Who Was Herod? Sort of like Merrillville. Nathaniel knew the Old Testament. Now days He would have been accused of spying on the brothers instead. Or crucified upside down. 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?. In fact, Jesus sees Nathanael approaching and he says, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! Nathanael can tell that this Jesus somehow knows something about him, that he has divine insight. But rather than just being casual readers, Philip and Nathanael had become passionate about the Word of God, even developing an interest in the prophecies of the promised Messiah. [2] [9], "John Wesley's Notes on the Gospel according to Saint John: Chapter 1", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nathanael_(follower_of_Jesus)&oldid=1149908118, This page was last edited on 15 April 2023, at 05:57. If you are traveling from the Mediterranean to Galilee you would pass through Nazareth. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In that passage, Nathanael is said to have come from Cana in Galilee, the same town were Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water to wine at the wedding feast (John 2:11). The story begins with Jesus finding Philip and saying to him, Follow me. Notice that: Jesus finds Philip. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. He was a founding Father of the early church and among the first to be martyred. When hes not writing stories and defending biblical truth, Joel is committed to helping young men find purpose in Christ and become fearless disciples and bold leaders in their homes, in the church, and in the world. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. They each mention him only once -- when they list all 12 apostles. That being said, we know Nathanael went on to play an important role in the formation of the early church, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, as Jesus had commissioned His disciples to do before His ascension (Matthew 28:19-20). How can you say no? By and large he didn't see the whole picture, or the end of the road. We can cut through a lot of the fog and smokescreens and side issues when we point people to Jesus and invite them to meet him here at our church. They were fisherman and worked alongside James and John. It bears wonderful fruit and gives good shade. At the very least, Nathanael had become a close companion of Philip prior to meeting Jesus and had grown up in the same region as Peter, Andrew, James, John, and maybe even Thomas. John says this was to test him because Jesus already knew what he would do. Notice Philips reply to the problem that Nathanael has with Nazareth. He had witnessed creative and recreative miracles. The cooking was done inside, so a fire was burning even in the summer. My friends, this is surely good news! That's group two. It was Jesus who found Philip! After the resurrection, Nathanael would go on to be a key leader in the early church, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth as commissioned by his lord and savior. You too will be a Philip, filled up with the joy and excitement that comes from knowing the Lord. Jesus proved that in His interactions with these men. We do know that Nathaniel was to faithful to the end, because he was faithful from the start. Rather, Nathanael had developed a regional prejudice and bias against those from a nearby town, perhaps in the same way crosstown rivals might deride each other, or residents of Los Angeles and San Francisco might disparage each other. The town was located on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee and meant house of fish.We know Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. The first six disciples, then, were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, and Bartholomew. These were Andrew, John, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathanael, James, and Levi Matthew. He had the ability to read Nathaniel's heart. Jesus was a common name. After all Andrew could introduce anyone to Jesus. That's all we know about Nathaniel. Peter and James came to the Lord because of the personal soul-winning of their brothers. The bad. . Was it the right thing to do? However, John's account makes it very clear that each of the disciples had to encounter Jesus personally. Nazareth was the smallest, most unimportant town I could think of. The Messiah has come! Or I know that you praise me all the way to work, 49 Then Nathaniel declared, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.. John 1:35-46 "Come and See"Real Discipleship The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. Thats where we werelost, wandering aimlessly, not looking for God. Others hint of the apostle being tied up in a sack and thrown into the sea. Peoples ears are closed to the gospel by many kinds of prejudice. Fun fact: Johns desire to tell us who said what is the reason Thomas got stuck with the infamous moniker, Doubting Thomas. For some reason Practical Philip didnt catch on, though. While its true that Nathanael had a heart to know God and an eager spirit, to Philips news, Nathanael responded, can anything good come out of Nazareth? (John 1:46). And so we follow, as he guides us out into the highways and byways of life, where we will find people for us to talk towhere we will find our own Nathanaels. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wroteJesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. John 1:43-46 [Read John 1: 43-51], Philip and Nathanael were brothers as were Andrew and Peter. In John's Gospel, Nathanael is introduced as a friend of Philip, from Bethsaida. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Nathanael recognizes Jesus as "the Son of God" and "the King of Israel". Another suggests Nathanael died by crucifixion. He would walk with Jesus during His subsequent forty days on earth, witness His miracle on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-8), eat breakfast with Jesus on the shores of Galilee (John 21:9-14), receive Christs great commission (Matthew 28:19-20), and observe Jesus final ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). James and John were brothers. Philip was one of those people who could do math and his head. Remember how the people of his hometown felt about him? This suggests that both Phillip and Nathaniel knew the Old Testament prophecy. Finding Philip, he said to him, Follow me.. As we saw earlier we know that it was Phillip who introduced Nathaniel to Jesus. (Since Taco Bell wasnt an option.). The principal obstacle to the identification of Philip as the Baptist's disciple is the failure of the Gospel to supply that identification. Of Nathanael, Jesus said, behold, an Israelite, indeed, in whom there is no deceit! (John 1:47). Today I want you to see yourself as a Philip. The Bible doesn't say Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. Its the story of Philip and Nathanael, how they came to be disciples and follow our Lord. Besides if Andrew got in trouble that would be Andrew's problem. 