Calling of Philip and Nathanael
John 1:43-51
John.1.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- επαυριον: ADV
- ηθελησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εξελθειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Γαλιλαιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ευρισκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Φιλιππον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Ακολουθει: NOUN,nom,sg,m+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
Parallels
- John 1:35-42 (structural): Immediate earlier call-scene in the same chapter: Jesus’ first disciples are summoned and respond, providing the Johannine context for Jesus’ calling of Philip.
- Matthew 4:18-22 (verbal): Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew with the imperative 'Follow me,' and they immediately leave their nets—parallels the summons and prompt response.
- Mark 1:16-20 (verbal): Parallel Synoptic account of the calling of the first disciples using the same 'Follow me' formula and immediate discipleship motif.
- Luke 5:27-28 (thematic): Luke’s account of calling Levi/Jesus’ call to leave former life and follow him echoes the theme of decisive response to Jesus’ summons.
- John 21:19-22 (verbal): Post‑resurrection Jesus again instructs Peter 'Follow me,' echoing the Johannine motif of personal summons to discipleship found in John 1:43.
Alternative generated candidates
- The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."
- The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, 'Follow me.'
John.1.44 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Φιλιππος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- Βηθσαιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πολεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Ανδρεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Πετρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- John 12:20-21 (verbal): Explicitly identifies Philip as being 'from Bethsaida of Galilee,' repeating the same origin statement about Philip found in John 1:44.
- Luke 9:10 (structural): Reports that Jesus and the apostles withdrew to a town called Bethsaida, locating key ministry activity in the same town associated with Andrew, Peter, and Philip.
- Mark 8:22 (structural): Relates a healing that takes place in Bethsaida, underscoring the town's role as a setting for Jesus' works and its presence in the Gospel narrative.
- Matthew 11:21 (cf. Luke 10:13) (thematic): Jesus pronounces judgment on Bethsaida for unrepentance despite mighty works, thematically connecting to John 1:44 by highlighting the town's significance in the ministry and fate of Jesus' contemporaries.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and of Simon.
- Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
John.1.45 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ευρισκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Φιλιππος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ναθαναηλ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Ον: PRON,dat,sg,m+PRON,acc,sg,m
- εγραψεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- Μωυσης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- προφηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ευρηκαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιωσηφ: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- Ναζαρετ: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:15 (quotation): Moses' promise of 'a prophet like me' — Philip's formula 'what Moses in the Law... and the prophets wrote' echoes this explicit Mosaic prophecy about a coming prophet.
- Acts 3:22-23 (quotation): Peter cites Deut 18:15–19 and applies it to Jesus, paralleling Philip's appeal to Moses and the prophets as pointing to Jesus.
- John 5:46 (verbal): Jesus says 'If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me' — a direct Johannine affirmation of the same claim Philip makes about Moses writing of Jesus.
- Matthew 2:23 (allusion): Matthew records that Jesus 'shall be called a Nazarene' and treats this as fulfillment of the prophets — connects with Philip's identification 'Jesus of Nazareth' and the claim that the prophets pointed to him.
Alternative generated candidates
- Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
- Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'
John.1.46 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Ναθαναηλ·Εκ: NOUN,voc,sg,m+PREP
- Ναζαρετ: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Φιλιππος·Ερχου: NOUN,nom,sg,m+VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ιδε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- John 7:52 (allusion): Expresses the same regional prejudice: 'Search and see, for out of Galilee arises no prophet'—echoes Nathanael's skepticism about anything good coming from Nazareth.
- Micah 5:2 (thematic): Scriptural expectation that the Messiah comes from Bethlehem contrasts with Nathanael's surprise at Nazareth, highlighting tensions about the Messiah's unexpected origins.
- John 1:39 (verbal): Philip's invitation 'Come and see' parallels the earlier Johannine invitational formula used to bring others to Jesus (same Greek phrase and purpose).
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (thematic): God's choice of David from humble Bethlehem and Samuel's warning not to judge by outward appearance parallels the theme of underestimating persons or places (Nazareth) based on externals.
- Isaiah 53:2 (thematic): The Servant's humble, unimpressive origins and appearance ('no form or comeliness') resonate with the motif that greatness can emerge from lowly, despised origins such as Nazareth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
- Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'
John.1.47 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειδεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ναθαναηλ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ερχομενον: VERB,pres,mid,part,acc,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- περι: PREP
- αυτου·Ιδε: PRON,gen,3,sg,m+INTJ
- αληθως: ADV
- Ισραηλιτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- John 1:48 (structural): Immediate continuation of the pericope — Jesus' knowledge of Nathanael ('I saw you under the fig tree') develops the claim that Nathanael is a true Israelite without guile.
- Matthew 9:4; Luke 5:22 (thematic): Both passages show Jesus perceiving the unspoken thoughts/hearts of people; parallels John 1:47's emphasis on Jesus' insight into Nathanael's inner character.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (thematic): God (and by extension Jesus) judges the heart rather than outward appearance — parallels Jesus' appraisal of Nathanael as a genuine, guileless Israelite.
