Church Fathers Commentary John 1:35-36

"Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!" — John 1:35-36 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: Since many had not paid attention to John’s words at first, he rouses them a second time. The Gospel says, Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples.

The Venerable Bede: John stood because he had ascended that citadel of all excellences, from which no temptations could cast him down. His disciples stood with him, as steadfast followers of their master.

St. John Chrysostom: But why did he not go all about, preaching in every place of Judea, instead of standing near the river waiting for Christ’s coming so that he could point Him out? Because he wanted this to be done by the works of Christ Himself. And notice what a much greater effect was produced: he struck a small spark, and suddenly it rose into a flame.

Again, if John had gone about and preached, it would have seemed like human favoritism, and great suspicion would have been aroused. The Prophets and Apostles all preached Christ while He was absent—the former before His appearance in the flesh, the latter after His ascension.

But Christ was to be pointed out by sight, not only by voice. Therefore, it is written: And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God!

Theophylact of Ohrid: He said this while looking, as if signifying by his gaze his love and admiration for Christ.

St. Augustine of Hippo: John was the friend of the Bridegroom; he did not seek his own glory, but bore witness to the truth. Therefore, he did not want his disciples to remain with him, which would hinder them from their duty to follow the Lord. Instead, he showed them whom they should follow, saying, Behold the Lamb of God.

St. John Chrysostom: He does not give a long discourse, having only one objective: to bring his disciples to Christ and unite them with Him, knowing that they would no longer need his testimony. However, John does not speak to his disciples alone, but publicly in the presence of everyone.

And so, by choosing to follow Christ because of this instruction given to all, they remained firm from that time on, following Christ for their own benefit, not as an act of favor to their master.

John does not exhort; he simply gazes in admiration at Christ, pointing out the gift He came to bestow—the cleansing from sin—and the way this would be accomplished. The word “Lamb” testifies to both of these things, and it has the definite article (“the”) attached to it as a sign of its preeminence.

St. Augustine of Hippo: For He alone is the Lamb without spot, without sin—not because His spots are wiped away, but because He never had a spot. He alone is the Lamb of God, for by His blood alone can people be redeemed. This is the Lamb whom the wolves fear; even the slain Lamb, by whom the lion was slain.

The Venerable Bede: Therefore, he calls Him the Lamb because He was about to give us His fleece freely, so that we could make a wedding garment from it; that is, He would leave us an example of life, by which we would be warmed into love.

Alcuin of York: In a mystical sense, John stands still as the Law ceases, and Jesus comes, bringing the grace of the Gospel, to which the Law itself bears testimony. Jesus walks in order to gather disciples.

The Venerable Bede: The walking of Jesus refers to the divine plan of the Incarnation, through which He condescended to come to us and give us a pattern for our lives.