John 1:43 Philip and Nathanael - For The Glory of Jesus

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Philip and Nathanael

This describes how Philip and Nathanael both came to know Jesus. Jesus called Philip and then Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus.

This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.

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John 1:43-51

43. “Jesus called Philip personally and Philip trusted Him and followed Him. We do not know what kind of heart preparation Philip experienced, for God usually prepares a person before He calls him.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 288)

44. “Bethsaida is up on the Sea of Galilee. We know that Peter and Andrew and Philip lived up there. They were fishermen.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 376)

45. “We do know that Philip proved his faith by seeking to share it with his friend Nathanael.” (Wiersbe, 289)

“We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” [NKJV].

46. “Nathanael started out a doubter: he did not believe that anything worthwhile could come out of Nazareth.” (Wiersbe, 289)

“When Nathanael hesitated and argued, Philip adopted our Lord’s own words: ‘Come and see’ (John 1:39). (Wiersbe, 289)

“‘Come’ is the great invitation of God’s grace.” (Wiersbe, 289)

Nathanael

47. No Deceit [NKJV] “Jesus’ point was that Nathanael’s bluntness revealed that he was an Israelite without duplicitous motive who was willing to examine for himself the claims being made about Jesus. The term reveals an honest, seeking heart.” (MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. [Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005], 1351)

“In making this statement, Jesus contrasted Nathanael with his forefather Jacob, the usurper (Genesis 25:26), who by duplicity or guile (dolos Genesis 27:35, LXX) deceived his father and cheated his brother out of the blessing, to say nothing of his dealings with his uncle Laban, who also was skilled in guile. At the same time the designation of being an authentic or worthy Israelite placed Nathanael within God’s great intention of transforming Jacob and his offspring. (Borchert, Gerald L., The New American Commentary Volume 25A, John 1-11. [Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002], 147)

48. “Upon learning about the Lord’s omniscience—having known his exact location even before Philip found him—Nathanael, like John the Baptist, declared Jesus the Son of God and added, “You are the King of Israel.” The phrase under the fig tree was used in rabbinical literature to describe meditation on the law. Nathanael had apparently been reading Genesis 28. Jesus contrasted Jacob’s guile with Nathanael’s integrity.” [Max Anders and Kenneth O. Gangel (2012). HNTC Vol. 04: John. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

49. “When Nathanael confessed that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and the King of Israel, it reveals that something very important did come out of Nazareth.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 376)

Greater Things

50. “The Lord more or less rebuked him and asked whether it was just because He saw him under the fig tree that he believed. Jesus promises him that he will see greater things. Nathanael did see much greater things than these. (McGee, 376)

51. This is a reference to Jacob’s Ladder in Genesis 28:12 where “A ladder was let down from heaven, and on that ladder the angels were ascending and descending.” (McGee, 377)

“Our Lord picks that up here and says that the ladder was Himself. You’ll see now the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (McGee, 377)

“Jesus indicated that Nathanael’s old covenant faith must now center in him, the focus of the new covenant. Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man, a term he used more than eighty times. This title emphasized his humanity and suffering as well as the perfection of his human nature.” [Max Anders and Kenneth O. Gangel (2012). HNTC Vol. 04: John. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

References

In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.

Borchert, Gerald L., The New American Commentary Volume 25A, John 1-11. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002
Max Anders and Kenneth O. Gangel (2012). HNTC Vol. 04: John. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004

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