“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’ Nathanael said to Him, ‘ How do You know me?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.'” (John 1:47-50).

Eureka! (I have found). Philip believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He spoke of this to Nathanael (a.k.a. Bartholomew, or son of Tolmai). He wanted him to meet Jesus (John 1:45-46 cf. 1:40-42). Philip and Nathanael may have been close friends. Their names usually appear together in Scripture (1 John 1:45 cf. Matthew 10:3; Mark 2:18; Luke 6:14).

At first, Nathanael was skeptical. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Nazareth was located about four or five miles from Cana, Nathanael’s home (cf. John 21:2). Nazareth was a small, insignificant town. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament, the Talmud, or by Josephus.

Philip persisted. “Come and see” (John 1:46).

Jesus greeted Nathanael with the words, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” (John 1:47). What a compliment. He was not only an Israelite, but an Israelite as he should be, an honest Israelite.

Nathanael, surprised by the greeting, asked “How do you know me?” (John 1:48). Jesus responded by saying, in effect, “I know all about you. I know where you were and what you are doing before Philip called you.”

Nathanael was convinced (John 1:49). This, in truth, was the Messiah, who was standing before him. Philip was correct.

Jesus, in effect, told Nathanael, “You have not seen anything yet. Greater things will be seen by you.” (John 1:50).

A Few Thoughts

1. He knows us. He knows where we are and what we are doing. He knows our character and what is within us (Psalm 139:1-12; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 17:10; 20:12 cf. Revelation 2:23; John 1:50; 2:25).
2. What is our character? Would he say that we are honest and without deceit? Would he say that we are the kind of Christian that we should be?
3. Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:46-47). Andrew brought Simon Peter, his brother, to Jesus (John 1:40-42). Are we bringing others to Jesus?
4. Are we, as Nathanael, honest enough to investigate and draw proper conclusions about Jesus? Or do we allow prejudice to hinder our investigation?