were philip and nathanael brothers
Its really saying the same thing. How well could you feed 5000 people? The cross of Christ is our Jacobs ladder. Think about it, If minimum wage is $5.50/hr x 40 hours x 33 weeks = $7260. Finding Philip, he said to him, Follow me. Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. In the synoptic gospels, the writers simply tell us these exchanges took place between Jesus and the disciples, and the dialogue cuts to the chase a little more. How can we get there., The disciples think theyre going to the Fathers house soon, and Jesus responds, If you really know me, you will know my Father as well., Philips basically trying to demonstrate his faith by saying, I dont even care about the details. Jesus was the son of a carpenter, unknown name, from a town that didn't have any connection to prophecy. Many believers came to Christ under his preaching. He knew his prejudice. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And Jacob called that place Beth-El, the house of God, the gate of heaven. Can anything good come from there? Nathaniel asked. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. . The good. They probably came to hear John the Baptist together. In Church History Eusebius quotes Papias of Hierapolisa contemporary of the apostlesas saying that Philip was living in Hierapolis with his daughters. Just like he finds us. He puts me right with God. Because this is where he has promised to be present. Now remember I just told you Jesus went to Phillip and said follow me, and then Phillip turns around and tells his buddy we found him. 50 Jesus said, You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. Imagine that, this is the first time Nathaniel meets Jesus and Jesus calls him a true Israelite without deceit. Some scholars speculate that Philip may have also been a disciple of John the Baptist, since: Before Jesus famously fed the crowd of more than 5,000 people, he decided to test Philip: When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Go and tell. Just short and sweet, Come and see. Philip doesnt engage Nathanael in a prolonged argument about the merits of Nazareth. I want you to notice the expression Phillip used when he told Nathaniel about Jesus. Hes also clearly one of the Twelve in the Gospel of John, though John never explicitly lists them.This means Philip was one of the people who was closest to Jesus, and that he spent about three years living with him, witnessing his miracles, and hearing his teachings. ",[4] but nonetheless, he accepts Philip's invitation to find out. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Jews in Jesus day looked down on the Galilean's. Philip and Nathanael were brothers as were Andrew and Peter. New International Version (NIV). We have found him! According to John, Nathaniel came from the small town of Cana in Galilee, the place where Jesus did his first miracle. Unless you looking for the shrine built upon the supposed location of where Jesus turned water into wine you probably wouldn't want to go there. Nathanael is described as initially being skeptical about whether the Messiah could come from Nazareth, saying: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth? We know this because when each of the Gospels lists the apostles they list Phillip and Nathaniel (or Bartholomew) together. Church tradition holds that Philip preached the gospel in Scythia (a region in central Eurasia), Syria, and Phrygia (Turkey). Let me just say a little about his name while you're turning there. Finding Philip,(A) he said to him, Follow me.(B), 44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, Here truly is an Israelite(J) in whom there is no deceit.(K). 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. Photo credit: Getty Images/Ascent/PKS Media Inc. Some traditions tell of Nathanael being flayed alive in Armenia. He should have said, "Lord, if you want to feed them, feed them." However Nathaniel was not impressed at first glance with Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Obviously Phillip knew that scripture was important to Nathaniel. The fact that people will meet Jesus here at St. Matthew Lutheran Churchthat is what this church is all about. Once again, through their example we can see that we too can use our gifts to become all that Jesus wants us to become. Joshua in the Old Testament, which means Yahweh is salvation, or as Matthew 1:21 records for he will save his people from their sins. It wouldnt taken long for him to get past his prejudice and acknowledge Jesus for who He really was. Wide open stand the gates!. These cookies do not store any personal information. Yes, Jesus is here, present in our midst. To challenge his friends blind bigotry, Philip responded with a simple invitation. He had witnessed creative and recreative miracles. Of course, this was not a racial or ethnic prejudice, as many Jews would have had for the Gentiles or, as we see from the disciples later in the gospels, the Samaritans. . Nathanaels name is never directly mentioned again in the New Testament. To be a leader, you have to have a sense of vision. Phillip, like the other apostles was a man of weak faith and imperfect understanding. Joel Ryanis an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. It is interesting to note how Andrew and John came to Christ through the faithful preaching of John the Baptist. Philips personality, led him to say, I don't think we can do that., 7 Philip answered him, Eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. Acts 6:24. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? You likewise may encounter objections when you start to tell someone about Jesus. Rabbit trail: 1 denari is equal to one day's wages. Nathaniel is also called Bartholomew, which is a Hebrew name meaning God has given". After all Nazareth didn't exist in the Old Testament. No one ever passed through Cana. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. Jesus cross is our Jacobs ladder. As Jesus predicted in John 1:51, they were present at the ascension of Jesus and saw heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. They were able to observe first-hand that Jesus is the bridge between earth and heaven. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. He reappears (as "Nathanael of Cana") at the end of John's Gospel, as one of the disciples to whom Jesus appeared at the Sea of Galilee after the Resurrection. John seems more interested in telling us who said what, and using Philips answer to set up Jesus miracle. Nathanael is the Hebrew of the Greek word Theodorus, God's gift. If you remember back to our study of Peter, Jesus didn't actually say follow me to Peter until the end of his earthly ministry (John 21:19) after his failure on the night of Jesus the trail. Furthermore, both Philip and Nathanael had studied the Word of God on their own. Jesus couldn't have known where I Nathaniel had been or what he had been doing and unless he had been omniscient. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. That's why Jesus asked Phillip where they could buy bread. What we know about Bartholomew/Nathanael comes primarily from the account of . Think of it this way: Think of where you would be without Jesus. John, however, refers to the apostle almost exclusively as Nathanael in his gospel. They were both disciples of John the Baptist who preached to Israel of the coming deliverer. 43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. This recalls the story of Jacobs ladder. Indeed, in the Sacrament of the Altar, heaven and earth come together. As a Bible scholar, he could have said, but wait, the messiah comes out of Bethlehem not Nazareth.. (Micah 5:2) or he could have said, But scripture tells us that he rules from Jerusalem, not Nazareth. His name means "God has given" in Hebrew. Did the fig tree reference indicate his occupation, as a fig-gatherer? Save 15% for life on BibleGateway+ with code SPRINGSTUDY15. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Philip was one of those people who could do math and his head. John writes, 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 1:45). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. After Philip finds Nathanael and tells him they have found the Messiah, the One who was promised in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, Nathanael makes his way to see this Jesus. (1) St John, who twice mentions the name of Nathanael, never mentions that of Bartholomew; (2) the three Synoptists mention Bartholomew but not Nathanael. Now was late in the day, and there were no fast food franchises. John's gospel is the only one that mentions a man named Nathanael, who appears to be an apostle (John 1:43-51).John also never mentions Bartholomew. And at the same time, our Lord calls us to follow him in faith. By his death on the cross, Jesus bridges the gap between us and God. Hes just pleasantly persistent, inviting Nathanael to find out for himself. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Bartholomew = son of Tolmai, probably to be identified with Nathanael. 48 How do you know me? Nathaniel asked. Let's see, one denari can buy 12 wheat biscuits. Who are you? From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Philip said, Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. Jesus answered: Dont you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Jesus questioned Philip about how they would feed the large multitude at the Sea of Galilee. So we know that like Philip, Andrew and Simon, Nathanael was from the region of Galilee, and specifically he was from the town of Cana. Jacob had a dream about a ladder running between heaven and earth. We know that Judas was in charge of the money, so it made sense that someone else would be in charge of coordination and distribution of meals and supplies. But when he saw the size of the crowd he began to feel overwhelmed by the impossible. I cant think of anything better. (Funny sound is heard to indicate traveling in time. Phillip doesn't like maybes. All rights reserved. Logos Bible Software 10 review: Do you REALLY need it? Wheres that? Or I know that you take your devotion time every day before you go to work to study the scriptures. Polycrates seems to have clearly blurred the two Philips, and Eusebius never caught the mistake. Nazareth on the other hand is at a crossroads. