Philip Tells Nathanael About Jesus of Nazarethby CBPepper
1:46John 1:46
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Nathanael doubted that the promised Messiah could come from Nazareth because it was a despised and obscure town held in low regard for wickedness. His question came from prejudice rooted in inheritance, education and false teaching, which closes the heart to light and judges truth by its lowly origin. Philip did not argue or press his claims but simply invited him to come and see Jesus and judge for himself. Meeting Jesus for himself swept away unbelief into full faith and confession of Him as Son of God and King of Israel. By making His home for thirty years in that place of bad reputation, Christ poured contempt on pride of place and station and taught that true honor rests not in rank or surroundings but in following Him, while Philip's invitation remains the pattern for bringing prejudiced souls to encounter the truth themselves.
Nazareth's Reputation and Setting
Nazareth was held in low regard and despised, proverbial for wickedness and known for its evil inhabitants, so that it seemed remarkable that anything good could come from there. Nathanael's question to Philip whether any good thing could come out of Nazareth expressed that contempt and the expectation that no good, and especially not the Messiah, was to come from such a place. Yet Christ, though the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory and the Only Begotten of God, deliberately chose birth of poor parents and life in that lowly place instead of the highest place of worldly honor. He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and clothed divinity with humanity to come as Redeemer when Satan seemed to be gaining supreme control, becoming poor so that through His poverty fallen humans might become rich and through His sacrifice lay hold of infinite power, become partakers of the divine nature, and be transformed into the divine likeness.
It was an obscure Galilean town hidden away among the hills, where Jesus lived nearly thirty years largely unknown, unhonored and without honor. There He dwelt as a carpenter working for wages as a servant to those for whom He labored, claiming nothing great or exalted though all the angel host was at His command. That dwelling there was a humiliating, rude and homely condescension of the Majesty of heaven to be made one of us and capable of sympathizing with all. His choice to make His home in humble Nazareth shows that no place or work dictated by duty is dishonorable when done faithfully, and that a faithful life can shine even in a corrupt society. He was just as certainly fulfilling His mission as the Pattern Man in that hidden toil as when walking on the sea, raising the dead, or dying on the cross to lift the race to new life, teaching that heaven may be very near in the common walks of life and that humble goodness and fidelity in daily work bring close walk with God and angels' special guardianship.
The same scorn that belonged to Nazareth belonged to Cooranbong, which bore the name and reputation of being the worst place in its section of the country. Yet it was marked out as the very place where God desired a center and a school to be established to educate young people for various lines of work and of the Lord's work. This shows that good can come from a despised place when God directs advance in faith without hesitation in unbelief despite being cramped for means.
Nathanael's Prejudice and Invitation
When Philip identified Jesus as a Nazarene, as Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets wrote, Nathanael doubted that the promised Messiah could come from Nazareth. His question whether any good thing could come out of Nazareth expressed doubt about the expected deliverer arising from that place. That prejudice against Nazareth still left him with an honest desire for truth that led him to come despite his doubt.
His question arose from prejudice put in his mind by inheritance and education, and from false teaching and unbelief. Hearing the name Nazareth stirred that prejudice because of the town's reputation, even though he was a sincere seeker walking in the light he had. Such prejudiced unbelief dismisses truth because of its lowly origin, and it is the same attitude shown by the Jews of old toward Christ. Whenever prejudice closes the door of the heart to light it fills it with darkness, distorts reasoning, misapplies Scripture to sustain favorite theories, and leaves confusion instead of humbly receiving the light shining from the Word.
Philip did not argue, enter controversy, combat the prejudice, or press his claims, but with faith in the Saviour simply urged Nathanael to come and meet Jesus himself and judge for himself. His heavenly peace moved Nathanael to leave prayer and go to Jesus. A direct invitation to encounter Jesus can answer doubt, and a gentle invitation and patient approach is wiser than forceful argument when people are prejudiced against the truth.
Meeting Jesus swept away prejudice and unbelief into complete, simple faith and full confession of Jesus as Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus knew him and strengthened his faith, leading him to firm, abiding faith. Nathanael's drawing back when confronted with a hard claim also illustrates how people may recoil when truth involves a cross, and kindness and love can help them examine the chain of prophecy, see its harmony, and value the word of God more as they study it.
