John 1:40-41 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.… The term comes from the associations of olden times, when tyrants ruled and made sport of human life. In those days when the world was not gladdened by the "glad tidings of great joy," and upon the occasion of the gladiatorial combats, when one of the antagonists had smitten his opponent to the dust, he then had the right of life or death over that man. But the conquered man had one source of appeal, and by the lifting up of his finger he could appeal to the prince, and that prince had the power, if he chose, to send a courtier from his side down to the dust of the arena to separate the combatants and deliver from death the man who was appointed to death. The sending of that message was called in the Latin a mission, and the person sent a missionary. So down in the dust of the arena of this world are Satan and man. It is a deadly conflict. Man is smitten and undermost. He appeals to the King of all; yea, before he appeal the King of all anticipates. His only Son comes on a mission, and rescues man's prostrate soul from Satan's power. (R. Maguire, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.WEB: One of the two who heard John, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. |
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