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.
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Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
Nathanael saith unto him, whence knowest thou me?.... This he said as one surprised, that he, who was a stranger to him, should hit upon his general character, and describe the internal state and…
Barnes' Notes
Whence knowest thou me? - Nathanael was not yet acquainted with the divinity of Christ, and supposed that he had been a stranger to him. Hearing him express a favorable opinion of him, he naturally…
Adam Clarke
Whence knowest thou me? - He was not yet acquainted with the divinity of Christ, could not conceive that he could search his heart, and therefore asks how he could acquire this knowledge of him, or…
We have here the call of Philip and Nathanael.
I. Philip was called immediately by Christ himself, not as Andrew, who was directed to Christ by John, or Peter, who was invited by his brother. God has…
Cambridge Bible
under the fig tree This probably means -at home," in the retirement of his own garden (1Ki 4:25; Mic 4:4; Zec 3:10); the Greek implies motion tounder. Nathanael had perhaps been praying or meditating…
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