John 1:43-51
The gospel of John was the last to be penned and reveals details concerning Christ that are not found in the first three gospels. The Holy Spirit moved John to show us the Son through His interaction with Philip and Nathanael. Verses 43 to 51 is a record of that which occurred on the day on which Philip and Nathanael met Jesus.
“The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee . . .” (v. 43). The day following refers to the day that occurred immediately after the 24-hour period in which Jesus met the first of His disciples (Andrew and the unnamed disciple (John), and, later in the day, Simon [Cephas or Peter]) [see v. 35-42].
The physical location of the place from which Jesus went forth into Galilee would have been near to Bethabara (see v. 28) and also near the whereabouts of Simon Peter (v. 41). John numbers the days beginning with the day he met Jesus. Jesus departed for Galilee on Day 2, the day after He invited Andrew and John to “Come and see” (v. 39).
John 2:1 is set in Cana of Galilee on “the third day.” On Day 1, the unnamed disciple (John) met Jesus. On Day 2 (the day described in the text before us), Jesus found Philip and Philip found Nathaniel. On Day 3, Jesus was in Cana of Galilee. The things recorded in the text before us took place during Jesus’ journey to Cana of Galilee.
Cana of Galilee is located in the highlands to the west of the sea of Galilee, a full day’s journey by the shortest of two possible paths to the river Jordan. The location of Bethabara (the site of Day 1) cannot be near the Dead Sea opposite Jericho, the site where scholars believe Jesus was baptized because a 4-day journey separates Jericho from Cana of Galilee. One of the shortest routes between the Jordan and Cana would be where from where the Jordan enters the sea of Galilee on the north (near Bethsaida). The journey of Day 2 may have begun from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew, Peter and Philip (v. 44).
During Day 2, Jesus found Philip. The scripture does not state where Jesus found Philip. It is possible that Jesus found him near the starting point of His journey to Cana of Galilee. A journey of one day was required to travel from Cana of Galilee to Capernaum which was in close proximity to Bethsaida (John 4:46-52).
Jesus said, “Follow me” and Philip did. One does not lay aside that which one is engaged without cause. The cause for which Philip followed Jesus is revealed in verse 45. When Philip found Nathanael, he said, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Philip’s words reveal that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah. His words also reveal that he believed the books of Moses and the books of the prophets to be the very word of God. Both Moses and the prophets proclaim the coming of one greater than Moses, the coming of one who would deliver Israel from those who would oppress her. Upon meeting Jesus, Philip was compelled to follow Him.
In stating his belief to Nathaniel, Philip made it known through the pronoun “we” that those with him also believed Jesus was the Messiah. Those with him were the unnamed disciple, Andrew and Simon Peter. All who were with Philip had reason to believe. The unnamed disciple and Andrew believed because of the testimony of John the Baptist (v. 40). Simon Peter believed because of the words spoken by his brother Andrew (v. 41). Philip believed because Andrew and Simon Peter believed. The entire party composed of “we” believed that Jesus was the one of whom Moses and the prophets had spoken. They all followed Jesus because they experienced His compelling presence.
Nathanael’s response to Philip was, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael was not ready to believe that Jesus was the Messiah because Jesus was from Nazareth. The gospel of John records a similar scepticism on the part of attendees at the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem (Jn. 7:37, 41). The prophets had foretold that the Messiah would be of the line of David and would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. Nathanael did not understand how that one of Nazareth could be the Messiah. Nathanael was looking for the Messiah to come, but not from Nazareth. His doubt, however, did not hinder his doing as Philip had urged him to do. Philip urged him to come and see (v. 46).
When Jesus saw Nathanael come, Jesus proclaimed Nathanael to be an Israelite in whom there was no guile. One who speaks with guile attempts to hide his inner self from others. Nathanael was not one to conceal his feelings or opinions from anyone. His response to what Jesus said was to ask Him how that He knew him.
Jesus answered that He saw him when he was under the fig tree when Philip called him. Nathanael was stunned by Jesus’ answer and said, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” Nathanael was compelled in the same manner as were Andrew, the unnamed disciple, Simon Peter, and Philip to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Nathanael was moved from doubt to certainty because Jesus revealed Himself to be one who possessed knowledge of a scene which He was not physically present to view. Nathanael was certain because Jesus demonstrated that He could do only that which God can do.
Jesus responded to Nathanael’s declaration with the promise that Nathanael would witness things greater than this (Jesus’ knowledge of things which He did not see). Nathanael would witness the angels of God ascending and descending upon Him (the Son of man). Nathanael would witness interaction between Him (the Son) and God the Father. Nathanael would witness greater things because he believed. All believers shall witness the Father through Him. There is an unbreakable link between believing and seeing “greater things.” Believers shall see and enter into the kingdom of heaven.
