Ἰωάννην 1:38

Greek Modern Translation

Στραφεις δε ο Ιησους και ιδων αυτους ακολουθουντας, λεγει προς αυτους· Τι ζητειτε; Οι δε ειπον προς αυτον, Ραββι, το οποιον ερμηνευομενον λεγεται, Διδασκαλε, που μενεις;

Parallel Translations

SBL Greek New Testament (2010)
στραφεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ θεασάμενος αὐτοὺς ἀκολουθοῦντας λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τί ζητεῖτε; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· Ῥαββί ὃ λέγεται ⸀μεθερμηνευόμενον Διδάσκαλε ποῦ μένεις;

Tischendorf 8th Edition
στραφεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ θεασάμενος αὐτοὺς ἀκολουθοῦντας λέγει αὐτοῖς·

Textus Receptus (1550/1894)
στραφεις δε ο ιησους και θεασαμενος αυτους ακολουθουντας λεγει αυτοις τι ζητειτε οι δε ειπον αυτω ραββι ο λεγεται ερμηνευομενον διδασκαλε που μενεις

Westcott/Hort UBS4 (1881)
στραφεις δε ιησους και θεασαμενος αυτους ακολουθουντας λεγει αυτοις τι ζητειτε οι δε ειπαν αυτω αββι λεγεται μεθερμηνευομενον διδασκαλεε που μενεις

Byzantine/Majority Text
στραφεις δε ο ιησους και θεασαμενος αυτους ακολουθουντας λεγει αυτοις τι ζητειτε οι δε ειπον αυτω ραββι ο λεγεται ερμηνευομενον διδασκαλε που μενεις

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

turned: Luke 14:25, Luke 15:20, Luke 19:5, Luke 22:61

What: John 18:4, John 18:7, John 20:15, John 20:16, Luke 7:24-27, Luke 18:40, Luke 18:41, Acts 10:21, Acts 10:29

where: John 12:21, Ruth 1:16, 1 Kings 10:8, Psalms 27:4, Proverbs 3:18, Proverbs 8:34, Rabbi: John 1:49, John 3:2, John 3:26, John 6:25, Matthew 23:7, Matthew 23:8 Matthew 13:20, Song of Solomon 1:7, Song of Solomon 1:8, Luke 8:38, Luke 10:39

dwellest: or, abidest

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:15 - What Matthew 11:7 - What John 9:36 - Who

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following,.... That is, "him", as the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions add: he saw by their walk, and by their countenances, that they were following him; and which he knew before he turned himself: he knew what John had said, and what an effect it had upon these disciples, and what was working in their hearts, and how desirous they were of coming up to him, and conversing with him; and therefore he turned himself, that they might have an opportunity of speaking to him; or rather, in order to speak to them first, as he did:

and saith unto them, what seek ye? This he said, not as ignorant of whom, and what they were seeking, and desirous; but to encourage them to speak to him, which, through fear and bashfulness, they might be backward to do; and therefore, he who will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, but cherishes and encourages the first motions of grace, begins first with them, and treats them in a free and familiar manner; thereby to animate and engage them to use freedom with him, and which end was answered:

they said unto him, Rabbi; a title which now began to be in much use with the Jews, and which they gave to their celebrated doctors; and these disciples of John, observing how magnificently their master spoke of Jesus, in great reverence to him, addressed him under this character; :-;

which is to say, being interpreted, master. These are the words of the evangelist, interpreting the word "Rabbi", and not of the disciples, and are left out in the Syriac and Persic versions, who, for "Rabbi", read "our master", or our "Rabbi"; being said by both the disciples, or by one in the name of both, putting the following question:

where dwellest thou? signifying, that that was not a proper place, in the public way, to enter into a conversation with him, and acquaint him with what they were desirous of; but should be glad to know where he lodged, that they might wait upon him there, either then, or on the morrow, or at any convenient time.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

What seek ye? - This was not asked to obtain “information.” Compare John 1:48. It was not a harsh reproof, forbidding them to follow him. Compare Matthew 11:28-30. It was a kind inquiry respecting their desires; an invitation to lay open their minds, to state their wishes, and to express all their feelings respecting the Messiah and their own salvation. We may learn:

1. 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.
2. Jesus is ready to hear their requests and to answer them.
3. 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. See the notes at Matthew 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 traveling. Religion teaches people 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 communion with him, and chiefly to desire “to be with him where he is” when we leave this world. Compare Philippians 1:23.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 38. What seek ye? — These disciples might have felt some embarrassment in addressing our blessed Lord, after hearing the character which the Baptist gave of him; to remove or prevent this, he graciously accosts them, and gives them an opportunity of explaining themselves to him. Such questions, we may conceive, the blessed Jesus still puts to those who in simplicity of heart desire an acquaintance with him. A question of this nature we may profitably ask ourselves: What seek ye? In this place! In the company you frequent? In the conversation you engage in? In the affairs with which you are occupied? In the works which you perform? Do you seek the humiliation, illumination, justification, edification, or sanctification of your soul? The edification of your neighbour? The good of the Church of Christ? Or, The glory of God? Questions of this nature often put to our hearts, in the fear of God, would induce us to do many things which we now leave undone, and to leave undone many things which we now perform.

Rabbi — Teacher. Behold the modesty of these disciples-we wish to be scholars, we are ignorant-we desire to be taught; we believe thou art a teacher come from God.

Where dwellest thou? — That we may come and receive thy instructions.