John 1:44 (KJV)

What does John 1:44 mean?

John 1:44 tells us that Philip, one of Jesus’ first followers, was from the town of Bethsaida, which was also the hometown of Andrew and Peter. This verse points out a shared background among these early disciples.

John the writer is giving readers a detail about where Philip came from, linking him to Andrew and Peter by their common city. This helps set the scene for how these men might have known each other before following Jesus, and it shows that Jesus’ first disciples had connections even before they met him. The verse is part of a larger section where Jesus is beginning to gather his first followers.

Where else these words appear

“Bethsaida” Greek G966 · used in 7 verses

Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

“Andrew” Greek G406 · used in 12 verses

Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mark 1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
John 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

“Philip” Greek G5376 · used in 37 verses

Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.