time; which Dr. Lightfoot conjectures was at Capernaum, which is very probable; since that was his own city, where he paid tribute, where he frequently resorted, and was on the banks of Jordan, near the lake of Gennesaret; and these disciples were Galilaeans:
and abode with him that day; the remaining part of the day, which they spent in delightful conversation with him; by which they knew that he was the Messiah; at least they were better instructed in this matter, and more confirmed in it. The Arabic version renders it, “they remained with him that his own day”; and Dr. Lightfoot thinks the next day is meant, and that it was the sabbath day, which they kept with him in private devotion and conference:
for it was about the tenth hour; which, according to the Roman way of reckoning, must be ten o’clock in the morning; so that there was a considerable part of the day before them; but according to the Jewish way of reckoning, who reckon twelve hours to a day, it must be four o’clock in the afternoon, when there were but two hours to night: and this being; about the time when the lamb of the daily sacrifice of the evening was offered up, very seasonably did John point unto them, at this time, Christ the Lamb of God, the antitype of that sacrifice; for the daily evening sacrifice was slain at eight and a half, and was offered at nine and a half f, or between the ninth and tenth hours of the day. The Ethiopic version renders it, “they remained with him that day unto the tenth hour”.
f Misn. Pesachim, c. 5. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Come and ye shall see ( ). Polite invitation and definite promise (future middle indicative from , correct text, not imperative ).
Where he abode ( ). Indirect question preserving the present active indicative after secondary tense (, saw) according to regular Greek idiom. Same verb as in 38.
With him (‘ ). “By his side,” “beside him.”
That day ( ). Accusative of extent of time, all during that day.
About the tenth hour ( ). Roman time and so ten o’clock in the morning. John in Ephesus at the close of the century naturally uses Roman time. See 20:19 “evening on that day,” clearly Roman time. Thus also Joh 19:14 (sixth hour, morning) and Mr 15:25 (third hour, nine A.M.) suit. To his latest day John never forgot the hour when first he met Jesus.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “He saith unto them, Come and see.” (legei autois erchesthe kai opsesthe) “You all just come with me and you will see,” for yourselves or on your own behalf. This is our Lord’s first invitation for one to come to Him; His invitation is still extended to inquiring souls, to weary, seeking souls. He still says, “come” I am accessible; at my residence the latch is open, Mat 11:28-30; Joh 6:37, Rev 22:17.
2) “They came and saw where he dwelt,” (elthan oun kai eidon pou menei) “Then they went, by their own choice, and saw where he resided,” spent the remainder of the day with Him. They responded to this call to be His disciples, Mat 4:18-22. It was also a call to service.
3) “And abode with him that day: (kai par’ auto emeinan ten hemeran ekeinen) “And they remained or resided with him that day,” the remainder of that day, at ,least two hours, until nightfall. This was the most decisive act of John and Andrew’s lives.
4) “For it was about the tenth hour.” (hora en hos dekate) “It was about the tenth hour of that day,” or about four o’clock in the afternoon, about two hours before sun-down, calculating day from rising to the going down of the sun as a day.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
39. It was about the tenth hour; that is, the evening was approaching, for it was not more than two hours till sunset. The day was at that time divided by them into twelve hours, which were longer in summer and shorter in winter. But from this circumstance we infer that those disciples were so eagerly desirous to hear Christ, and to gain a more intimate knowledge of him, that they gave themselves no concern about a night’s lodging. On the contrary, we are, for the most part, very unlike them, for we incessantly delay, because it is not convenient for us to follow Christ.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(39) Come and see.They think of a visit later, it may be, on the following day. He bids them come at once. We know not where. We have no hint of any words spoken. It was the sacred turning-point of the writers own life, and its incidents are fixed in a depth of thought and feeling that no human eye may penetrate. But he remembers the very hour. It was as we should say four oclock in the afternoon (see marg.), for there is no sufficient reason for thinking that the Babylonian method of counting the hours, usual at Ephesus as at Jerusalem, is departed from in this Gospel.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
39. Come and see The usual formula addressed by the rabbi to his pupil when he would invite his attention to some striking point or new doctrine.
Where he dwelt It may have been a house, a tent, or, as is often the case in Palestine, a cave or grot. There did Andrew and John spend the residue of the day in converse with Jesus; and there did they, these two disciples of the Baptist, come to that faith in Jesus by which, without if or qualification, they could say to Simon, We have found the Messiah. See note on Joh 1:45.
The tenth hour Ten o’clock A.M. by Roman time; or four P.M. by Jewish time. See note on Joh 19:4.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘He says to them, “Come, and you will see.”
The subtle interchange continues, but while at the time its meaning was casual it is now more subtle. They should go with Him and see. But later they will follow Him all the way and will see clearly where He abides and will go with Him and to Him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
‘They came therefore and saw where he dwelt, and they remained with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.’
So in response to Jesus’ invitation they go to where He is staying and spend the day with Him, presumably being taught by Him. But behind it may well lie the implication that they also became enlightened by Him as to His eternal dwelling place (‘they saw where He dwelt’). They became aware that He was truly from God. The reference to the tenth hour suggests someone who was there. He remembers the time of day because he was involved.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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.
Ver. 39. Come and see ] A most gracious invitation. That self-seeking scribe, Mat 8:19 , met with far other entertainment. Let men bring to Jesus Christ but lawful petitions and honest aims, and they may have what they will of him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
39. ] On . Euthym [34] remarks, , , , . , .
