The phrase “come and see” is repeated several times throughout the Gospel of John. This simple phrase carries profound meaning and reveals important aspects of Jesus’ ministry and identity. Examining the contexts where “come and see” appears sheds light on its significance.
Calling the First Disciples
The first occurrence of “come and see” is in John 1:39, where Jesus says it to two of John the Baptist’s disciples who began following him. One of these was Andrew, who after spending time with Jesus went and got his brother Simon Peter and declared, “We have found the Messiah” (1:41). By saying “come and see,” Jesus was inviting them into personal experience through spending time with him. This began their discipleship as they responded to Jesus’ call.
Philip’s Declaration to Nathanael
The next occurrence is in John 1:46, where Philip tells Nathanael “Come and see” regarding Jesus the Messiah. Nathanael was skeptical at first, but after meeting Jesus he declared “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (1:49). Philip’s “come and see” led to Nathanael’s revelation when he experienced Jesus firsthand.
Samaritan Woman’s Testimony
“Come and see” appears again in John 4:29 after Jesus revealed his knowledge of the Samaritan woman’s life. She testified to her neighbors, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (4:29). Her invitation led many Samaritans to believe in Jesus (4:39-42). The woman’s personal encounter with Jesus moved her to extend “come and see” to others.
Healing the Official’s Son
In John 4:48, Jesus told an official seeking healing for his son, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” After Jesus healed his son from a distance, the official and his whole household believed. Like the Samaritans, this miracle led the official to faith. Jesus desired people to look past the surface and see who he truly was.
Raising of Lazarus
“Come and see” is situated in a crucial spot in John 11:34. After Lazarus had died, Jesus commanded for the stone to be removed from his tomb’s entrance. Martha objected that Lazarus had been dead four days, to which Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (11:40). Despite her lack of understanding, Jesus produced an astounding miracle that displayed God’s glory.
Triumphal Entry
John 12:21 says Greeks sought to see Jesus when he entered Jerusalem. They said to Philip, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip told Andrew and they informed Jesus, who knew the time had come for him to be glorified. The Greeks seeking to see Jesus inaugurated the final phase of his earthly ministry.
Invitation to Greater Understanding
Based on these contexts, “come and see” is an invitation by Jesus for people to move from skepticism, uncertainty, or lack of faith to greater understanding and belief through personal encounter with him. Physically going to where Jesus was helped people experience his miracles firsthand.
This phrase reveals an important aspect of Jesus’ ministry – he did not require blind faith but rather invited inquiry and investigation to confirm he was the Messiah. Hisfollowers called others to experience and see for themselves who Jesus was. “Come and see” led to revelation and understanding.
Additionally, each occurrence forms part of a progression in John’s narrative. The first disciples met Jesus in John 1 and testified to him as Messiah. Their declarations prompted even greater crowds to seek after and see Jesus. The Samaritan woman in John 4 brought many other Samaritans to Jesus. In John 11, Jesus performed an incredible sign to increase faith in God’s glory seen through him. Finally, inquisitive Greeks in John 12 signaled the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
“Come and see” reflects a movement toward greater understanding of Jesus’ true identity that builds throughout John’s Gospel. The repetion reinforces Jesus as one to be experienced, not just believed in blindly. It also shows that those who saw Jesus went on to invite others to “come and see,” creating a rippling effect.
Revelation Through Encounter with Jesus
“Come and see” reveals a key component of John’s purpose statement in 20:31: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” John emphasized people coming to faith in Jesus through personal encounters that revealed his identity. This distinguished him from mythic deities of the ancient world.
The climax is Thomas in John 20 encountering the risen Christ. Jesus told him, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (20:27). Like others before, Jesus met Thomas’ skepticism with invitation to personal experience. When Thomas saw Jesus’ wounds for himself, he declared “My Lord and my God!” (20:28).
John selected signs that pointed to Jesus’ true identity so readers “may believe through his name” (20:31). “Come and see” threads through John’s purpose by highlighting Jesus’ desire for people to move from doubt to belief through personal revelation when they encountered him themselves.
