MPV Commentary

Nathanael.

38. What are you looking for? This was Jesus' first public statement, and it is remarkable for its gentle and winning tone (see Matthew 12:18-20).

Where do you live? He's asking a question that can't be answered in a moment, but if he were to spend some quiet time with them, they would gladly share their concerns.

39. Come and see. This was Jesus' second statement, even more winning than the first.

The tenth hour had arrived, not ten o'clock in the morning as some might think, but four o'clock in the afternoon according to Jewish reckoning (John follows this). They stayed out with him because little of the day remained.

40. One of them was Andrew, Peter's brother and the elder of the two. The evangelist still remembers the details of their first encounter with Jesus; he reports no personal conversations but focuses on the circumstances. His sensitivity is evident in his account.

41. They had found the Messiah. Their simple hearts, prepared by John the Baptist's ministry, quickly led them to this conviction, while others hesitated and eventually became obstinate.

42. Andrew brought him to Jesus. Happy brothers who do this for each other!

They looked at him with significant attention (as in John 1:36). Cephas, or Peter, was a stone upon which the church would be built (see Matthew 16:18).

43. They wanted to go into Galilee because Jesus had been living in Judea since his baptism. This shows that the call at the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18) occurred later.

Follow me, Jesus said, giving them their first explicit call. The previous three had come to him spontaneously.

44. He was from the city where Andrew and Peter were born, likely Capernaum (Mark 1:29).

45. Nathanael is mentioned again (see Matthew 10:3). Moses is also mentioned (John 5:46), as well as Joseph's son (Luke 3:23).

46. Any good thing come out of Nazareth? This question sprang from a fear of making a mistake in such an important matter, remembering that the Messiah was predicted to be born in Bethlehem.

Come and see, Jesus said, offering a noble remedy against preconceived opinions (see John 6:68). Philip could show Nathaniel how to resolve his difficulty.

47. An Israelite indeed, without guile or hypocrisy, ready to follow truth wherever it led him. This is reminiscent of Samuel's response, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10).

48. How do you know me? Nathaniel was aware that Jesus had read his heart and understood the situation.

Before Philip called you, he said, showing that he knew everything that happened between them at a distance.

When you were under the fig tree, I saw you there. This refers to a common place for meditation and prayer (Lightfoot). He had retired to pour out his heart for guidance, ending with a prayer like "Show me a token for good!" Now he has it: Jesus saw that scene with all its anxieties, deep pleadings, and tremulous hopes.

49. Son of God and King of Israel. These titles denote Jesus' person and office, respectively. This is loftier than anything Philip had said to him. Just as the earth's powers take a greater spring when released from frost, souls like Nathaniel and Thomas (see John 20:28) take off more easily once they are freed.

50-51. Because I said this to you, you believe? An expression of admiration for their quick conviction based on Jesus' words alone.

Hereafter you will see the heavens open, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (see Genesis 28:12-22). This refers to Jacob's vision, where he saw heaven opened and angels ascending and descending upon a ladder. By and by, this communication between heaven and earth will be thrown wide open, with the Son of Man as the real Ladder of this intercourse.