John 1:48, commentary and pictures

Before Philip called him, Nathanael was alone in a secluded place under a fig tree, praying and meditating and earnestly asking God for light to know the truth about the Messiah. Though not bodily present, Jesus saw him there by divine sight and knew his private prayer and his guileless, sincere character. By telling him where he had been, Jesus gave proof of supernatural knowledge that answered his prayer for assurance, swept away his prejudice, and convinced him that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and King of Israel. The same Jesus still sees people in their secret places of prayer when in humility they seek him for light to know what is truth, and angels from the world of light attend them. Light comes to every earnest seeker as it came to Nathanael, for God sees sincere private prayer and answers it with certain returns to those who watch unto prayer and believe.

Nathanael Under the Fig Tree

Before Philip called him, Nathanael was alone in a secluded grove under a fig tree, bowed in prayer and meditation. It was a secluded place where he and Philip often prayed together, and while he was still petitioning, Philip interrupted him and came to call him. Philip came with the news of the Messiah to lead him to Jesus as the Source of all light.

There under the tree he was earnestly asking God that he might know the truth, sincerely longing for light. He had gone there to consider the prophecies about the Messiah and John's announcement, thinking and praying about them alone. He was praying for assurance about the Messiah, longing for light and for certainty whether Jesus was the one foretold.

He was a sincere, guileless seeker, walking in the light he had. He held fast unyieldingly to the light and truth he already believed, a sincere believer who had grace but less light, cherishing every ray that shone upon him and not satisfied to grope in darkness but wanting clearer light. He opened his heart to God as to a friend, from a sincere heart with no self-exalting but a real sense of weakness and unworthiness.

The verse belongs to the beginning of the great work of Jesus's earthly life when He chose five disciples, John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael. Nathanael was called from his humble occupation to accompany Jesus in His ministry, to receive His divine teachings and to witness His mighty miracles, that he with the others might publish them to the world. Philip's seeking Nathanael and bringing him to Christ is an example of personal effort to lead others to the Saviour, showing the importance of personally bringing family, friends, and neighbors to Christ. It was true Christian home missionary labor to bring clearer light to such souls, and it shows that honest seekers should be invited to come and see Jesus for themselves and to see and hear for themselves.

Jesus Knew Him Supernaturally

Though not bodily present with him, Jesus saw Nathanael by divine sight while he was praying alone in a secluded place under a fig tree before Philip called him. That hidden retreat was a place where he and Philip often prayed together, and Jesus knew his private circumstances there and his guileless character. His divine sight reached Nathanael beneath the fig tree and answered his prayer.

His words show that God reads the hearts, motives, and purposes of all people. Nathanael's prayer under the fig tree came from a sincere heart, opening his heart to God as to a friend with no self-exalting but a real sense of weakness and unworthiness. Jesus saw him there and heard and answered that secret prayer, giving precious evidence of divine love and care close at hand, for the Lord delights in the prayer of the upright and will not be slow to hear those who open their hearts to Him in this way.

By telling Nathanael where he had been, Jesus gave proof of supernatural knowledge. Nathanael had gone there alone to pray and meditate in a secluded grove, to consider the prophecies about the Messiah and John's announcement. That knowledge answered his prayer for assurance about the Messiah and confirmed the Holy Spirit's witness to him. It strengthened his wavering faith, swept away his inherited prejudice against Nazareth, and captivated his soul. It convinced him that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and King of Israel, giving him divine enlightenment with fuller light and a firm, abiding faith that pleased Jesus and drew His commendation.

Christ saw Nathanael before Nathanael saw Christ, while he was still under the fig tree before Philip called him. Likewise He sees His children and has them in mind before they notice Him, and calls them before they answer His call. This gives assurance of His personal care as a sympathizing Redeemer who identifies with suffering humanity and comforts the afflicted.

Christ Still Sees Seekers

The same Jesus who saw Nathanael in his secluded place of prayer before Philip called him still sees all who pray in secret when they seek Him for light to know what is truth. Angels from the world of light attend those who in humility of heart seek divine guidance. Enlightenment of the Holy Spirit is given to Bible study begun with prayer. Light comes to every earnest seeker for truth as it came to Nathanael, who bowed in prayer under the fig tree earnestly asking God that he might know the truth while still petitioning for light. Those who would have light must come as learners with eager interest and fervent prayer to know what is truth, and must not interpret Scripture to agree with preconceived ideas.

God sees sincere private prayer and answers it. The prayer that comes from a sincere heart is heard, for He reads hearts, motives, and purposes and delights in the prayer of the upright. He gives precious evidence of divine love and care close at hand to those who open their hearts to Him as to a friend with no self-exalting but a real sense of weakness and unworthiness, and He will not be slow to hear them. The fervent prayer of the righteous is never lost, and every sincere prayer will bring its returns. The answer is certain because God's word is pledged, though it may not come as expected, and it comes to those who watch unto prayer, believe they receive what they ask, keep believing with expectancy and hope, and never lose patience in believing.

As He saw Nathanael beneath the fig tree before Nathanael saw Him, He sees and calls His children before they notice Him or answer His call. He knows and sees each person even when others do not. He understands every grief and sorrow and affliction. This gives assurance of His personal care as a sympathizing Redeemer who identifies with suffering humanity, cares for suffering people, and is strength in affliction.

Nathanael under the fig tree pleading with his Father in heaven for light to know the truth pictures thousands in humble homes who have never heard the truth yet offer sincere and contrite prayer. They pray at a time when profligacy and heresy and infidelity fill the land and carry a weight of oppression for the dishonor done to God. Like Nathanael they cherish every ray of light that shines upon them, hold fast unyieldingly to the light and truth already believed, are not satisfied to grope in darkness but want clearer light, and pray in the darkness of error for light and for the revealings of God's Holy Spirit, and for this they will be accepted of God. The Lord does not leave such souls in darkness but meets them through faithful labor. This calls for earnest seeking for truth and for Christ's lightbearers to do the same true Christian home missionary work to bring clearer light to them, to faithfully labor to bring the truth to them, and to invite honest seekers to come and see and hear for themselves, by whose meeting with Jesus prejudice and unbelief give way to firm, abiding faith. Philip's discovery of Christ as the Son of God is the gospel treasure, whose reception by faith brings joy and calls for acceptance of its obligations, repentance, and transformed character.