The preparation takes place in two stages. As in the other Gospels, Jesus’ ministry begins in the context of the Baptist’s ministry (Mt 3:1-17 par. Mk 1:2-13 par. Lk 3:1-22). In John, the Baptist acknowledges that the Spirit’s descent upon Jesus at his baptism is what enables him to recognize Jesus (1:32-33), but the event itself is not recounted. The emphasis is on the Baptist’s testimony arising from this event (1:34). It is when the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God in the hearing of some of his disciples that they become his first followers (1:35-37). The Baptist had an extensive ministry quite apart from his testimony to Jesus (Mt 3; Lk 3; Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 18.116-19), but in John all of this is eclipsed. For John, the Baptist is a witness to Jesus and a model of true discipleship.
The second stage is the gathering of disciples around Jesus, beginning with two of the Baptist’s own disciples. This section offers many insights into the nature of discipleship. It is also striking for the number of titles given to Jesus right from the outset, including Son of God (1:34, 49). These titles are part of the preparation for the glory, though the characters in the story do not yet understand their true significance. The section closes with Jesus’ promise that they will “see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (1:51), which prepares us for the revelation of God’s glory that follows. John the Baptist Witnesses About Himself and Jesus (1:19-34)
This section thus introduces us to four important truths about Jesus, one of which has already been introduced (preexistence; cf. Jn 1:1-18), another that is not developed further (Lamb of God), a third that is developed later (Spirit) and a fourth that is central in John (Son of God). We also see the Baptist as a significant model of humility, openness and obedience. Jesus Appears and His First Disciples Are Gathered (1:35-51) The prologue prepared us for the coming of the very Son of God himself. We caught a glimpse of him as he approached the Baptist (v. 29), but then, instead of being shown the Son, we heard the Baptist’s testimony. Now such preparatory testimony is over, and the time has come for the Son himself to take center stage. Our present passage gives us both a distinctive picture of Jesus and a description of the first disciples’ initial experiences of Jesus, providing further reflections on the nature of discipleship. This material is divided in two parts. In the first (vv. 35-42) the disciples take the initiative to follow Jesus, and in the second (vv. 43-51) Jesus takes the initiative. The events conclude with a climactic promise by Jesus (v. 51).
Heaven has been opened, but there is no need for us to ascend because the Son of Man has come down to us. The one Isaiah saw (Is 6:1-5; Jn 12:38-41) has come into our midst! Jesus, not heaven, is the focal point of revelation. The desire of the mystics has been fulfilled. Therefore from now on it is those who do t see and yet believe who are blessed (Jn 20:29), for if we are to see God, we must look back to Jesus under the continuing guidance of the Spirit (16:13-15). It is not that heavenly visions are impossible (cf. John 1:18) but that an intimacy with God is possible quite apart from such visions (cf. chaps. 13–17).