John 1:48
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ναθαναήλ
Nathanael
G3482
Ναθαναήλ
Nathanael
Strong's:
G3482
Word #:
3 of 23
nathanal (i.e., nathanel), an israelite and christian
Πόθεν
Whence
G4159
Πόθεν
Whence
Strong's:
G4159
Word #:
4 of 23
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
γινώσκεις
knowest thou
G1097
γινώσκεις
knowest thou
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
6 of 23
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
7 of 23
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Πρὸ
Before
G4253
Πρὸ
Before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
13 of 23
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φίλιππον
that Philip
G5376
Φίλιππον
that Philip
Strong's:
G5376
Word #:
16 of 23
fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites
φωνῆσαι
called
G5455
φωνῆσαι
called
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
17 of 23
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
19 of 23
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 65:24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.John 2:25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.Matthew 6:6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Historical Context
Sitting under one's fig tree was a common metaphor for peace, security, and particularly Torah study (Micah 4:4, Zechariah 3:10). Rabbis often taught under trees. Jesus' knowledge of this private moment convinced Nathanael of Jesus' supernatural identity. The Lord knows our hidden devotion as well as our hidden sins.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' supernatural knowledge of Nathanael affect your understanding of Christ's omniscience?
- What 'fig tree' moments of private devotion might Jesus have witnessed in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Nathanael's astonished question—'Whence knowest thou me?'—exposes the supernatural nature of Jesus' knowledge. Jesus reveals He saw Nathanael 'under the fig tree' before Philip called him. This detail, unknown to any human witness, demonstrates divine omniscience. The fig tree may have been Nathanael's place of private prayer or Scripture meditation. Jesus sees into hidden places and knows us intimately before we know Him.