John Chapter 1, Verse 38
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38: στραφεις δε ο ιησους και θεασαμενος αυτους ακολουθουντας λεγει αυτοις τι ζητειτε οι δε ειπον αυτω ραββι ο λεγεται ερμηνευομενον διδασκαλε που μενεις
38: Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto
them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to
say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
38: And Jesus turning and seeing them following him, saith to them:
What seek you? Who said to him: Rabbi (which is to say, being
interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?
What seek ye? This was not asked to obtain information. Comp. Jn 1:48.
It was not a harsh reproof, forbidding them to follow him. Comp. Mt 11:28ff. 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.
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. Jesus solemnly forbade his disciples to wear that title. See Mt 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 travelling.
- "tenth hour" or, that was two hours before night.