- Genesis 27 (allusion): Jacob (renamed Israel) is associated with deception in this narrative; calling Nathanael an 'Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile' sets up a contrast/allusion to the patriarchal motif of Israel and deceit.
- Matthew 23:27-28 (thematic): Jesus' denunciation of outward religiosity and inner hypocrisy contrasts with the description of Nathanael as a true Israelite 'without guile' — highlighting authenticity versus hypocrisy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
- Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!'
John.1.48 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Ναθαναηλ·Ποθεν: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- γινωσκεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Προ: PRON,dat,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- Φιλιππον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- φωνησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- οντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- υπο: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συκην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
Parallels
- Psalm 139:1-4 (thematic): God’s intimate knowledge of a person’s inner life and hidden actions—'You know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts'—echoes Jesus’ ability to see Nathaniel in a private place.
- Mark 2:8 (thematic): Jesus perceives the unspoken thoughts of others ('Jesus, knowing in his spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves…'), paralleling Jesus’ immediate and supernatural knowledge of Nathaniel’s location.
- John 4:29 (thematic): The Samaritan woman’s report that Jesus 'told me all that I ever did' parallels the effect of Jesus’ disclosure of Nathaniel’s private situation—knowledge of hidden things prompting recognition of Jesus’ identity.
- John 2:24-25 (verbal): John’s summary that Jesus 'did not commit himself to them, because he knew all people' (he knew what was in man) closely parallels the Johannine theme here of Jesus’ discerning knowledge of persons and their private circumstances.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nathanael asked him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree I saw you."
- Nathanael asked him, 'How do you know me?' Jesus answered him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree I saw you.'
John.1.49 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Ναθαναηλ·Ραββι: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 16:16 (verbal): Peter's confession 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God' parallels Nathanael's identification of Jesus as Son of God and Messiah/King of Israel.
- John 1:34 (verbal): John the Baptist's testimony 'This is the Son of God' echoes Nathanael's proclamation and reinforces the Johannine theme of recognizing Jesus' true identity.
- Psalm 2:7 (allusion): The royal‑son language ('You are my Son') and messianic kingship in Psalm 2 underlie the combined titles 'Son of God' and 'King of Israel,' linking Jesus to Israel's royal‑messianic expectations.
- John 6:69 (thematic): A parallel Johannine confession ('We have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God') similarly ascribes divine/messianic status to Jesus, showing consistent responses to his identity in John.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
- Nathanael answered him, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.'
John.1.50 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Οτι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ειπον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- οτι: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- υποκατω: ADV
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- συκης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πιστευεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μειζω: ADJ,comp,nom,sg,m
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- οψη: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- John 1:48 (structural): Immediate link in the same exchange — Jesus' prior statement that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree, which prompts Nathanael's response and Jesus' question about belief.
- John 1:51 (verbal): Direct continuation of 1:50 — Jesus promises Nathanael he will 'see heaven opened' and angels ascending/descending, the 'greater things' Jesus promises.
- John 14:12 (verbal): Same comparative formula about 'greater things/works' to be seen or done by believers, echoing the theme of future, greater revelation or action.
- Genesis 28:12 (allusion): Jacob's vision of a ladder with angels ascending and descending — background imagery for Jesus' promise in 1:51 that Nathanael will see angels, making 1:50–51 an allusion to Genesis.
- Micah 4:4 (thematic): The fig tree as a symbol of peace/security and personal encounter ('sit under his vine and fig tree'); background for the significance of Jesus' having seen Nathanael 'under the fig tree.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these."
- Jesus answered him, 'Because I told you I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.'
John.1.51 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Αμην: PRON,dat,3,sg + INTJ
- αμην: PART
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οψεσθε: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ουρανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ανεωγοτα: VERB,perf,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αγγελους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αναβαινοντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- καταβαινοντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 28:12 (allusion): Jacob’s dream of a ladder with angels ascending and descending between heaven and earth — the explicit Old Testament background John alludes to, recast in Jesus as the point of contact between heaven and earth.
- Daniel 7:13-14 (thematic): The figure “one like a son of man” who comes with the clouds and receives dominion — provides the background for calling Jesus the Son of Man and associating him with heavenly authority and access.
- Mark 1:10-11 (cf. Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 3:21-22) (verbal): “The heavens were opened” at Jesus’ baptism and the Spirit descended — similar language of an opened heaven signifying divine revelation and heavenly presence in Jesus’ ministry.
- Matthew 4:11 (cf. Luke 22:43) (thematic): Angels ministering to Jesus (after the temptation, and attending him in Luke’s account) parallels the motif of angels serving/attending the Son of Man in John’s saying.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
- And he said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.'
The next day Jesus determined to go into Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
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."
Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered him, "Because I told you I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."