A testimony by the river, a question on the path, an evening with Jesus, and friends who bring friends. Walk the map, look closer, and add your own link to the chain.
John the Baptist had been preparing people for the Messiah. One day, as Jesus walked by, John pointed to Him and told two of his own disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two followed Jesus. He turned, asked what they were looking for, and invited them, “Come and see.” They stayed with Him the rest of the day.
One of them, Andrew, went to find his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. The next day Jesus called Philip, and Philip went to find his friend Nathanael. Each person who met Jesus brought someone else.
Who’s who
John the Baptist: the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus
Andrew: one of John’s disciples, among the first to follow Jesus
Simon Peter: Andrew’s brother, whom Jesus named Cephas
Philip and Nathanael: friends who came next
Where and when
Near the Jordan River, where John was baptizing (John 1:28), then on toward Galilee.
Watch for the Savior
Jesus’s first words in John’s Gospel are a question, “What seek ye?”, and His first invitation is “Come and see.”
Eight stops over two days, from the Jordan to a road in Galilee. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.
Part 2 of 7
The story, plainly
Four scenes: the river, the path, the shore and the road. Look for the Savior in each one.
Read it plainly
The words that trip people up
Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1
John 1:38 “Meaning: teacher, a title of respect., (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where Meaning: stay, live. (See Part 5.) thou?”
John 1:39 “they came and saw where he dwelt, and Meaning: stayed. The same Greek word as “dwellest.” with him that day: for it was about the Meaning: late afternoon, counting hours from sunrise.”
John 1:41 “We have found the Meaning: the Messiah, the Anointed One., which is, being interpreted, the Christ”
John 1:42 “thou shalt be called Meaning: Aramaic for “a stone”; Peter in Greek.”
John 1:47 “an Israelite Meaning: truly, really., in whom is no Meaning: deceit, trickery. (See Part 5.)”
John 1:48 “Meaning: from where; how. knowest thou me?”
Part 3 of 7
Look closer
This is a true account, not a parable. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from prophets and Church resources, and each card says which.
0 of 9 turned
All nine. A testimony, footsteps, an open door, a brother, a new name, a fig tree, a ladder to heaven, a hand that brings and a call to follow. John 1:35–51
Part 4 of 7
Where are you on the path?
Some watched, some followed, some brought others, and one doubted. Which feels most like you right now?
A next step for you
Your choice is saved only on this device.
Try it
Who brought whom?
In John 1, each disciple meets Jesus because someone points the way. Tap to add the next link in the chain, then add your own.
“Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” John 1:46
Part 5 of 7
Their world, their words
A little background helps us see a small village, a teacher’s disciples and an hour John never forgot. Outside sources are labeled.
Church manual
A small village
“Nazareth was a small village of approximately 200 to 400 residents.” “It is not mentioned in the Old Testament.”10
No one expected the Messiah from there, which is why Nathanael asked.
Apostle · Talmage
Teachers and disciples
“It was customary with rabbis and other teachers of that time to strive for popularity that many might be drawn to them.” But “Jesus, however, selected His own immediate associates.”6
He still calls people by name.
Church manual
Moses and the prophets
“The Law was the first five books of Moses.” Philip and the others “had searched the scriptures for signs of Him.”10
Scripture had prepared them to recognize Him.
Apostle · Talmage
The unnamed disciple
Andrew is named, but “the narrator suppresses his own name as that of the second disciple.”6 John still remembered the hour: “it was about the tenth hour.”1
Elder Wirthlin: “To be without guile is to be free of deceit, cunning, hypocrisy, and dishonesty in thought or action.”7
What the text does not say
John never names the second disciple; Elder Talmage identifies him as John himself.6 We don’t know what was said in the house that evening, only that “they came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day.” Scripture doesn’t say what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree.1 Elder Wirthlin suggested he “apparently had undergone some surpassing spiritual experience while praying, or meditating, or worshipping under a fig tree.”7
Part 6 of 7
Look to Him
Every person in this chapter is looking for Him, and He is already looking for them.
Jesus’s first words in John’s Gospel are a question, “What seek ye?”, and His answer to their question is an invitation: “Come and see.”
“Philip asked him to come and see. This is the perfect answer to all who seek to know the truth about Christ. Impartial investigators are converted when they come and see.”
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Without Guile,” April 19887
“Would you know where Christ is to be found? Come and see.”
“Our simple desire is to share with you the truths that are of greatest worth to us.”
Elder David A. Bednar, “Come and See,” October 20148
“We invite all of God’s children throughout the world to join us in this great endeavor. Come and see!”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Come and Belong,” April 20209
Another Testament
He inviteth them all
“He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him.” 2 Nephi 26:33
Another Testament
Come and see, one by one
The risen Lord said, “Arise and come forth unto me.” The people came, “going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes.” 3 Nephi 11:14–15
Jesus asked two seekers what they were looking for, then invited them to stay with Him.1 If He asked you today, what would you say?
Try it today
Each thing you do is a link in the chain. It saves on this device, one day at a time.
0 of 6 today
This week:0 of 7 days
Six links in the chain. Come again tomorrow.
A quiet moment
“Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?”
Read John 1:38 slowly, as if He were asking you. Tell Heavenly Father honestly what you are seeking, then listen. John 1:38
A verse to hold
Talk about it
Why do you think John the Baptist was happy to see his disciples follow Jesus?
Jesus asked, “What seek ye?” What do people today seek when they come to Him?
Andrew went to his brother first. Who is easiest for you to talk to about Jesus? Who is hardest?
Nathanael had doubts, and Philip said, “Come and see.” Why is an invitation sometimes better than an argument?
Open
For adults and deeper study
Go deeper
Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
Apostle
Elder Talmage, Jesus the Christ, chapter 11
Tells the story of the first disciples in detail: Andrew and John, the new name Cephas, Philip’s call and Nathanael’s testimony, and the title “Son of Man.”6
“Come and See”: The First Disciples, ready to print $3.99
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. This is a true account, not a parable; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