Seeking Truth Personally
Nathanael was a sincere seeker after truth, walking in the light he already had and holding fast unyieldingly to the light and truth he believed, not satisfied to grope in darkness but wanting clearer light. When Philip found him he was bowing in earnest prayer under the fig tree, pleading with his Father in heaven and petitioning the Lord for light to know the truth. While he was still praying Philip came as a messenger to lead him to the Source of all light. The Lord does not leave such a seeker in darkness.
He became a disciple by coming to see and examining Jesus personally rather than relying on another person's testimony or on the rabbis, showing that personal seeking can overcome prejudice and lead to truth. Those who search the Scriptures must come in the same way, as learners with eager interest and fervent prayer to understand the foundation principles of the faith of Christ, rather than to force its utterances to agree with preconceived ideas, and light will come to every earnest seeker as it came to Nathanael. Nathanael represents thousands of sincere souls in the darkness of error who have never heard the truth yet offer sincere and contrite prayer for light and for the revealings of the Holy Spirit. Those who cherish every ray of light that shines upon them will be accepted of God, and Christ's lightbearers must be faithful to labor for such praying souls, for seekers after God asking for light and truth may be reached through personal witness.
The verse belongs to the account of Jesus choosing His first disciples, and Nathanael was among those chosen. It belongs to the account of Jesus' first disciples whose testimony about what they had seen and heard at the Jordan stirred hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people. It belongs to the entering upon Jesus' great earthly work when He chose five disciples, John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael. These men were called from their humble occupations to accompany Him in His ministry, to receive His divine teachings, and to witness His mighty miracles, that they might publish them to the world.
Christ's Humility in Nazareth
Jesus made His home among the people of Nazareth for thirty years, living there unhonored and unknown among the lowly poor in a poor family. He dwelt in that obscure Galilean town hidden away among the hills, working as a carpenter for wages to help support His family and subject to His parents. Though He was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, the Only Begotten of God, equal with God and Commander of the angelic host, He deliberately chose birth of poor parents and life in that lowly place instead of the highest place of worldly honor. He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and clothed divinity with humanity, becoming a helpless babe born in a stable and brought up in Nazareth to come as Redeemer of fallen beings when Satan seemed to be gaining supreme control.
By becoming a citizen of that place of bad reputation and moral darkness and misery He set His feet upon the paths the poor and neglected souls must tread. As the Light of the world He pours contempt upon human pride of place, station, honor, and fame. At the very beginning of the gospel age God by this taught His church not to rely on worldly rank or grandeur, not on outward appearance or display, but on the Lord God of Israel. His example shows that Christian character does not depend on place, fortune, or prosperity, and that no place or work dictated by duty is dishonorable when done faithfully. A faithful life can shine even in a corrupt society, and His life rebukes the excuse that bad or unpleasant surroundings prevent a blameless life, lest His followers compelled to live in lowly places should frame an excuse for their sins and for rough, hard, uncourteous character.
His hidden toil as the Pattern Man was just as certainly fulfilling His mission as walking on the sea of Galilee or raising the dead or dying on the cross to lift the race to new life. His example teaches that heaven may be very near in the common walks of life, and that it is not climbing to eminence but the humble life of goodness and fidelity in daily work that makes men and women walk closely with God and the object of angels' special guardianship. His lowly origin and life show that faithful duty includes diligent labor and providing for those entrusted to one's care. The humble Nazarene was the Saviour, showing the judgment that no good thing could come from Nazareth was wrong, and true honor rests not in status, titles, learning, wealth, or position but in following Christ and living by His grace. Becoming poor so that through His poverty fallen humans might become rich, He stands at the head of humanity so that through His sacrifice men and women may lay hold of infinite power, become partakers of the divine nature, be transformed into the divine likeness, and be raised to higher life through His condescension, service, and help to the tempted.
Inviting Others to Christ
Philip's invitation to come and see shows personal effort to bring another to Christ, and it teaches that followers are to make direct, personal appeals to relatives, friends, acquaintances and neighbors rather than leaving the work of bringing people to the Saviour to ministers alone. When first love is stirred the believer seeks out relatives and friends with urgent desire to tell that Jesus has been found, and Nathanael stands for those who are seeking God and asking for light and truth and may be reached by such witness. The appeal succeeds not by relying on another person's testimony but by bringing the person to meet Jesus for himself, while Christ's character shown in the believer's life supports the testimony.
