Andrew: Manliness, a Greek name; one of the apostles of our Lord. He was of
Bethsaida in Galilee
(John 1:44) and was the brother of Simon Peter
(Matthew 4:18; 10:2) On one occasion John the Baptist, whose disciple he then
was, pointing to Jesus, said, "Behold the Lamb of God"
(John 1:40) and
Andrew, hearing him, immediately became a follower of Jesus, the
first of his disciples. After he had been led to recognize Jesus as
the Messiah, his first care was to bring also his brother Simon to
Jesus. The two brothers seem to have after this pursued for a while
their usual calling as fishermen, and did not become the stated
attendants of the Lord till after John's imprisonment
(Matthew 4:18,19)
(Mark 1:16,17) Very little is related of Andrew. He was one of the
confidential disciples
(John 6:8; 12:22) and with Peter, James, and John
inquired of our Lord privately regarding his future coming
(Mark 13:3)
He was present at the feeding of the five thousand
(John 6:8-9) and he
introduced the Greeks who desired to see Jesus
(John 12:22) but of his
subsequent history little is known. It is noteworthy that Andrew
thrice brings others to Christ,
1. Peter;
2. the lad with the loaves; and
3. certain Greeks.
These incidents may be regarded as a key to his character.
