Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 1:37

"And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." — John 1:37 (ASV)

As John’s disciples followed him, Jesus turned to challenge their motives by asking, “What do you want?” He probed them to find out whether they were motivated by idle curiosity or by a real desire to know him. Their reply was not merely an inquiry for his address but a courteous request for an interview. “Rabbi” was a term of respect accorded Jewish teachers (cf. 1:49; 3:26). Jesus encouraged the two disciples to become acquainted with him and to spend time with him. “The tenth hour” probably means about four o’clock in the afternoon, since Jewish time was ordinarily reckoned from sunrise. They likely remained with Jesus overnight.