Charles Ellicott Commentary John 1:43

"On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me." — John 1:43 (ASV)

The day following, that is, the fourth day from the inquiry by the Sanhedrin (John 1:35; John 1:43).

Finds Philip.—Just as he was going out from his lodging of the previous night (John 1:39). Philip is mentioned in the other Gospels only in the lists of the Twelve. The touches of character are all found in St. John. (John 12:21; John 14:8.)

Follow me.—This command, so full of meaning, is never used in the Gospels except as spoken by our Lord Himself, and is addressed to only one outside the circle of the Apostles, the rich young man whom Jesus loved (Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21). In other parts of the New Testament it is used only once, in the words of the angel to Peter (Acts 12:8). We cannot, therefore, limit the words to an invitation to accompany Him on that day’s walk, though this is included, and in that walk from Bethany to Bethsaida there came the revelation which made the command Follow Me a power binding for the whole of life. (Compare Matthew 8:22.)