John 1:38
What seek ye?
To Andrew and another who were following John after John told them to follow Jesus.
John 1:38 What seek ye?
John 1:38 What do you want?
Something you search for?
Greek
Greek Word Order
We must know what we are looking for to find it.
Lost in Translation
These words are simple, yet many modern translations translated the word that means "search" into "want". Jesus uses this word consistently to refer to searching.
Vocabulary (Greek word by word)
Τί (pron sg neut acc) "What" is tis which can mean "someone", "something", "any one", "everyone", "they" [indefinite], "many a one", "whoever", "anyone", "anything", "some sort", "some sort of", "each", "any", "the individual", "such" and so on. In a question, it can mean "who", "why" or "what".
ζητεῖτε; (verb 2nd pl pres ind act ) "Seek ye" is zeteo, which means "inquire for", "search for", "seek after", "desire" and "feel the want of".
KJV — word by word
What-- The word translated as "what" means primarily "anything" or "anyone", but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who", "what" or even "why".
seek -- The Greek verb translated as "seek" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring". It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim.
ye? - -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
NIV — word by word
What-- The word translated as "what" means primarily "anything" or "anyone", but Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who", "what" or even "why".
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
you - -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
want -- (CW) The Greek verb translated as "want" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring". It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It is not the word commonly translated as "want".