Anyone who has come to know Jesus, whether young or old, tells a friend about Him, as Philip brought his friend Nathanael to meet the Saviour. Receiving light leads at once to going and calling another and bringing him to Christ, communicating the light already received to those in darkness. This prompt response does not wait for advanced education, multiplied opportunities, further privileges, or more opportunities, but practices the truth by sharing it, and youths who already have truth should likewise begin sharing it instead of waiting. Delay for further education while souls are lost and the work in the highways and hedges is left undone is therefore rebuked.
No sooner does one come to Christ than a desire is born to make known what a precious friend has been found in Jesus, for saving truth cannot be shut up in the heart. Those clothed with Christ's righteousness and filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, having tasted that the Lord is good, cannot hold their peace but invite others into His presence to meet Christ for themselves. They present the attractions of Christ and the unseen realities of the world to come, with intense desire to follow the path Jesus trod and earnest longing that those around them may behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. They are ready to make any sacrifice so that others may share the heavenly gift and the world may be made better.
One who has been called by Christ and illuminated by His grace cannot keep the discovery alone but shares with others the joy that cheers the soul. By that act of faith in the Saviour the sharer becomes a light-bearer and receives increased light, shining more and more unto the perfect day. This shows that one who has really accepted Christ will not be satisfied to enjoy divine favor alone, and that the purest and holiest devotion leads to persevering, unselfish effort for the salvation of those outside the fold.
Philip's words give the pattern for approaching unbelievers and those whose prejudice against present truth arises from teachings, traditions, false teaching and unbelief. Instead of first confronting them with features of belief they find objectionable or arguing against prejudice, they are to be invited to come and observe, encounter, examine and consider the truth for themselves. The truth and its people are to be made accessible through camp meetings and open presentation, so honest seekers can see and hear for themselves, impart what they know about practical work, receive truth, discover error, learn its beauty, and be convinced. Meeting Jesus in this way sweeps away unbelief into firm, abiding faith, and those who have found the truth urge others to learn it and use their abilities to advance God's work.
Philip's bringing of Nathanael was true home missionary labor, illustrating how personal witness can lead someone seeking spiritual light to the Saviour. Nathanael accepted the invitation to seek Jesus for himself and found Him. He is a sincere Christian pleading with his Father in heaven for light to know the truth, having grace but less light, holding fast unyieldingly to the light he has and the truth he believes, not satisfied to grope in darkness but wanting clearer light, and the Lord does not leave him in darkness. His example calls God's people to be earnest seekers for the truth.
Nathanael doubted that the promised Messiah could come from Nazareth because it was a despised and obscure town held in low regard for wickedness. His question came from prejudice rooted in inheritance, education and false teaching, which closes the heart to light and judges truth by its lowly origin. Philip did not argue or press his claims but simply invited him to come and see Jesus and judge for himself. Meeting Jesus for himself swept away unbelief into full faith and confession of Him as Son of God and King of Israel. By making His home for thirty years in that place of bad reputation, Christ poured contempt on pride of place and station and taught that true honor rests not in rank or surroundings but in following Him, while Philip's invitation remains the pattern for bringing prejudiced souls to encounter the truth themselves.
Nazareth's Reputation and Setting
Nazareth was held in low regard and despised, proverbial for wickedness and known for its evil inhabitants, so that it seemed remarkable that anything good could come from there. Nathanael's question to Philip whether any good thing could come out of Nazareth expressed that contempt and the expectation that no good, and especially not the Messiah, was to come from such a place. Yet Christ, though the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory and the Only Begotten of God, deliberately chose birth of poor parents and life in that lowly place instead of the highest place of worldly honor. He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and clothed divinity with humanity to come as Redeemer when Satan seemed to be gaining supreme control, becoming poor so that through His poverty fallen humans might become rich and through His sacrifice lay hold of infinite power, become partakers of the divine nature, and be transformed into the divine likeness.
It was an obscure Galilean town hidden away among the hills, where Jesus lived nearly thirty years largely unknown, unhonored and without honor. There He dwelt as a carpenter working for wages as a servant to those for whom He labored, claiming nothing great or exalted though all the angel host was at His command. That dwelling there was a humiliating, rude and homely condescension of the Majesty of heaven to be made one of us and capable of sympathizing with all. His choice to make His home in humble Nazareth shows that no place or work dictated by duty is dishonorable when done faithfully, and that a faithful life can shine even in a corrupt society. He was just as certainly fulfilling His mission as the Pattern Man in that hidden toil as when walking on the sea, raising the dead, or dying on the cross to lift the race to new life, teaching that heaven may be very near in the common walks of life and that humble goodness and fidelity in daily work bring close walk with God and angels' special guardianship.
