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John 1:42

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 1:42 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).
John 1:42 — American Standard Version

Context — John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
39He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour.
40One of the two that heard John [speak], and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter`s brother.
41He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
42He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).
43On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me.
44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
← John 1:41John 1:43 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he brought him to Jesus, etc.] That is, Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus; he persuaded him to go along with him, and showed him where he was; which discovered great zeal for Christ, being desirous of, gaining souls unto him; and great affection to his brother, being heartily concerned that he might know Christ, as well as he; nor did he choose that he should take up with the bare account that he gave of him, but would have him go to him himself, that he might be personally acquainted with him, and instructed by him: and this also shows the readiness and willingness of Simon, to see and hear Christ himself, and not sit down contented with the bare relation his brother gave: no…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“brought him to Jesus--Happy brothers that thus do to each other! beheld him--fixed his eyes on him, with significant gaze (as Joh 1:36). Cephas . . . stone--(See on Mat 16:18).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Cephas - This is a Syriac word, meaning the same as the Greek word Peter, a stone. See the notes at Matthew 16:17. The stone, or rock, is a symbol of firmness and steadiness of character - a trait in Peter’s character after the ascension of Jesus that was very remarkable. before the death of Jesus he was rash, headlong, variable; and it is one proof of the omniscience of Jesus that he saw that Peter “would” possess a character that would be expressed appropriately by the word “stone” or “rock.” The word “Jonas” is a Hebrew word, whose original signification is a “dove.” It may be that Jesus had respect to that when he gave Simon the name Peter. “You now bear a name emblematic of timidity and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Jesus said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jonah - As none had told our Lord these names, this could not but strike Peter. Cephas, which is Peter - Moaning the same in Syriacts which Peter does in Greek, namely, a rock. John 1:45”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou art: Joh 1:47, Joh 1:48, Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25, Joh 6:70, Joh 6:71, Joh 13:18 the son: Joh 21:15-17, Jonas, Mat 16:17, Barjona called: Co1 1:12, Co1 3:22, Co1 9:5, Co1 15:5; Gal 2:9 A stone: or, Peter, Joh 21:2; Mat 10:2, Mat 16:18; Mar 3:16; Luk 5:8, Luk 6:14 John 1:43”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification