4.4 Philip and Nathanael
Nathanael: From Doubt to Faith

Read John 1:43–46. What does Philip’s message already reveal about his faith in Jesus?

In John 1:43–46, Philip already reveals his deep faith in Jesus. When he tells Nathanael about Jesus, he calls Him “the one about whom Moses and the prophets wrote,” indicating that Philip recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. This recognition attests that Philip had a fundamental understanding of Scripture and was expecting the Messiah. Nevertheless, he remains simple and direct by also referring to Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth.” This precise designation emphasizes that Jesus is not only a heavenly figure but also a man with a specific background.

Prejudice and Faith      

Nathanael’s prejudice against Nazareth, a small and seemingly insignificant town, highlights how easily prejudices can distort the perception of truth. For Nathanael, it was unimaginable that the promised Messiah could come from such a humble place as Nazareth. This serves as a reminder of how often our preconceived opinions and ideas prevent us from recognizing God’s truth.

The Simple Invitation: “Come and See!”

Philip’s response to Nathanael’s skepticism is remarkably simple and wise. Instead of engaging in a theological debate or directly refuting Nathanael’s prejudice, Philip simply invites him: “Come and see!” This invitation shows that the true way to overcome doubts and prejudices lies in a personal encounter with Jesus. Philip had already experienced who Jesus is and trusted that a direct encounter would also reveal the truth to Nathanael.

Significance for Our Lives

This encounter teaches us that faith is not always about complex arguments or proofs. Often, the greatest power lies in inviting others to have their own experience with Jesus. Like Philip, we should help others lay aside their own prejudices and doubts by encouraging them to “see” Jesus personally—through studying Scripture, prayer, and living out their faith. It is a call to be humble and open so that God’s truth can penetrate our lives and the lives of others.

Philip shows us that true faith is not just based on understanding, but on the willingness to lead others to the truth by inviting them to encounter Jesus.

Read John 1:47–51. How does Jesus convince Nathanael of who He is, and how does Nathanael respond?

In John 1:47–51, we see how Nathanael responds to his friend Philip’s invitation, despite his initial skepticism about Jesus. He overcomes his prejudice against Nazareth and decides to meet Jesus personally. This decision marks a turning point in his life, for through this encounter, Jesus reveals something that deeply touches and convinces Nathanael.

The Revelation by Jesus

When Nathanael approaches Jesus, Jesus speaks to him in an astonishingly positive tone and calls him “an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (John 1:47). This surprises Nathanael, who had previously regarded Jesus dismissively. Instead of reprimanding Nathanael for his earlier doubts, Jesus meets him with understanding and recognizes Nathanael’s sincerity. Jesus points out that He has already seen Nathanael “under the fig tree,” implying a private, possibly deep spiritual experience. This reveals Jesus’ divine insight and shows Nathanael that Jesus knows him better than he himself was aware.

Nathanael’s Reaction: Faith and Confession

This simple statement—that Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree—is enough to convince Nathanael of Jesus’ identity. Nathanael suddenly realizes that he is dealing with someone who possesses divine knowledge, and his initial skepticism gives way to deep faith. He responds with an impressive confession: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49). This is a powerful profession of faith, showing how quickly and completely Nathanael was convinced by Jesus.

Significance for Our Faith Life

Nathanael’s experience reminds us that Jesus knows us deeply even before we truly know Him. Often, a seemingly small revelation—a personal encounter or a moment when we sense His presence—is enough to lead us to deeper faith. Jesus meets us with understanding, even when we have doubts or prejudices, and reveals Himself in moments when we least expect it. Like Nathanael, we are called to lay aside our prejudices and be open to the encounter with Jesus that can change our lives.

This story also shows that it is often the personal, intimate moments—like the experience under the fig tree—that deepen our relationship with God and lead us to a stronger profession of faith.

The story of Philip and Nathanael, as described in John 1:43–51, shows us many parallels to our faith life and how we can respond to God’s invitation in daily life. It illustrates how doubts and prejudices often stand in our way, but also how a personal encounter with Jesus can transform our lives.

1. Overcoming Prejudices

Nathanael begins his journey with prejudices—he doubts that anything good can come from Nazareth. In our daily lives, we often encounter situations or people that we quickly judge based on prejudices or preconceived opinions. This story reminds us how important it is to open our hearts and lay aside these prejudices. Often, it is only through openness to experience new things that we can truly recognize God’s truth.

2. Invitation to Encounter

Philip’s simple and wise response to Nathanael, “Come and see!”, shows us that faith is not always strengthened through debates or evidence, but through the invitation to encounter Jesus personally. In our daily lives, we should be ready to invite others to a personal experience with Jesus, whether through Bible study, prayer, or sharing about our faith. This invitation is more powerful than any argument because it brings faith to a personal level.

3. The Personal Encounter with Jesus

Nathanael’s skepticism disappears when he meets Jesus and realizes that Jesus already knows him. This realization—that Jesus saw him under the fig tree—becomes a turning point. In our lives, there are such moments when we sense that Jesus knows us, our struggles, our prayers, and our hearts. These personal moments with Jesus can profoundly change our relationship with Him and strengthen our faith.

4. Growth in Faith

Nathanael’s reaction shows that even small revelations—like the mention of the fig tree—can lead to deep faith. In our faith lives, we often experience similar moments where small but significant revelations about God’s presence and guidance deeply move us. These experiences challenge us to lay aside our doubts and hold firmly to Jesus with renewed conviction.

Conclusion

This story reminds us that faith is a journey shaped by personal encounters with Jesus. Like Nathanael, we are often skeptical, but when we are willing to meet Jesus in our lives, even the smallest revelations can profoundly change our faith. We are called to be open, lay aside our prejudices, and invite others into similar encounters with Jesus. This way, our faith life grows daily and leads to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Be open to God’s guidance, for often the greatest revelations lie in the smallest encounters with Him.

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