Andrew (John 1:35–42; Matthew 4:18–20; Mark 1:16–18; Mark 1:29–31; Matthew 10:2–4; Mark 13:3–4; John 6:5–9; John 12:20–22; Luke 6:12–16; Acts 1:12–14)

Simon Peter's Brother, Who Brought Others to Jesus

A fisherman who followed Jesus after hearing John the Baptist speak, and who found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus; the Gospel of John also shows him with the loaves and with the Greeks.

Andrew is first named as one of the two disciples of John who heard him say, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) and followed Jesus (John 1:35-40). He is described as “Simon Peter’s brother” (John 1:40).

What the text records of Andrew is mostly of this kind. He “findeth first his own brother Simon” (John 1:41) and “brought him unto Jesus” (John 1:42). When the multitude needed bread it was Andrew who spoke of the lad with five barley loaves and two fishes (John 6:8-9), and when certain Greeks asked to see Jesus, “Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: Andrew cometh, and Philip, and they tell Jesus” (John 12:22).

He is named among the Twelve (Matthew 10:2-4; Luke 6:13-16) and among those gathered in the upper chamber after Jesus was taken up (Acts 1:9-13). The text records no speech of his in Acts.

Strengths

• Readiness to follow
• Bringing others to Jesus
• Noticing what is at hand

Themes

• Discipleship
• Bringing others
• Brotherhood
• Five loaves and two fishes

Following Jesus after John (John 1:35–40)

Andrew, one of two disciples who heard John speak, follows Jesus and abides with him that day.

Brought his brother (John 1:40–42)

Andrew finds his brother Simon, tells him they have found the Messiah, and brings him to Jesus.

Brought his brother

“One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). He brought him unto Jesus” (John 1:40-42).

Jesus then looked upon Simon and named him Cephas, that is, Peter (John 1:42).

Called by the sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18–20; Mark 1:16–18)

Jesus sees Simon and Andrew casting a net and says he will make them fishers of men; they leave the nets and follow.

The house of Simon and Andrew (Mark 1:29–31)

After the synagogue, Jesus comes into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John, and raises Simon's wife's mother from her fever.

Five barley loaves and two fishes (John 6:5–9)

Andrew points out a lad with five barley loaves and two fishes, and asks what are these among so many.

Five barley loaves and two fishes

Jesus asked Philip where bread could be bought for the multitude (John 6:5). Then “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?” (John 6:8-9).

Andrew states what is there and what it falls short of; what Jesus does with it is told in the verses that follow.

Greeks who wished to see Jesus (John 12:20–22)

Philip tells Andrew that certain Greeks ask to see Jesus, and the two of them tell Jesus.

Greeks who wished to see Jesus

“Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast: these therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: Andrew cometh, and Philip, and they tell Jesus” (John 12:20-22).

Asking about what is to come (Mark 13:3–4)

Peter, James, John and Andrew ask Jesus privately, on the mount of Olives, when the things he has said will be.

In the upper chamber (Acts 1:12–14)

Andrew is named among the apostles who abode in the upper chamber, continuing in prayer.

Jesus (John 1:37–40; Matthew 4:18–20; John 12:22)

Andrew followed him, was called by him, and brought others to him.

Simon Peter (John 1:40–42; Matthew 4:18–20; Mark 1:29)

His brother, whom he brought to Jesus and with whom he was called.

John the Baptist (John 1:35–40)

Andrew was one of two disciples who heard John speak and followed Jesus.

Philip (John 12:20–22)

Brought the Greeks' request to Andrew; the two told Jesus.

James and John, sons of Zebedee (Mark 1:29; Mark 13:3–4)

Present with Andrew at Simon's house, and with him and Peter on the mount of Olives.

Major sections

• John 1:35–42
• John 6:1–14
• John 12:20–26

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