Follow Me

John 1:43

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

I. Leaving Judea to Galilee (43a)

‘The next day’ was used in John 1:29, John 1:35, and v43. The four consecutive days began with John 1:19 [3], the place of which was Bethany in Judea on the other side of the Jordan.
According to Matthew 4:12, Jesus withdrew from Judea to Galilee when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison. Leaving Nazareth in Lower Galilee, Jesus went and lived in Capernaum in Upper Galilee which was by the Lake of Gennesaret AKA the Sea of Galilee in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali (Matthew 4:13). This fulfilled Isaiah 9:1-2.

A subsequent event in Galilee (43a) is written in Luke 5 and Matthew 4:18-20 [1].

II. Follow me (43b)

Jesus found Philip and called him by saying ‘Follow me.’ (43b). Matthew was also called by ‘follow me’ in Matthew 9:9 and Luke 5:27. ‘Follow me’ is a call neither merely to join the journeying company [Alford] nor to the Apostolic office [2]. It is the calling to discipleship.

Let us read the verses [2] related to discipleship.

Deny oneself and take up one’s cross
Matthew 16:24 (NIVUK): Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. A relevant message: https://comnc.org/discipleship-taking-up-ones-cross/

Walk in the light
John 8:12 (NIVUK): When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ #What is the light?: TikTok Video

Serve Jesus
John 12:26 (NIVUK): Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

Partake in His cross and His crown
John 21:19 (NIVUK): Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’

Not Proverbs 5:20 but Proverbs 5:15-19
Revelation 14:4 (NIVUK): These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.

References
[1] Brown, David et al. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.
[2] Lange, John Peter; Schaff, Philip. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John.
[3] Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel.