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Scott's Reference Library
John 1:43 through John 1:51 (NIV)
43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said
to him, “Follow me.”
44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found
Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and
about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true
Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”
48“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip
called you.”
49Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of
Israel.”
50Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You
shall see greater things than that.” 51He then added, “I tell you the truth,
you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on
the Son of Man.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 43-51
See the nature of true Christianity, it is following Jesus; devoting ourselves
to him, and treading in his steps. Observe the objection Nathanael made. All who
desire to profit by the word of God, must beware of prejudices against places,
or denominations of men. They should examine for themselves, and they will
sometimes find good where they looked for none. Many people are kept from the
ways of religion by the unreasonable prejudices they conceive. The best way to
remove false notions of religion, is to make trial of it. In Nathanael there was
no guile. His profession was not hypocritical. He was not a dissembler, nor
dishonest; he was a sound character, a really upright, godly man. Christ knows
what men are indeed. Does He know us? Let us desire to know him. Let us seek and
pray to be Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile; truly Christians, approved of
Christ himself. Some things weak, imperfect, and sinful, are found in all, but
hypocrisy belongs not to a believer’s character. Jesus witnessed what passed
when Nathanael was under the fig-tree. Probably he was then in fervent prayer,
seeking direction as to the Hope and Consolation of Israel, where no human eye
observed him. This showed him that our Lord knew the secrets of his heart.
Through Christ we commune with, and benefit by the holy angels; and things in
heaven and things on earth are reconciled and united together.