John 1:47-51

⁴⁷When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." ⁴⁸"How do You know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." ⁴⁹Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." ⁵⁰Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." ⁵¹He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Jesus and Nathanael. Nathanael accepts Phillip’s invitation to come and see, though perhaps reluctantly. And Jesus sees him coming and pronounces that he is “a true Israelite;” Jesus introduces a surprising chasm here: Some Jews are true Israelites and some are not. Jesus defines for us what makes a “true Israelite:” one in whom there is nothing false, or no deceit. And of course, that definition sheds abundant light on the later conflicts that Jesus has with the Jewish leadership, in whom there is much deceit and falsehood. In this definition, we are also given an understanding of what it means to live the Christian lifestyle: integrity of heart before God, and uprightness before men. And that is fitting, because, as we will later read in John, the devil is a liar or deceiver, the father of lies and deceit. Furthermore, calling Nathanael an “Israelite” might have recalled thoughts of Jacob, the first “Israelite,” and Nathanael will be promised an experience like Jacob’s dream in v51.

Jesus’ statement regarding Nathanael’s uprightness was meant not to flatter him, but rather to liven the conversation and draw from Nathanael this question, “How do You know me?” And now Jesus is in prime position to show him that He is the Messiah. Jesus’ response, “I saw you under the tree before Phillip called you,” does not yield the possibility of knowing Nathanael’s heart, and Nathanael gets that. Nathanael knew by Jesus’ response that He did not see him as I see you, but by a look truly divine. Only by virtue of seeing Nathanael’s heart could Jesus claim his uprightness. That realization leads him to conclude that Jesus is not only the Christ, which is what Phillip had already told him, but also that Jesus the Son of God and the King of Israel, who did not at that moment speak as a mere man, but as God. Nathanael’s statement is remarkable, as by grace and despite spending no time with Jesus, he exhibits faith not simply in a Jesus, but in the Jesus who is exercising His offices of Prophet, Priest (Redeemer / Mediator), and King. Nathanael knew from the Old Testament that Jesus was King of Israel, but we know that He is King of God’s Israel and the whole earth, even all creation.

Lastly, Jesus approving of Nathanael’s faith, promises to him and to others that He will confirm the truth of Nathanael’s confession by many stronger arguments than that which caused Nathanael to believe. The proof for Nathanael was that Jesus saw him under the fig tree and knew his heart. That’s an individual episode, but Jesus promises greater things that would be common for and to all, and thus, instead of addressing Nathanael personally, Jesus turns to address everyone nearby.

Jesus and Jacob’s ladder. Jesus’ image of Jacob’s ladder suggests several things: First, heaven is opened for those in Christ. We have access to the Father through the Son and by the Spirit. Second, we see examples of times when God’s people saw this image become a reality in Scripture: Stephen (Acts 7:55), the three disciples on the mountain (Matthew 17:5), and the other disciples at Christ’s ascension (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9). Third, what was prefigured in Genesis 28:10-16 was fulfilled in Christ. Fourth, angels are said to ascend and descend, so as to be ministers of God’s kindness towards those in Christ – thus angels are ascending and descending ON the Son of Man; and therefore this mode of expression points out the mutual intercourse which exists between God and men. With and in and through Christ, angels have a friendly care to help us. Without Christ the angels have rather a deadly enmity against us. Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man – His favorite self-title from Daniel 7:13.

Calvin concludes, “In short, this [verse] teaches us, that though the whole human race was banished from the kingdom of God, the gate of heaven is opened to [those in Christ], so that we are fellow-citizens of the saints, and companions of the angels (Ephesians 2:19), and that they, having been appointed to be guardians of our salvation, descend from the blessed rest of the heavenly glory to relieve our distresses.”

John reveals two important and foundational truths in this passage: First, Jesus is the Lamb of sacrifice who conquers in glory as was expected; but He does so by laying down His life as a ransom for many (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), which was not expected though should have been. Second, that Jesus is the Christ is a well-testified-to fact. It’s not an obscure statement made by a lone radical. It’s a well-understood statement made by MANY. Thus, we may run with certainty and confidence to Jesus, finding in Him salvation for our souls.