A "Seeing" Motif in John 1:35-42

There seems to be an  interesting motif built around the idea of seeing and perceiving in John 1:35-42. In v. 36, John the Baptist "looked at  Jesus as He walked," then speaks to two disciples that were with him, declaring "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The first term, ἐμβλέπω (emblepo), tells us that John did more then just give passing notice to Jesus as He walked by, but rather he directed his attention toward Him. The second term, ἴδε (ide), reinforces this idea. We often find this term utilized when a speaker wishes to prompt attention toward something or someone--"Look! Pay attention!" is the intent. Together, these terms referring to seeing and perceiving may serve to set in motion a stream of related ideas that form a unity within the narrative with significant theological impact.

The immediate response of the two disciples to John the Baptist's declaration is to follow Jesus (v.37). This in turn prompts an interesting question on the part of the Savior in v.38: "What do you seek?" ζητέω (zeteo) is a very common word in the New Testament related to searching for something. This seeking may utilize the eyes, as in the search for something that has been lost, or it may involve an intellectual search, as in the process of determining meaning and understanding. The context may indicate a deeper theological meaning is intended, or at least inferred as a double entendre.

The disciples respond that they wish to know where Jesus is staying, to which He in turn responds, "Come and you will see" (v.39). Here we find a fourth term related to the concept of seeing: ὁράω (horao). The disciples are invited to come along with Jesus, with the promise that they will see. And that is just what they did. They "came and saw where He was staying", remaining with Jesus for a period of time.

Verses 40-41 records the immediate response of one of the disciples, Andrew, and it is his response that ties together the usage of these terms and brings out their theological force in the narrative: "He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah.'" (v.41). The word εὑρίσκω (heurisko) can imply an accidental discovery, but it can also be related to a discovery that is the result of purposeful search. John's careful utilization of these terms may suggest the latter. In either case, the motif of seeing and perceiving continues and now finds its full expression. Beginning with John the Baptist looking at Jesus and inviting his own disciples to behold the Lamb of God, Andrew's journey takes him from beholding to seeing what he had been seeking, to perceiving Jesus to be the Messiah, culminating in an evangelistic encounter with his brother Simon that, in effect, begins the cycle again.

Here is a screenshot from Logos tracing this motif: