This entire period, described only by John, is not mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels. Jesus the Messiah’s baptism appears to have taken place privately. Indeed, the fact that John the Baptist alone recounts these events suggests there were no outside witnesses.
Andrew and another disciple, probably John, learn of this event the following day through John the Baptist’s words. They then realise that they are in the Messiah’s presence and choose to follow him. According to the apostle John, it was 4 p.m. local time. We must consider the possibility that John uses Roman timekeeping (see the appendix ANN028 : The Jewish day in Jesus’ time), in which case it would be 10 a.m. We believe John used this latter method, meaning that the tenth hour would correspond to ten in the morning (John 19.14).
Afterwards, Andrew and this same disciple, presumably John, meet Simon Peter. We assume this happens on the same day, after 10 a.m. (or 4 p.m.). Together they return to Jesus the Messiah, who gives Peter a new name.
Jesus the Messiah’s intervention in changing Peter’s name may seem surprising, so deeply does it touch his personal identity. This symbolic act marks a significant change. Aware that they stand before the Messiah announced by the prophets, the three disciples grant him every right, including the right to transform their own identity.
From then on, Andrew, the other disciple, probably John, and Peter commit themselves to following Jesus the Messiah, thus leaving their friend and teacher, John the Baptist.