[34] Euthymius Zigabenus, 1116
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
see. Greek eidon. App-133., but all the texts read “Ye shall see”. Greek. horao. App-133.
with. Greek. para. App-104.
the tenth hour: i.e. of the day, according to Hebrew reckoning. The context must decide whether of the night or day. Here, therefore, 4pm. (Compare the other hours in John: here: Joh 4:6, Joh 4:52; Joh 11:9; Joh 19:14. See App-165).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
39.] On . Euthym[34] remarks, , , , . , .
[34] Euthymius Zigabenus, 1116
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 1:39. , they saw) They might have seen proofs of the Messiah in His dwelling; which was simple, quiet, neat, silent, and frugal, without any costly array of vases and books, (comp. 2Ki 4:10 [Elishas little chamber on the wall of the Shunammite, containing a bed, table, stool, and candlestick,]) in a word, worthy of Himself and of Him alone.-, they abode) Constancy becomes disciples.-, day) O happy day!-, hour) Andrew made haste, even though late in the evening, to tell the [glad] tidings to his brother.[These incidents preceded sunset by two hours,-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 1:39
Joh 1:39
He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour.-He acknowledged himself a teacher, accepted them as learners, and asked them to come with him to his home. They did and remained with him, for it was now four oclock in the afternoon. They spent the night with him. We may well suppose that the time was spent in discoursing of his mission and teaching. The work of Jesus in the world has been greatly hindered and marred by the unfaithfulness of his followers, yet, imperfect as that work has been, the contrast between the conditions of the world where
Jesus has been known and where he has not must convince the most superficial observer of the immense good Jesus has done the world. The lifting up of the common people, the provisions for the unfortunate and helpless are found only where the teachings of Jesus have gone. There is not a hospital or asylum for the unfortunate in the world that has not been built by the influence of Jesus. It would be difficult to find a country where a workingman could get more than twenty-five cents a day for labor save where Christ is known. He lifts up and helps the helpless today through the influence of his teaching as in his personal ministry.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Come The call to discipleship. Cf. Mat 4:18-22 the call to service.
tenth hour That was two hours before night.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Come: Joh 1:46, Joh 6:37, Joh 14:22, Joh 14:23, Pro 8:17, Mat 11:28-30
abode: Joh 4:40, Act 28:30, Act 28:31, Rev 3:20
about: “That was two hours before night.” Luk 24:29
Reciprocal: Mat 20:5 – sixth Joh 6:25 – Rabbi Joh 11:34 – General Act 10:21 – Behold Rev 22:17 – let him that heareth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
Jesus invited the disciples to go with him and see where he was staying. As it was about the tenth hour (our 4 o’clock), they visited the rest of the day.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 1:39. He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode, and abode with him that day. The seeker shall not seek in vain. They had asked where He abode; and that the answer of Jesus was a direct meeting of their request is proved by the statement immediately made by the Evangelist, that they came and saw where He abode. The nature of the intercourse is not described. We are left only to imagine from the confession of Andrew in Joh 1:41 what must have been the solemn teachings, the gracious communications of Himself by Jesus, the patient instructing of ignorance, the tender removal of doubts, until, in all the joy of their new discovery, they could say, We have found. This much, however, we seem entitled to infer from the thrice-repeated abide or abode,a word characteristic of the Fourth Gospel, and always full of deep and solemn import,that the Evangelist designs to convey to us something more than the thought of mere outward presence with Jesus.
It was about the tenth hour. There are four passages in which the Evangelist directly refers to the hour of the day at which an event occurred (see chap. Joh 4:6; Joh 4:52, Joh 19:14). But for the last of these passages it might be natural to suppose that John, like the other Evangelists, reckons time from sunrise, an hour being the twelfth part of the (varying) interval between sunrise and sunset. As, however, Mark records (chap. Joh 15:25) that Jesus was crucified at the ‘third hour (between 8 and 9 A.M.), and John expressly states that His condemnation was later than the sixth hour, the probability that the latter writer follows a different reckoning is very strong. Further investigation has shown that at the very time when this book was written a mode of computation substantially agreeing with our own was known in Asia Minor (where John wrote) and elsewhere. It is easy to see that in such a matter as this a writer naturally follows the custom of those amongst whom he lives, and whom he has immediately in view as his readers. We shall assume, therefore, in each case that the hour (of fixed length, not variable) is reckoned from midnight or noon. Here the tenth hour will no doubt be the hour between 9 and 10 A.M.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 39
The tenth hour; the latter part of the afternoon.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
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 {t} tenth hour.
(t) It was getting later in the night.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jesus responded by inviting them to accompany Him, not just to see where He was staying but to visit Him. They first had to come with Him and then they would see. This statement was also highly significant spiritually. Only by coming to Jesus could they really comprehend what they were seeking spiritually. The same thing holds true today. The two men accepted Jesus’ invitation and stayed with Him for the rest of that day.
Jesus apparently issued his invitation near 4:00 p.m. John was more precise in his time references than the Synoptic evangelists (cf. Joh 4:6; Joh 4:52; Joh 19:14). [Note: See A Dictionary of the Bible, s.v. "Numbers, Hours, Years, and Dates," by W. M. Ramsay, extra volume: 478.] The Jews reckoned their days from sunset to sunset, and they divided both night and day into 12-hour periods.