What Does John 1:38 Mean in the King James?
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Their search for Jesus turns at once from what they seek to the place where he remains.
THE MEANING
Your following is met with a question that makes its desire explicit: what are you seeking? You name him Rabbi, teacher, and ask where he remains, so the encounter reaches beyond a title or answer toward his abiding presence. The search itself speaks before the verse tells you where it leads.
THE ROOT
ζητεῖτε
zēteite
GROWS FROM
ζητ-
To seek, look for, or inquire after.
“seek” in this verse is zēteite. The form ζητεῖτε (zēteite) presents their seeking as active and ongoing. Jesus’ question turns their following toward its aim; their reply asks where he remains, so the search leans toward presence, not just information.
ALSO GROWS
zētēsis: Inquiry, investigation, or a search.
ζήτησις
This noun makes the seeking itself an inquiry, echoing the question Jesus asks them.
epizēteō: To seek after or earnestly desire.
ἐπιζητέω
This compound keeps the same ζητ (zēt) root and shows seeking as desire directed toward its object.
μένεις
meneis
GROWS FROM
μεν-
To remain, stay, or continue; by extension, to dwell or abide.
“dwellest” in this verse is meneis. The Greek verb μένεις (meneis) can carry the sense of remaining, so the question reaches beyond an address to where Jesus stays. Its word family gives that remaining a place in μονή (monē), an abode: the question points toward a presence that can be shared.
ALSO GROWS
monē: An abode or dwelling place.
μονή
This related form names the place of remaining, opening the question of where Jesus dwells toward the idea of an abiding presence.
emmenō: To remain in, persist, or continue.
ἐμμένω
This compound retains the μεν (men) consonants and carries the root’s sense of staying into a continuing commitment.
THE PATTERN
A search for someone becomes a desire to remain where that person abides.
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.THE THREAD
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.The Greek word rendered “dwellest” here is μένεις (meneis), from μένω (menō), the same root behind “Abide” in this verse. The question about where Jesus remains opens into the mutual abiding he describes: he in the reader, and the reader in him.
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