The same scorn that belonged to Nazareth belonged to Cooranbong, which bore the name and reputation of being the worst place in its section of the country. Yet it was marked out as the very place where God desired a center and a school to be established to educate young people for various lines of work and of the Lord's work. This shows that good can come from a despised place when God directs advance in faith without hesitation in unbelief despite being cramped for means.
Nathanael's Prejudice and Invitation
When Philip identified Jesus as a Nazarene, as Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets wrote, Nathanael doubted that the promised Messiah could come from Nazareth. His question whether any good thing could come out of Nazareth expressed doubt about the expected deliverer arising from that place. That prejudice against Nazareth still left him with an honest desire for truth that led him to come despite his doubt.
His question arose from prejudice put in his mind by inheritance and education, and from false teaching and unbelief. Hearing the name Nazareth stirred that prejudice because of the town's reputation, even though he was a sincere seeker walking in the light he had. Such prejudiced unbelief dismisses truth because of its lowly origin, and it is the same attitude shown by the Jews of old toward Christ. Whenever prejudice closes the door of the heart to light it fills it with darkness, distorts reasoning, misapplies Scripture to sustain favorite theories, and leaves confusion instead of humbly receiving the light shining from the Word.
Philip did not argue, enter controversy, combat the prejudice, or press his claims, but with faith in the Saviour simply urged Nathanael to come and meet Jesus himself and judge for himself. His heavenly peace moved Nathanael to leave prayer and go to Jesus. A direct invitation to encounter Jesus can answer doubt, and a gentle invitation and patient approach is wiser than forceful argument when people are prejudiced against the truth.
Meeting Jesus swept away prejudice and unbelief into complete, simple faith and full confession of Jesus as Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus knew him and strengthened his faith, leading him to firm, abiding faith. Nathanael's drawing back when confronted with a hard claim also illustrates how people may recoil when truth involves a cross, and kindness and love can help them examine the chain of prophecy, see its harmony, and value the word of God more as they study it.
Seeking Truth Personally
Nathanael was a sincere seeker after truth, walking in the light he already had and holding fast unyieldingly to the light and truth he believed, not satisfied to grope in darkness but wanting clearer light. When Philip found him he was bowing in earnest prayer under the fig tree, pleading with his Father in heaven and petitioning the Lord for light to know the truth. While he was still praying Philip came as a messenger to lead him to the Source of all light. The Lord does not leave such a seeker in darkness.
He became a disciple by coming to see and examining Jesus personally rather than relying on another person's testimony or on the rabbis, showing that personal seeking can overcome prejudice and lead to truth. Those who search the Scriptures must come in the same way, as learners with eager interest and fervent prayer to understand the foundation principles of the faith of Christ, rather than to force its utterances to agree with preconceived ideas, and light will come to every earnest seeker as it came to Nathanael. Nathanael represents thousands of sincere souls in the darkness of error who have never heard the truth yet offer sincere and contrite prayer for light and for the revealings of the Holy Spirit. Those who cherish every ray of light that shines upon them will be accepted of God, and Christ's lightbearers must be faithful to labor for such praying souls, for seekers after God asking for light and truth may be reached through personal witness.
The verse belongs to the account of Jesus choosing His first disciples, and Nathanael was among those chosen. It belongs to the account of Jesus' first disciples whose testimony about what they had seen and heard at the Jordan stirred hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people. It belongs to the entering upon Jesus' great earthly work when He chose five disciples, John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael. These men were called from their humble occupations to accompany Him in His ministry, to receive His divine teachings, and to witness His mighty miracles, that they might publish them to the world.
Christ's Humility in Nazareth
Jesus made His home among the people of Nazareth for thirty years, living there unhonored and unknown among the lowly poor in a poor family. He dwelt in that obscure Galilean town hidden away among the hills, working as a carpenter for wages to help support His family and subject to His parents. Though He was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, the Only Begotten of God, equal with God and Commander of the angelic host, He deliberately chose birth of poor parents and life in that lowly place instead of the highest place of worldly honor. He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and clothed divinity with humanity, becoming a helpless babe born in a stable and brought up in Nazareth to come as Redeemer of fallen beings when Satan seemed to be gaining supreme control.
