In today's episode of The Chosen, we'll see one possible scenario explaining what was happening with Nathanael. So, although John doesn't really explain to us what Jesus is referring to when he tells Nathanael that he saw him under the fig tree, this might be another instance of Jesus seeing into someone's soul. For example, when he meets the Samaritan Woman at the Well, he knows everything about her past failures with men. In the Gospel of John, which this story is from, we often see how Jesus knows the hearts and minds of others - and especially their struggles with sin. He goes from being unimpressed because Jesus comes from the podunk town of Nazareth to giving a bold confession of belief in Jesus. That might be one layer of what's happening, but it's hard to see why that would have impressed Nathanael as much as it did. So maybe Jesus mentions the fig tree to hint at how, as the Chosen Messiah, he will bring flourishing to God's Kingdom.
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For example, during the height of King Solomon's rule, the Bible tells us: "Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon" (1 Kings 4:25 ESV).
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Some Bible interpreters have pointed out that fig trees were associated with seasons when Israel flourished under the rule of a good king. This is actually a question that has baffled Bible readers and interpreters for many years. 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 toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered 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 said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:43-51 ESV) He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
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The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.