In brief
Andrew is a fisherman of Galilee, the brother of Simon Peter, from Bethsaida. He is first a disciple of John the Baptist. When John points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, Andrew follows him, stays with him that day, then goes to find his brother Simon to bring him to Jesus. He is one of the Twelve. The Gospel shows him again before the crowd of five thousand and with Greeks who want to see Jesus. We remember him as the one who brings others to Jesus.
What does the name Andrew mean?
His name is of Greek origin and is generally linked to a word meaning manly or brave. The Bible gives no explanation of it. He is presented as the brother of Simon Peter (John 1:40).
The story of Andrew
A Disciple of John the Baptist
John 1:35-40Andrew is one of two disciples of John who hear him point out Jesus. They follow Jesus, who asks them what they are looking for. They answer by asking where he is staying. Jesus says: “Come, and see.” They stay with him that day, about the tenth hour.
He Brings His Brother Simon
John 1:41-42Andrew first finds his own brother Simon and says to him: “We have found the Messiah!” He brings him to Jesus. Jesus looks at Simon and announces that he will be called Cephas, which means Peter. Andrew’s first act after meeting Jesus is to share that encounter with his brother.
Called by the Lake
Matthew 4:18-20Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee and sees two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew, casting a net, for they are fishermen. He tells them to come after him and he will make them fishers of men. Immediately they leave the nets and follow him. Andrew moves from the encounter to daily service.
The Boy with Five Loaves
John 6:5-13Before a large crowd, Jesus asks Philip where to buy bread. Andrew says there is a boy there who has five barley loaves and two fish, then adds: “but what are these among so many?” Jesus takes the loaves, gives thanks, and about five thousand men eat until they are full.
The Greeks Who Want to See Jesus
John 12:20-22During the feast, some Greeks who came up to worship approach Philip and ask to see Jesus. Philip goes and tells Andrew, and the two of them tell Jesus. Here again, Andrew is the one who serves as a bridge between someone who is searching and the Lord.
What Andrew teaches us
- When you have met Jesus, the natural first response is to tell those close to you, as Andrew did with his brother.
- God can change the course of a life through a simple invitation: “Come, and see.”
- Andrew stays discreet behind Peter, but the Bible shows that his role as a link carries great weight.
- Even a small gift, five barley loaves, becomes great in Jesus’ hands.
- Bringing someone to Jesus remains Andrew’s mission, and he continues to inspire us.
Key verses
“Come, and see.” This is how Jesus answers Andrew and the other disciple of John. They stay with him that day, and this invitation becomes the starting point of their life as disciples.
Andrew tells his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah!”, then brings him to Jesus. This first act sums up his calling: he brings people to Jesus and lets Jesus do the rest.
Andrew notices a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish. He doubts that it is enough, but he points it out to Jesus anyway, who uses it to feed the crowd.
Sermons about Andrew
Frequently asked questions
Why is Andrew called the first apostle?
John’s Gospel shows him as one of the first two disciples to follow Jesus, after hearing John the Baptist (John 1:35-40). He is also the first to bring someone to Jesus: his brother Simon. That is why he is sometimes said to be the first to answer the call.
What does the name Andrew mean?
His name is of Greek origin and is generally linked to a word meaning manly or brave. The Bible gives no explanation of it. This Greek name shows that Jewish families of Galilee, like that of Andrew and Simon, were in contact with the Greek world of their time.
Where can I find the story of Andrew in the Bible?
Andrew appears in several passages: John 1:35-42 for his meeting with Jesus, Matthew 4:18-20 for his call as a fisherman, John 6:8-9 for the five loaves and two fish, and John 12:20-22 for the Greeks who want to see Jesus.