By becoming a citizen of that place of bad reputation and moral darkness and misery He set His feet upon the paths the poor and neglected souls must tread. As the Light of the world He pours contempt upon human pride of place, station, honor, and fame. At the very beginning of the gospel age God by this taught His church not to rely on worldly rank or grandeur, not on outward appearance or display, but on the Lord God of Israel. His example shows that Christian character does not depend on place, fortune, or prosperity, and that no place or work dictated by duty is dishonorable when done faithfully. A faithful life can shine even in a corrupt society, and His life rebukes the excuse that bad or unpleasant surroundings prevent a blameless life, lest His followers compelled to live in lowly places should frame an excuse for their sins and for rough, hard, uncourteous character.
His hidden toil as the Pattern Man was just as certainly fulfilling His mission as walking on the sea of Galilee or raising the dead or dying on the cross to lift the race to new life. His example teaches that heaven may be very near in the common walks of life, and that it is not climbing to eminence but the humble life of goodness and fidelity in daily work that makes men and women walk closely with God and the object of angels' special guardianship. His lowly origin and life show that faithful duty includes diligent labor and providing for those entrusted to one's care. The humble Nazarene was the Saviour, showing the judgment that no good thing could come from Nazareth was wrong, and true honor rests not in status, titles, learning, wealth, or position but in following Christ and living by His grace. Becoming poor so that through His poverty fallen humans might become rich, He stands at the head of humanity so that through His sacrifice men and women may lay hold of infinite power, become partakers of the divine nature, be transformed into the divine likeness, and be raised to higher life through His condescension, service, and help to the tempted.
Inviting Others to Christ
Philip's invitation to come and see shows personal effort to bring another to Christ, and it teaches that followers are to make direct, personal appeals to relatives, friends, acquaintances and neighbors rather than leaving the work of bringing people to the Saviour to ministers alone. When first love is stirred the believer seeks out relatives and friends with urgent desire to tell that Jesus has been found, and Nathanael stands for those who are seeking God and asking for light and truth and may be reached by such witness. The appeal succeeds not by relying on another person's testimony but by bringing the person to meet Jesus for himself, while Christ's character shown in the believer's life supports the testimony.
Anyone who has come to know Jesus, whether young or old, tells a friend about Him, as Philip brought his friend Nathanael to meet the Saviour. Receiving light leads at once to going and calling another and bringing him to Christ, communicating the light already received to those in darkness. This prompt response does not wait for advanced education, multiplied opportunities, further privileges, or more opportunities, but practices the truth by sharing it, and youths who already have truth should likewise begin sharing it instead of waiting. Delay for further education while souls are lost and the work in the highways and hedges is left undone is therefore rebuked.
No sooner does one come to Christ than a desire is born to make known what a precious friend has been found in Jesus, for saving truth cannot be shut up in the heart. Those clothed with Christ's righteousness and filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, having tasted that the Lord is good, cannot hold their peace but invite others into His presence to meet Christ for themselves. They present the attractions of Christ and the unseen realities of the world to come, with intense desire to follow the path Jesus trod and earnest longing that those around them may behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. They are ready to make any sacrifice so that others may share the heavenly gift and the world may be made better.
One who has been called by Christ and illuminated by His grace cannot keep the discovery alone but shares with others the joy that cheers the soul. By that act of faith in the Saviour the sharer becomes a light-bearer and receives increased light, shining more and more unto the perfect day. This shows that one who has really accepted Christ will not be satisfied to enjoy divine favor alone, and that the purest and holiest devotion leads to persevering, unselfish effort for the salvation of those outside the fold.
Philip's words give the pattern for approaching unbelievers and those whose prejudice against present truth arises from teachings, traditions, false teaching and unbelief. Instead of first confronting them with features of belief they find objectionable or arguing against prejudice, they are to be invited to come and observe, encounter, examine and consider the truth for themselves. The truth and its people are to be made accessible through camp meetings and open presentation, so honest seekers can see and hear for themselves, impart what they know about practical work, receive truth, discover error, learn its beauty, and be convinced. Meeting Jesus in this way sweeps away unbelief into firm, abiding faith, and those who have found the truth urge others to learn it and use their abilities to advance God's work.
Philip's bringing of Nathanael was true home missionary labor, illustrating how personal witness can lead someone seeking spiritual light to the Saviour. Nathanael accepted the invitation to seek Jesus for himself and found Him. He is a sincere Christian pleading with his Father in heaven for light to know the truth, having grace but less light, holding fast unyieldingly to the light he has and the truth he believes, not satisfied to grope in darkness but wanting clearer light, and the Lord does not leave him in darkness. His example calls God's people to be earnest seekers for the truth.