John 1:50

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 1:43-51

We have here the call of Philip and Nathanael. I. Philip was called immediately by Christ himself, not as Andrew, who was directed to Christ by John, or Peter, who was invited by his brother. God has various methods of bringing his chosen ones home to himself. But, whatever means he uses, he is not tied to any. 1. Philip was called in a preventing was: Jesus findeth Philip. Christ sought us, and found us, before we made any enquiries after him. The name Philip is of Greek origin, and much used... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 1:43-51

1:43-51 On the next day Jesus determined to go away to Galilee; and there he found Philip. Jesus said to him: "Follow me!" Now Philip came from Bethsaida, which was the town from which Andrew and Peter came. Philip went and found Nathanael and said to him: "We have found the One about whom Moses wrote in the law, and about whom the prophets spoke--I mean Jesus, the son of Joseph, the man from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him: "Come... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 1:50

Jesus answered and said unto him ,.... Not as reproving him for his faith, as if he was too credulous, and too easily gave into the belief of Christ, as the Son of God, and true Messiah, upon these single expressions of his; but as approving of it, and surprised at it: because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou ? some read the words, not by way of interrogation, but as an assertion; "thou believest", or "hast believed", as the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 1:50

Because I said - I saw thee, etc. - As thou hast credited my Divine mission on this simple proof, that I saw thee when and where no human eye, placed where mine was, could see thee, thy faith shall not rest merely upon this, for thou shalt see greater things than these - more numerous and express proofs of my eternal power and Godhead. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 1:50

Verse 50 50.Jesus answered. He does not reprove Nathanael as if he had been too easy of belief, but rather approving of his faith, promises to him and to others that he will confirm it by stronger arguments. Besides, it was peculiar to one man that he was seen under a fig-tree by Christ, when absent and at a distance from him; but now Christ brings forward a proof which would be common to all, and thus — as if he had broken off from what he originally intended — instead of addressing one man,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:1-51

The phrase, "according to," has been thought by some to suggest a type of doctrine or teaching with which the document might be supposed to harmonize, and therefore to set aside the idea of personal authenticity by its very form. This interpretation, seeing it applies to Mark and Luke as well as to John and Matthew, would lose its meaning; for Mark and Luke, by numerous traditionary notices, have been continuously credited, not with having personally set any special type of doctrine before... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:35-51

3. The first disciples, and their testimony. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

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

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