Matthew Henry Commentary John 1:43-51

"On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." — John 1:43-51 (ASV)

See the nature of true Christianity: it is following Jesus, devoting ourselves to Him, and walking in His steps. Observe the objection Nathanael made. All who desire to benefit from the word of God must beware of prejudices against places or denominations. They should examine for themselves, and they will sometimes find good where they expected none.

Many people are kept from the ways of religion by the unreasonable prejudices they hold. The best way to remove false notions of religion is to experience it. In Nathanael there was no guile. His profession was not hypocritical.

He was not a dissembler nor dishonest; he was a person of integrity, a truly upright, godly man. Christ knows what people truly are. Does He know us? Let us desire to know Him. Let us seek and pray to be Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile; truly Christians, approved by Christ Himself.

Some things weak, imperfect, and sinful are found in all, but hypocrisy does not belong to a believer's character. Jesus witnessed what took place when Nathanael was under the fig tree. Probably he was then in fervent prayer, seeking direction regarding the Hope and Consolation of Israel, where no human eye observed him. This showed Nathanael that our Lord knew the secrets of his heart.

Through Christ we commune with and benefit from the holy angels; and things in heaven and things on earth are reconciled and united.