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John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

What does John 1:48 mean?

Explanation

John 1:48 captures a moment of personal interaction between Jesus and Nathanael (also thought to be Bartholomew in other Gospel accounts).

Nathanael is surprised that Jesus knows something about him without having met him before.

Jesus responds that He saw Nathanael under the fig tree even before Philip called him.

This reveals Jesus's supernatural knowledge and ability to see beyond the natural realm.

The fig tree may symbolize a place of meditation or study, implying that Jesus saw Nathanael in a moment of reflection or prayer, thus acknowledging his sincere seeking heart.

The deeper meaning here is the divine omniscience of Jesus, he knows his followers intimately and sees them even before they come to him.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This conversation takes place in the context of Jesus calling his first disciples.

Nathanael is initially skeptical about Jesus, questioning whether anything good can come from Nazareth.

The event likely takes place in the setting of first-century Judaism, where it was common for teachers or rabbis to attract disciples.

The reference to the fig tree may also carry significance, as fig trees were common in Israel and were associated with peace and prosperity.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, this verse has been interpreted to show several key attributes of Jesus.

It underpins his omniscience, as he demonstrates foreknowledge of Nathanael's actions and character.

It also exemplifies how Jesus fulfills the role of the Messiah who knows and calls his people by name.

Different Christian traditions interpret the verse as emphasizing Christ's divine nature and his relational approach to calling disciples.

Practical Applications

The verse can encourage believers to recognize that Jesus is aware of their situations and innermost thoughts.

It reassures them that they are seen and known by God even before they seek Him.

For daily life, it can inspire individuals to live with transparency and integrity, knowing that God's knowledge of them is complete and intimate.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
Psalm 139:1-4: "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off."

John 2:24-25: "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."

Language Study

Significant words in this verse are "knowest" (Greek: γινώσκω, ginōskō) meaning to know, recognize, or understand, and "saw" (Greek: εἶδον, eidon), a common verb for physical seeing but also for perception or awareness.

This indicates that Jesus's knowledge was not just an observation but an insightful understanding of Nathanael's character and state of being.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this to other cultural or religious narratives, one might consider figures such as the Oracle at Delphi in Greek mythology, known for her prophetic knowledge.

However, Jesus's knowledge differs from such mythological foresight in that it is personal, relational, and not reliant on mystical oracles or rituals.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse doesn't directly engage with scientific concepts.

However, discussions about consciousness, self-awareness, and perception are relevant to the text's implication of Jesus's deep understanding and awareness of individuals, subjects explored in cognitive science and psychology.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentators have seen in this verse a testament to Jesus's divine insight.

Matthew Henry's commentary suggests a reassurance that Jesus takes particular notice of those in privacy and solitude.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes the significance of the fig tree as a symbol of peace and the privacy of home.

John Calvin comments on the importance of this event in revealing the divinity of Christ to the disciples, particularly Nathanael.

These interpretations present a diverse but consistent view that John 1:48 is key in revealing Jesus's divine nature and intimate knowledge of his followers.

John 1

John 1

What does John 1:48 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 1:48 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?