John 1:48 kjv

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.

John 1:48 nkjv

Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

John 1:48 niv

"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

John 1:48 esv

Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

John 1:48 nlt

"How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you."

John 1 verses

John 1 48 Meaning

John 1:48 recounts Nathanael's surprise at Jesus knowing him and Jesus' profound response. When Nathanael, having never met Jesus before, asks, "How do you know me?", Jesus replies by revealing a private, unobserved moment: "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." This simple statement carries immense theological weight. It serves as irrefutable evidence of Jesus' divine, omniscient knowledge, which extends beyond ordinary human perception. He sees not only the physical but also the hidden, private moments of a person's life, demonstrating His supernatural insight and establishing His authority as more than just a man.

John 1 48 Context

This verse is part of Jesus' initial gathering of His first disciples. Following the testimonies of John the Baptist (Jn 1:29-34) and the calling of Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip (Jn 1:35-44), Philip brings his friend Nathanael to Jesus. Nathanael, initially skeptical, expresses a culturally conditioned prejudice: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46). Despite his skepticism, Nathanael, a devout Jew ("an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit," Jn 1:47), accepts Philip's invitation to "come and see." Verse 48 directly follows Nathanael's initial encounter with Jesus, providing the pivotal moment that transforms his doubt into belief and a profound confession of Jesus' divine identity (Jn 1:49). The historical context reveals that private study under a fig tree was a common Jewish practice for meditation on the Torah or prayer, symbolizing peace, wisdom, and spiritual seclusion.

John 1 48 Word analysis

• Nathanael (Greek: Nathanael, from Hebrew: נְתַנְאֵל, Natan'el, meaning "God has given" or "gift of God"): This name suggests a divine connection. His character (an Israelite without deceit) is highlighted by Jesus just before this interaction.
• said to Him (εἶπεν αὐτῷ - eipo autō): Simple declarative, but expresses genuine surprise and challenge.
• “How do You know me?” (Πόθεν με γινώσκεις; - Pothen me ginōskeis?): "How" or "From where?" "Know" (γινώσκεις - ginōskeis) implies personal acquaintance or knowledge. Nathanael's question reveals his bewilderment, as he had no prior physical interaction or introduction to Jesus. It implies "How is it possible you know me, a stranger?"
• Jesus answered and said to him (Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ - Apekrithe Iēsous kai eipen autō): A direct and purposeful reply designed to reveal His unique identity.
• “Before Philip called you” (Πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι - Pro tou se Philippon phōnesai): This establishes a precise timeline, indicating that Jesus' knowledge predates any human introduction or common knowledge sharing. It underscores the supernatural nature of His knowing.
• “when you were under the fig tree” (ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν - onta hypo tēn syken): This is the critical detail. The "fig tree" held significant symbolism in Jewish thought. It represented a place of private meditation, quiet contemplation, study of Torah, prayer, or simply a secluded spot for personal reflection. To be "under the fig tree" suggested a private moment, possibly deeply spiritual, which only Nathanael himself, or God, would know about.
• “I saw you.” (εἶδόν σε - eidón se): This phrase is deceptively simple. This "seeing" is not mere physical observation; it implies divine omniscience. Jesus, though physically absent from Nathanael's location, supernaturally perceived his private moment. This "seeing" transcends the limits of space and time, demonstrating that Jesus possesses the attributes of God—all-knowing, omnipresent. It is a divine insight into the human heart and personal life, the very kind of knowledge attributed to the LORD in the Old Testament. The brevity and directness of this statement deliver the full weight of Jesus' divine perception.

John 1 48 Bonus section

The profound revelation by Jesus in John 1:48 highlights a recurring theme in the Gospel of John: the self-attestation of Jesus' divinity through His works and words. It’s not just about Jesus knowing a secret; it’s about this specific secret confirming Jesus' claim to be the God-Man. Nathanael's immediate, dramatic response in John 1:49 — "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" — shows the powerful and immediate effect of a genuine divine encounter. This rapid transformation of skepticism into profound confession serves as a prototype for faith development, emphasizing that true belief often stems from recognizing Christ's supernatural attributes. The "fig tree" could also be seen as a metaphorical Israel, where devout individuals hoped for the coming Messiah, adding another layer to Jesus’ intimate knowledge of Nathanael's expectations.

John 1 48 Commentary

John 1:48 marks a pivotal moment in Nathanael's journey from skepticism to faith. Jesus, aware of Nathanael's initial prejudice (Jn 1:46) and his honest character (Jn 1:47), bypasses any lengthy persuasion and instead offers irrefutable evidence of His divine nature. By revealing a specific, private, and unobserved detail about Nathanael's life – his time "under the fig tree" before Philip called him – Jesus demonstrates not just knowledge, but supernatural insight. This wasn't something Philip could have told Him; it was a revelation that pointed to Jesus' pre-existent, omniscient nature. The fig tree likely signifies a moment of personal prayer or spiritual reflection for Nathanael, making Jesus' "seeing" of this moment even more impactful. It signifies Jesus knows one's truest, most hidden self, which directly validates Nathanael’s honest nature (v.47) and prepares him for his profound confession in verse 49, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. It serves as a personal example of Christ's ability to truly know each individual, drawing them into His fold not by force but by self-revelation.

For example, this reveals that Jesus knows our secret prayers, our private struggles, and our sincere longings, even when we feel completely alone or unseen by others. His knowledge brings comfort, validating our unspoken devotion.