Two-Way Aspect
“Come and see” also contains a two-way aspect. First, Jesus invited people to come to him. But as people experienced who Jesus was, they went and invited others to “come and see” too. This characterized the first disciples and the Samaritan woman. Once they had personal revelation of Jesus, they shared what they knew so others could believe as well.
This two-way aspect relates to Jesus calling disciples to not just believe in him but also to “follow me” in discipleship. They moved from belief to participation in his mission. “Come and see” expressed both responding to Jesus’ invitation but also inviting others to encounter Jesus.
Active Verbs
The action verbs come and see mean more than just physical sight. “Seeing” in John’s Gospel often refers to perception and spiritual sight regarding Jesus’ identity and relationship with the Father. It indicates revelatory sight that leads to understanding, faith, and confession.
“Come” implies responding to Jesus’ invitation through action. Faith requires initiative to “come to Jesus” in order to “see” and understand him properly. This fits salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus took initiative to make salvation possible through his incarnation, but individuals must respond to his invitation.
Integration with Key Themes
“Come and see” integrates well with other key themes in John’s Gospel. John emphasized light and darkness. Through encountering Jesus, people moved from darkness into greater light regarding his identity. This light dispelled doubt and uncertainty. John also developed misunderstanding and revelation. “Come and see” allowed people to move from misunderstanding to revelation.
Additionally, John highlighted witness and testimony. People witnessed truth about Jesus through personal encounter, which moved them to testify so others would “come and see.” Finally, John emphasized Jesus as Word made flesh. Like divine words that must be received and comprehended, Jesus must be “heard” and “seen” for life transformation. “Come and see” fits this connection between Word, revelation, and response.
Typology and Symbolism
Some scholars tie “come and see” to Old Testament passages that use those exact words. In Song of Songs 1:8 and Psalm 66:5, “come and see” refers to observing God’s mighty works. By calling disciples to “come and see,” Jesus presented himself as fulfillment of God’s mighty works, now embodied in him.
This relates to John’s high Christology. The same God who called Israel “to see” His acts now called people to “see” His glory revealed in Christ. “Come and see” has Old Testament roots that contribute to John’s depiction of Jesus as the divine Word.”
In John 20, John mentioned seeing and believing in relation to Jesus’ empty tomb – likely alluding to the empty tomb of the resurrection. “Come and see” reinforces that the empty tomb was not the end but rather led to resurrection sightings for revelation. It symbolizes new sight of who Jesus is – not dead but risen.
Invitation to All
John’s Gospel has some tension between Jesus interacting with Jews versus wider crowds. But “come and see” shows that Jesus’ invitation to encounter him was open to all – Jew and Gentile, skeptic and seeker. This fits with John 3:16’s offer of life to the entire world.
The disciples came from Jewish backgrounds but led Gentiles like Greeks to come and see Jesus. The phrase transcends earthly barriers that often divide people, uniting them in common invitation to experience Jesus.
Invitation to Relationship
At a deeper level, “come and see” beckons readers into personal relationship with Jesus. Systematic theology speaks of Christ’s “call” starting the process of salvation. Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” echoes this personal call to salvation.
This relationship extends beyond initial belief. Through the Word believers continue “seeing” Jesus more clearly and gaining deeper understanding of his identity and purpose. Just as the first disciples lived with Jesus for years in intimate fellowship, believers today are called into lifelong relationship with him.
“Come and see” is Jesus’ call to communion with himself. Theologian Karl Barth described it as an “invitation which brings those who accept it into fellowship with him.” Through heeding Jesus’ invitation, believers enter into friendship with him.
Conclusion
For John’s original audience, “come and see” graphically demonstrated Jesus inviting people to form firsthand knowledge of his identity that dispelled doubt and deepened understanding. This led to confession, belief, and participation in Jesus’ mission. Across culture and time, these words continue beckoning readers into transformative revelation through personal relationship with Christ.