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Well, thats what happens now in Jesus. We put God in a box and when he doesn't respond the way we want him to, we demand miracles and signs that suit our image of what God should be and do. His answer shows us the contempt Nathaniel felt for the people of Nazareth. Nathaniel lived in a society that was prejudice by temperament. In this instance, Nathanaels prejudice was confronted with the obvious, observable, and undeniable truth of who Jesus was. [Jn 1:43] Philip is described as a disciple from the city of Bethsaida, and the evangelist connects him with Andrew and Peter, who were from the same town. It was Jesus who found Philip! James and John: the two sons of Zebedee, who were called next: Philip and Bartholomew; the latter of these is by some thought to be Nathanael. Does the we in Philips declaration mean that he, Andrew and Peter (who may have already known each other in Bethsaida) had found the Lord? Philip then probably went with Jesus and found Nathanael at or near Cana ( John 1:48 ). After this, Nathanael would return with the remaining apostles to the upper room in Jerusalem, joining with them in prayer as they selected Matthias as a replacement for Judas Iscariot, who had recently hung himself (Acts 1:12-26). 4 You know the way to the place where I am going., 5 Thomas said to him, Lord, we dont know where you are going, so how can we know the way?. Nathanael (Bartholomew) was called after Philip told him about the Lord. . Peoples ears are closed to the gospel by many kinds of prejudice. "Come and see," said Philip. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It's no doubt that this is where Nathaniel went to study the scriptures and pray. And this business about the angels of God ascending and descending? [1] "Come and see," said Philip. (Since Taco Bell wasnt an option.). In vs. 43 Jesus "found" (EdpltcKeL) Philip. The formal training of the 12 was over and yet their faith was still weak. Remember how the people of his hometown felt about him? You may meet resistance when you tell others that you have found Jesus and his gifts present here at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Its the story of Philip and Nathanael, how they came to be disciples and follow our Lord. John 1:35-46 "Come and See"Real Discipleship If you are going from Chicago to Indianapolis, you might travel through Merrillville. Not linked to together using the conjunction and like we see what the brothers Peter and Andrew or James and John. Nathanael is a boy's name of Hebrew origin that means "God has given." In the Bible, Nathanael came from Cana in Galilee and was an early follower of Jesus. But now pause and consider where you are because of Jesus. We can conclude that he interpreted it literally because it was so easy for him to believe that Jesus was the messiah. Cana itself is located only a few miles north of Jesus hometown in Nazareth and just a few miles west of Bethsaida, where Nathanaels good friend Philip was from (John 1:44). But maybe youll put it a different way, perhaps like this: I have found my Savior, and hes your Savior too. The ugly. He said we have found him. Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 48How do you know me? Nathanael asked. He was also present at the Day of Pentecost, where he and the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). Remember that? Phillip told Nathaniel about the messiah from the standpoint of the Old Testament prophecy. (C) 45Philip found Nathanael(D) and told him, We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law,(E) and about whom the prophets also wrote(F)Jesus of Nazareth,(G) the son of Joseph.(H). Because he had a Greek name. Cana wasn't a prestigious town. After Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John, he finds Philip: The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus response to him, 9 Jesus answered: Dont you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? It is interesting to see Jesus characterization of Nathaniel, 47 When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him, Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wroteJesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. John 1:43-46, He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life., Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? The Nathaniel was skeptical. Was it the right thing to do? No doubt Phillip had already begun counting heads. We dont learn much about Philip from the synoptic gospels or Book of Actsin fact, pretty much all we learn is that hes always listed with Bartholomew. You are the King of Israel!. Though flawed, Nathanael was as honest and sincere as they come, and for his eagerness and willingness to embrace Jesus as his lord and king, Christ performed a mighty work in his life, taking an ordinary man and turning him into an outspoken