Νathanael from Cana in Galilee was likely a humble fisherman by trade (Joh 21:2). The name “Nathanael” is found only six times, exclusively in John’s Gospel, but many Bible scholars believe he is the same man referred to as “Bartholomew,” meaning “son of Tolmai,” elsewhere in the New Testament. This disciple was likely “Nathanael the son of Tolmai” in the same way that Peter was “Simon Bar-Jonah,” or “Simon the son of Jonah” (Mat 16:17).1 Nathanael being Bartholomew is further supported by the pairing of Philip and Bartholomew in the various lists of disciples (Mat 10:3; Mar 3:18; Luk 6:14; Act 1:13), consistent with the pairing of Philip and Nathanael in John 1:45-49. In each of these four lists we find him in the same position: sixth – in the middle. How wonderful that our Lord can call and use us for His glory when we feel like there is nothing outstanding about us average, “middle of the pack” people (1Co 1:26-29).
Nathanael’s first recorded encounter with Christ occurred just two days after Jesus’ baptism, during the initial week of our Lord’s public ministry (Joh 1:45-49). Philip, having just been called himself, finds Nathanael and exclaims, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (v45). Nathanael is immediately skeptical: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (v46). His reaction could reflect a disparaging view held by those from Cana towards the even smaller village of Nazareth, located about 14 kilometers to their south. However, it more likely reveals Nathanael’s concern that no prophecies about the Messiah explicitly mention Nazareth.
Philip’s response is simple and wise: “Come and see” (v46). Notice this pattern in John 1:39,42,46 and 4:29. It’s often still the best approach: “Come with me, hear the gospel, see the one I love and trust.”
The Savior’s opening words are surprising: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” (v47). Nathanael almost certainly catches the irony. “Jacob” means “supplanter,” or “deceiver,” yet Nathanael is “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no ‘Jacob.’” But this is more than a commendation. It was God whom Jacob met, who knew Jacob, whom Jacob came to know, and who changed Jacob forever. Now Nathanael is meeting that same God.
The phrase “in whom there is no deceit” echoes Psalm 32:2, which describes a blessed man “in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Nathanael is certainly about to be blessed. “No deceit” could also be translated “no duplicity,” meaning Nathanael was honest and transparent. This is evident in Nathanael’s candid skepticism, his willingness to investigate, his openness to being convinced, and his prompt, wholehearted declaration about Christ’s identity once he is convinced. Is this true of us? “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Eph 4:25).
Surprised by Christ’s insight into his character, Nathanael asks, “How do you know me?” (Joh 1:48). Nathanael might suspect Philip informed the Lord about him. But the Lord clarifies, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you” (v48).
This immediately convinces Nathanael that the man he’s meeting is “the Son of God … the King of Israel!” (v49). What Nathanael understands by having been seen by the Lord while under the fig tree is not explained. We do know the fig tree often represents the place of prayer and meditation on Scripture in Jewish tradition. Maybe Nathanael had recently been in earnest prayer and contemplation regarding the Messiah, and now, in this moment, he realizes that his very private seeking is being acknowledged and answered by Christ (Jer 29:13). How precious when we hear Him answer us so directly and specifically through His Word today.
Could the reference to the fig tree also have evoked Zechariah’s promise of “my servant the Branch” and a time when “every one … will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree” (Zec 3:8-10)? This is paralleled in Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the King of Israel: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isa 11:1). Interestingly, the Hebrew word netzer used by Isaiah for “Branch” has a root related to the root of the name “Nazareth.” “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Yes, indeed, the Branch came forth from Nazareth! While we don’t know what convinced Nathanael, his conclusion is emphatic: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (Joh 1:49).
Our Lord then says to Nathanael, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (v51). He clearly alludes to Genesis 28:12, where Jacob sees a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. By appreciating who the Lord Jesus is, Nathanael, and those with him (“you” is plural in John 1:51), will come to know Him as the true link between heaven and earth, the mediator between God and man, fulfilling the promises given to the patriarchs. Interestingly, Philip’s declaration to Nathanael that “we have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote” (v45) has been affirmed in Christ’s interactions with Nathanael: the references to Jacob come out of the books of Moses, and the fig tree links Him to the prophets.
There is no doubt that, like Jacob, Nathanael was forever changed by encountering Christ. Scripture testifies to Nathanael’s faithfulness as one of the Twelve. Eusebius of Caesarea and other early historians suggest that Nathanael went to India, where he preached the gospel and left a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Nathanael is also often credited with bringing the gospel to Armenia. And the most common account of Nathanael’s death is that he was flayed alive and then beheaded.
There’s certainly no telling what the Lord can do with “an average, six out of twelve” believer who fully yields their life to the King of kings, the Son of God!
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the ESV.