45 Philip found Nathaniel and told him, We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wroteJesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.. How can you say, Show us the Father? It was then that Jesus made a statement concerning his own death, using the grain of wheat dying in order to spring forth to bear much more grain: He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25).Philips request, Show us the Father brought forth a mild rebuke: Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? Isn't that just like us? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. We dont learn much about Philip from the synoptic gospels or Book of Actsin fact, pretty much all we learn is that hes always listed with Bartholomew. How do you know me? Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. This manifestation of divine knowledge sparks something in Nathanael. Barley is cheaper, so with one denari we could buy 20 barley biscuits, and if we get the small ones, and break them in half no it simply cannot be done. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. But there are several reasons why for centuries, many Christians have believed they were. Again let me say that it is probable that they were all friends or co-workers. Its culture was largely unrefined and uneducated. Come on along! Blind and dead in our sins, enemies of Godthat is our natural state. Think about it, If minimum wage is $5.50/hr x 40 hours x 33 weeks = $7260. Dont you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? John 14:610. Origin:Hebrew. Indeed, in the Sacrament of the Altar, heaven and earth come together. I know I shared with you in an earlier study how each time I minister on one of the apostles I see a little bit of my own character in each of them. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? This question may have been precipitated by the lack of culture, unpolished speech and moral laxity sometimes attributed to Nazareth. Matthew, Mark, and Luke give us no details about Nathaniel's background, character, or personality. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see!. The ugly. Instead he says "can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Apparently Philip was also in the wilderness with John the Baptist. So if you wanted to escape the noise and the stifling atmosphere the house, you could go outside and rest under the fig tree. These men were part of Jesus' inner group. Andrew responded to the situation and brought Jesus a boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. Acts 6:24. Here are the facts, you can only drawl one conclusion. So, yes, you do have something to tell others about, something absolutely exciting and joyful! Follow me, Jesus says to each one of us. Joel Ryanis an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. Or I know that you take your devotion time every day before you go to work to study the scriptures. They dont tell us much, but theyre all we really have to go on. Bartholomew is a Hebrew surname meaning "son of Tolmai.". As common tradesmen (possibly fishermen), their study of the Old Testament would have been something they had undertaken as both a hobby and a passion, not a profession. 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. -- His response to Jesus to follow him was without hesitation. In Nathanael, Christ had found a genuine and authentic believer. They had studied the Law of Moses and read the prophets. Thats why we invite people. There he is called, "Nathanael of Cana in Galilee.". Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wroteJesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. John 1:43-46, He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life., Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? Philip replied that it would take two hundred denari to buy bread enough to feed them (John 6:7). He didn't need to see any further proof. But why does John refer to his fellow disciple as Nathanael while the other gospel writers list him as Bartholomew? Apostles Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew . Let's see, one denari can buy 12 wheat biscuits. 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. In Johns gospel, the author mentions that Jesus had sought out Philip shortly after calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be His disciples (John 1:43). In John 6, we read the story and of the feeding of the 5000. In Church History Eusebius quotes Papias of Hierapolisa contemporary of the apostlesas saying that Philip was living in Hierapolis with his daughters. Their tomb is there, and that, too, of their father.. Like we sang earlier: Love that found mewondrous thought! His response, displays Nathaniel's character. He told them to free Bartholomew, but not to take him down. While its easy to gloss over this quick interaction, a few key insights into Nathanaels character can be gleaned from this verse. Philip found Nathanael and told him, We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wroteJesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nazareth! Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. Sir, they said, we would like to see Jesus. Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. John 12:2022. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. To challenge his friends blind bigotry, Philip responded with a simple invitation. He is the way and the truth and the life for everyone, include you. Now you dont have to dump the whole load in the first conversation, but you can at least say something, just like Philip did when he basically told Nathanael: We have found him, the one who makes all the difference in life.. Later they were present in the Upper Room in one accord, when the Holy Spirit, as promised, descended upon them and they were empowered to preach and witness in Jesus name.We dont know where Philip and Nathanael may have gone or what became of them at the end of their lives. we first meet Phillip the day after Jesus called Andrew, John, and Peter. And that was enough to convince Nathaniel that he was messiah. In John 1:46-50, Nathanael is introduced to Jesus for the first time. We have to remember that even though he had a Greek name, he was still a Jew and would have heard Jesus say that he was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Knowing Nathanaels heart, Jesus greeted His would-be disciple, not with chastisement or contempt, but rather, with a remarkable compliment of his character. This is where people will meet Jesus, their Savior, the author of life and the giver of salvation.
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