leader and pillar of His church. Phillip is the administrator -- the bean counter. Their tomb is there, and that, too, of their father.. He wanted to go by the book all the time. The first six disciples, then, were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, and Bartholomew. Jesus knew Nathanaels heart. In other words between all the disciples -- at least 12 of them and probably more like 70 -- all they had was eight months worth of a single laborers wages. But while the Judeans often looked down on the Galileans, it seems even the Galileans had a particular disdain for the rough, uncultured, and uneducated people of Nazareth. Add to that the legendary accounts from the Acts of Philip and Letter from Peter to Philip, and it becomes difficult to separate fact from fiction, too. Thomas says, We dont know where youre going. Cana is off the beaten track, sort of like the little town pastor lives in. The town was located on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee and meant house of fish.We know Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Your changed life, your verbal witness, your faith evident in your lifethis becomes a witness to others. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 2 In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. And yet James was the first to die, and John was the last. After all Jesus didn't fit his picture of the messiah. In the Gospel of John, Nathanael is introduced as a friend of Philip, from Bethsaida (1:43-44). Its the story of Philip and Nathanael: A Story of Witnessing. Now today let their story become your story also. It should be noted that James and John had the same father, Zebedee (Matthew 10:2) and Peter and Andrew were brothers (Matthew 10:2). Besides if Andrew got in trouble that would be Andrew's problem. What am I talking about? The earliest identification of Nathanael with one of the Twelve Disciples is found in the 2nd-century Epistula Apostolorum, where he is identified with or takes the place of James, son of Alpheus. Nathanael recognizes Jesus as "the Son of God" and "the King of Israel". Come and see, said Philip. John 1:4346. we first meet Phillip the day after Jesus called Andrew, John, and Peter. After all Nazareth was full of uncultured people. At the very least, Nathanael had become a close companion of Philip prior to meeting Jesus and had grown up in the same region as Peter, Andrew, James, John, and maybe even Thomas. Nazareth was the smallest, most unimportant town I could think of. Virtually everything we know about Nathaniel comes from Johns account of his call to discipleship in the wilderness shortly after Jesus is baptized. Did you see that Jesus sought Phillip out? It bears wonderful fruit and gives good shade. He is called Nathanael in John 1. Blind and dead in our sins, enemies of Godthat is our natural state. He immediately went to tell Nathanael that the Messiah had come. He was skeptical, analytical, pessimistic, and unsure. )Most scholars believe that either Papias was talking about Philip the Evangelist (due to the reference to his daughters) and using the term apostle more broadly, or else Papias confused the two. The Acts of Philip provides the earliest, most detailed account of his martyrdom, but again, its hard to say how much we can trust it. What have you found that you can tell others about? The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee and He found Philip and said to him, Follow Me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. However, this tradition largely originates with Acts of Philip, a dubious fourth-century text which intermingled true accounts with legends, including a narrative involving a dragon. Some people won't hear a minister of a different race. The Bible doesn't say Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. Youll remember that John the Baptist pointed Jesus out to Peter, Andrew and John and then and they approached Jesus. But Phillip didn't bring them to Jesus did he? But rather than just being casual readers, Philip and Nathanael had become passionate about the Word of God, even developing an interest in the prophecies of the promised Messiah. He would walk with Jesus during His subsequent forty days on earth, witness His miracle on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-8), eat breakfast with Jesus on the shores of Galilee (John 21:9-14), receive Christs great commission (Matthew 28:19-20), and observe Jesus final ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Barley is cheaper, so with one denari we could buy 20 barley biscuits, and if we get the small ones, and break them in half no it simply cannot be done. Apostles Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew . John relates the first, introductory meeting of Jesus with Andrew, John, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. [9], "John Wesley's Notes on the Gospel according to Saint John: Chapter 1", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nathanael_(follower_of_Jesus)&oldid=1149908118, This page was last edited on 15 April 2023, at 05:57.