The Calling of the First Disciples (John 1:35–42)

The texts below are quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations; nothing is paraphrased.

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St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)

Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homilies 18–19 (on John 1:35–42) Source: trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 14. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf114/npnf114.iv.xx.html

On the Baptist, the friend of the Bridegroom, who gives his disciples over to Christ:

Christ utters no word, His messenger saith all. So it is with a bridegroom. ... It was His friend, John, who put into His the bride's right hand, when by his discourses he gave into His hand the souls of men.

On "What seek ye?", and the good resolution that God meets when once it begins:

Hence we are taught, that God does not prevent our wills by His gifts, but that when we begin, when we provide the being willing, then He gives us many opportunities of salvation.

On Andrew, who kept not the treasure to himself:

Andrew, after having tarried with Jesus and learned what He did, kept not the treasure to himself, but hastens and runs quickly to his brother, to impart to him of the good things which he had received.

On the naming of Simon, where the present guarantees the future:

By the present, the future is guaranteed; for it is clear that He who named Peter's father foreknew the future also.

On why the full word of the rock is withheld until a later hour:

And observe, that not even the prediction is fully set forth; for Jesus did not say, "I will change thy name to Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church," but, "Thou shalt be called Cephas."

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St. Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444)

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 2 (on John 1:35–42) Source: trans. P. E. Pusey, Library of Fathers, 1874. Public domain. Full text: https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cyril_on_john_02_book2.htm

On the second "Behold the Lamb of God," by which the Baptist sends his own to Christ:

For the Baptist, not shrinking from pointing out the Lord to his disciples, and from saying a second time, Behold the Lamb of God, is seen to have so greatly profited them, as to at length even persuade them to follow Him and already to desire discipleship under Him.

On "What seek ye?", asked not out of ignorance:

But He saith unto them, What seek ye? not as though ignorant (whence could it be so?), for He knoweth all things, as God; but making the question a beginning and root of His discourse.

On "Come and see," and the search that brooks no delay:

He doth not point out the house, though asked to do it, but rather bids them come forthwith to it: teaching first, as by example, that it is not well to cast delays in the way of search after what is good

On Andrew, who declares the whole mystery to his brother in a brief summary:

Andrew then saves his brother (this was Peter), having declared the whole mystery in a brief summary. ... For we have found, he says, Jesus, as Treasure hid in a field, or as One Pearl of great price, according to the parables in the Gospels.

On the untaught knowledge of Christ, who names Simon anew:

For not having needed a single word, nor even sought to learn who or whence the man came to Him; He says of what father he was born, and what was his own name, and permits him to be no more called Simon, already exercising lordship and power over him, as being His: but changes it to Peter from Petra ... for upon him was He about to found His Church.

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Theophylact of Ohrid (c. 1055–1107)

Explanation of the Gospel of John (on John 1:36–38) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on John. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CAJohn.htm

On the Baptist looking upon Jesus as he spoke:

Looking he said, as if signifying by his looks his love and admiration for Christ.

On why the Lord turned to those who were following Him:

Observe then, that it was upon those who followed Him, that our Lord turned His face and looked upon them. Unless you by your good works follow Him, you shall never be permitted to see His face, or enter into His dwelling.

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Origen of Alexandria (c. 185–254)

Commentary on the Gospel of John (on John 1:38–39) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on John. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CAJohn.htm

On the Lord's question, coming after the Baptist's testimonies:

Perhaps it is not without a reason, that after six testimonies John ceases to bear witness, and Jesus asks seventhly, What seek you?

On the twofold "Come and see":

Or perhaps come, is an invitation to action; see, to contemplation.

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Blessed Augustine of Hippo (354–430)

Tractates on the Gospel of John, Tractate 7 (on John 1:38–42) Source: trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 7. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf107/npnf107.iii.viii.html

On the blessed day and night the two disciples spent with the Lord:

He showed them where He dwelt: they came and remained with Him. What a blessed day they spent, what a blessed night! Who can make known to us those things which they heard from the Lord? Let us also build in our heart, and make a house into which He may come and teach us, and have converse with us.

On the tenth hour, and the law that was to be fulfilled by love:

That number signifies the law, because the law was given in ten commandments. But the time had come for the law to be fulfilled by love, because it could not be fulfilled by the Jews by fear.

On the foreknowledge that named the father of Peter:

He knew all the names of His own saints, whom He predestinated before the foundation of the world; and dost thou wonder that He said to one man, Thou art the son of this man, and thou shall be called this or that?

On the change from Simon to Peter, and the rock that is the Church:

Is it a great matter that He changed his name, and converted it from Simon to Peter? Peter is from petra, a rock, but the petra ... is the Church; in the name of Peter, then, was the Church figured. And who is safe, unless he who builds upon the rock?

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St. Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735)

Homilies and Commentary on the Gospel of John (on John 1:41–42) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on John. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CAJohn.htm

On what it is truly to find the Lord:

This is truly to find the Lord; viz. to have fervent love for Him, together with a care for our brother's salvation.

On the eye of the Godhead that beheld Simon:

He beheld him not with His natural eye only, but by the insight of His Godhead discerned from eternity the simplicity and greatness of his soul, for which he was to be elevated above the whole Church.