Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Turned (strafeiv). Second aorist passive participle of strefw, vividly picturing the sudden act of Jesus on hearing their steps behind him.
Beheld (qeasamenov). First aorist middle participle of qeaomai (verse John 1:32). Both participles here express antecedent action to legei (saith).
Following (akoloqountav). Present active participle of akolouqew (verse John 1:37). It was Christ's first experience of this kind and the two came from the Baptist to Jesus.
What seek ye? (Ti zhteite). Not "whom" (tina John 18:4; John 20:15), but "what purpose have you." The first words of Jesus preserved in this Gospel. See Luke 2:49; Matthew 3:15 for words spoken before this and Mark 1:15 for Mark's first report in the Galilean ministry.
Rabbi (Rabbei). Aramaic title for "Teacher" which John here translates by Didaskale as he is writing late and for general readers. Luke, a Greek Christian, does not use it, but John recalls his first use of this term to Jesus and explains it. Matthew has it only in the greeting of Judas to the Master (Matthew 26:25, Matthew 26:49) and Mark once by Judas (Mark 14:45) and twice by Peter (Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21). John's Gospel has the disciples at first addressing Jesus by Rabbi while others address him by Kurie (Lord or Sir) as in John 4:11, John 4:49; John 5:7. Peter uses Kurie in John 6:68. In the end the disciples usually say Kurie (John 13:6, John 13:25, etc.), but Mary Magdalene says Rabbounei (John 20:16).
Being interpreted (meqermhmeuomenon). Present passive participle of meqermhneuw, late compound of meta and ermhneuw, to explain (John 1:42), old word from ermev, the god of speech (hermeneutics). John often explains Aramaic words (John 1:38, John 1:41-42; John 4:25; John 9:7, etc.).
Where abidest thou? (Pou meneis). They wished a place for quiet converse with Jesus.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 1:38:
Matthew 4:19
John 1:14
John 1:38
John 1:39
John 1:41
John 3:2
John 3:26
John 4:49
John 6:25
John 13:13
John 15:15
Acts 14:12
James 3:1
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