The next day he decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46 But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Jesus calls Philip, and Philip immediately tells Nathanael that they have found the One promised in the law and the prophets: Jesus of Nazareth (v. 43-45). Nazareth was a small, unimportant village. Nathanael reacts with doubt: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip does not argue. He simply says, “Come and see” (v. 46). Faith often begins this way—not with debate, but with an encounter.
Nathanael’s question reflects normal biblical expectation. Israel looked for the Messiah from David’s city, Bethlehem (Mi 5:2). Nazareth is never mentioned in the Old Testament, and Galilee—often called “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isa 9:1-2)—was seen as a mixed, marginal region. So his remark is the natural response of a sincere Israelite: the Christ should arise from David’s line and city, not from an obscure northern village (cf. Jn 7:41-42).
As Nathanael approaches, Jesus calls him “a true Israelite” in whom there is no “duplicity” (v. 47). Duplicity means deceit or a divided heart. Jesus recognizes a man who listens to God, speaks honestly, and is ready to believe when shown the truth, an example for all Israelites. Nathanael is startled: “How do you know me?” Jesus replies, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree” (v. 48). A fig tree provided shade and was a common place for prayer or Scripture reading. The point is simple and personal: Jesus knows Nathanael’s life and prayer. He sees the heart (cf. Jn 2:25; Ps 32:2).
Nathanael answers with clear faith: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (v. 49). Rabbi means teacher. Son of God and King of Israel are titles of the Messiah drawn from Israel’s Scriptures (cf. Ps 2). Nathanael moves from doubt to confession because he meets the Lord who already knows him, an example of how an encounter with Jesus can lead to profound change.
Jesus promises more: “You will see greater things” (v. 50). Then He adds, “You will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (v. 51). “Son of Man” echoes Dan 7:13-14, where a heavenly figure receives authority and an everlasting kingdom. The image of angels ascending and descending recalls Jacob’s dream of a ladder between heaven and earth (Gen 28:12). In Jacob’s time, the ladder showed that God was present and that heaven touched earth. Jesus now reveals that He Himself is the living “ladder”—the true meeting place of God and humanity. In Him, heaven is open. In Him, God’s presence dwells among us, and the promises are fulfilled (cf. Jn 1:14).
This passage offers guidance for our Christian lives, which begin with a call and grow through invitation. Jesus says, “Follow me” (v. 43). Philip then says, “Come and see” (v. 46). We receive Christ and then invite others to meet Him. The Church grows by personal witness rooted in encounter.
Sincerity clears a path for grace. Jesus honors Nathanael’s honest heart (v. 47). God asks for truth in the inner self—not a double life, not polished words that hide disbelief. When we speak to the Lord plainly, He meets us plainly. He sees our “fig tree” moments—our quiet prayers, our worries, our questions—and He answers with mercy and authority.
To remain with Jesus is to live where heaven is open. By invoking Jacob’s ladder and the Son of Man, Jesus shows that He is the bridge between earth and heaven. All that follows—His signs, His teaching, His suffering, death, and resurrection—flows from this identity. He is not only a teacher to follow, but the place of communion with the Father. To walk with Him is to stand where grace descends and hope rises.
Lord Jesus, You called Philip and welcomed Nathanael with truth and mercy. Make my heart sincere and free from duplicity. Keep me close to You, the Son of Man in whom heaven is open. Help me to invite others to “come and see,” and grant that, walking in Your light, I may see the greater things You promise. Amen.
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Sources and References
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- The Navarre Bible: St. John, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008), on Jn 1:43-51.
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. José Enrique Aguilar Chiu et al. (2018), “John,” on Jn 1:43-51; “Matthew,” on Mt 2:23.
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Raymond E. Brown et al. (1990), “John,” on Jn 1:43-51; notes on Mi 5:2; Isa 9:1-2; Gen 28.
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