Further convictions of the disciples. ( b ) The theme of the Old Testament. Philip findeth Nathanael. He has no sooner accepted the Lord who found him, than he is eager to communicate the Divine secret to others. It seems widely accepted, though without any positive proof, that this Nathanael was identical with the Bartholomew (Bar Tolmai, son of Ptolemy) of the four lists of apostles, on the following grounds: read more
The calling of Nathanael. After Jesus finds Philip, Philip finds Nathanael. "One lighted torch serves to light another, and thus faith is propagated." I. THE CHARACTER OF NATHANAEL , OR BARTHOLOMEW . He was a devout Jew, a student of Scripture, of a thoughtful temper, and of prayerful habits. He was above all a guileless Israelite: "An Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." II. THE DIFFICULTIES OF NATHANAEL . "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" 1 . A... read more
The candid disciple. Nathanael is a person of whom we know but very little. That he was of Cana, that he was probably the same as Bartholomew, that, after the resurrection of Jesus, he was in company with Peter upon the Lake of Gennesareth,—this is all we are told concerning him, except what we learn from this passage. Our chief interest in him, therefore, lies in his call to the discipleship of the Lord. I. MORAL PREPARATION FOR DISCIPLESHIP . Like many of Christ's friends,... read more
The guileless inquirer. Notice— I. THE CHARACTER OF NATHANAEL IN ITS DISTINGUISHING FEATURES . "An Israelite indeed." This title was partly given to Jacob, and assumed by his descendants. But many of them were Israelites only in name, not in deed. Hereditary titles are often hollow and unreal. They were genuine when bestowed at first as tokens and rewards of courage and service, but when assumed on account of birth merely, they often lack reality. Nathanael was a true... read more
Jesus and Nathanael. Jesus praises Nathanael both in what he says to others concerning him, and what he says directly to himself. Whatever Jesus may have found praiseworthy in the other four disciples, he said nothing. Nathanael stands out very distinctly as having in him elements of character needing to be published to all disciples. Jesus meant to say to others, "Be ye as this man. Be ye also Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile. Be ye those who have peculiar individual... read more
And Nathanael said to him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? The ordinary interpretations of the meaning of this question are not satisfactory. read more
"Come and see!" This was the proper counsel for Philip to give to Nathanael, and forevery true friend to give to the man whose mind is possessed with incredulity or with prejudice regarding Christ and his claims. Reasoning is very well; but an appeal to personal experience is in many cases far better. Many a man will draw a just inference for himself, which he will not allow another man to draw for him. In giving this advice Philip showed his knowledge of human nature. I. COME AND ... read more
(c) The Son of God and King of Israel. read more
Moses, in the law - Moses, in that part of the Old Testament which he wrote, called by the Jews “the law.” See Deuteronomy 18:15, Deuteronomy 18:18; Genesis 49:10; Genesis 3:15.And the prophets - Isaiah 53:1-12; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 9:24-27; Jeremiah 23:5-6; etc.Jesus of Nazareth ... - They spoke according to common apprehension. They spoke of him as the son of Joseph because he was commonly supposed to be. They spoke of him as dwelling at Nazareth, though they might not have been ignorant that... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:40-49
(2) The naming and convictions of the disciples. read more