INTRODUCTION
The authors of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) refer to the disciple connected with Philip as Bartholomew, whereas the Gospel of John only mentions a disciple named Nathaniel. Are these the names of two different men, or two names for the same man? Scholarly evidence suggests the latter. Bartholomew is an Aramaic name meaning “great.” Nathaniel is Hebrew for “God has given.” The Hebrew root, Nethanel, is found in cuneiform records. Ten leaders in Old Testament Israel bore the name: a brother of King David, various Levites and priests, with several noted for being trumpeters.
I. THE SEEKING NATHANIEL
Nathaniel was a native of Cana, the site of Christ’s first miracle turning water into wine, and a village not far from Nazareth. He, too, seems to have been a follower of John the Baptist and caught up in the Messianic fever of the times. Think of this young man as cautiously responsible, thoughtful, rather than skeptical. Nathaniel sought the shade of a fig tree as a refuge from the heat of the day and private place for quiet meditation and prayer. (Fig trees bear their fruit before leafing.) He pondered the familiar Messianic prophecies and messages of the “Wilderness Evangelist” John the Baptist. No doubt, he also reflected on the experiences of the patriarchs like Jacob fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau. Exhausted and alone, Jacob used a rock for a pillow and lay down to sleep. He dreamed of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven and on the ladder were many angels going up and down. Jacob beheld the Lord promising him the land, many descendants, and that the Lord would never leave him (Gen 28:10–22).
II. NATHANIEL FINDS JESUS
When Philip invited Nathaniel to meet “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45, NKJV), Nathaniel’s response is not as harshly callous as it sounds. He was not judging a neighboring village as an evil place, but rather commented on its petty insignificance. Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian of the era, listed two hundred towns in Galilee, but omits Nazareth, probably because it was inconsequential. Regardless, Nathaniel went with Philip. When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, the Lord declared, “An Israelite in whom is no deceit” (John 1:47, NIV). I like the way the New Living Translation states Christ’s words: “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity” (John 1:47, NLT). Jesus was not offended by the insinuation of Nathaniel about His heritage. He greeted him with a nice compliment that may have also included a little humor. Jews were descendants of Jacob, and Jacob was known for being a deceiver and liar. Not until after wrestling with the angel all night did Jacob make peace with God and have His name changed to Israel meaning “Prince with God” (Gen 32:22–32). So, the compliment paid to Nathaniel was in contrast to a harsh stereotype.
Nathaniel seemed awed by the banter and asked Jesus how he was known to Him. They had not met previously. Christ’s answer about seeing Nathaniel’s meditations under the fig tree some time earlier prompted Nathaniel’s bold declaration that Jesus was “the Son of God! . . . [and] the King of Israel!” (John 1:49, NKJV). Jesus often read men’s minds and knew the hidden secrets of their lives, thereby giving them evidence of His divinity (Mark 12:15; Luke 6:8; 9:47; 11:17; John 4:16–19; 8:7–9). Nathaniel’s acknowledgment that Jesus was divine opened his life to even greater spiritual fulfillment than he could have imagined. Jesus promised Nathaniel that he would see greater evidences than was just revealed (John 1:50).
III. LEARNING FROM NATHANIEL
The Bible reveals little about Bartholomew/Nathaniel’s life, but we can learn the following from him. Nathaniel was a sincere seeker after truth; he had a singleness of heart to know the Messiah; he knew the prophecies and wanted to be ready for His appearing. He spent time in a shaded sanctuary studying, meditating, and praying. When the Messiah came, he was spiritually ready. Nathaniel was not perfect, but Jesus knew his heart and saw in him great potential as a disciple. What does God see in us, and what would He say about our responses to Him? Are we seeking to know a living God, or only to acquire more religious knowledge (John 5:39; 17:3)?
The Bible depicts an all-powerful, allknowing, and all-seeing Deity. Unbelievers, unacquainted with either Scripture and/or experience with God, base their rejection of Christ and His church on unqualified impressions rather than studied facts. God is typically viewed as an angry judge and believers as pious hypocrites. Nothing could be farther from reality, at least as far as God is concerned. He says, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer 29:11, NKJV). His dealings with humanity are described like a father toward His children who knows their weaknesses and yet does not deal with them according to their sins (see Ps 103). God’s divine love sent His Son to save the world rather than condemn it (John 3:15–17). Jesus sees in you and me what He saw in Nathaniel; however, our response only begins or ends His work with us. Before we claim entitlement to divine blessings or rashly rush to join the Rabbi’s band of followers, we should carefully consider the commitment. Being prudent, like Nathaniel, is not wrong. Deciding about one’s destiny has everlasting outcomes.
IV. THE COSTS OF DISCIPLESHIP
There are costs involved in discipleship. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt 16:24, NKJV). The offer causes some to turn away sorrowfully like the rich young ruler did (Luke 18:18–23), while others confess Jesus is the Son of God as did Nathaniel. One famous religious author, Ellen G. White, advises we spend an hour daily under a “fig tree,” a private place of contemplation on the life and death of Jesus Christ.1 When humbly submissive to the leading of the Holy Spirit who guides us “into all truth” (John 16:13, NKJV), study of God’s Word and His holy law reveals God’s character and will for us. It empowers us spiritually and leads to positive changes for good, a victorious life of overcoming temptation. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim 3:16, NKJV). It discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). When obeyed, it keeps us from sinning (Ps 119:11). Even more important than righteous living, we discover Christ in us, dwelling in us (Col 1:27) and we become “a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17, NKJV).
CONCLUSION
Study of biblical prophecies gives hope and helps us prepare and be ready for the soon return of Christ. Many of the signs and events foretold have already come to pass, indicating our times are last days. Jesus warned, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt 24:44, NKJV; see also Matt 25:13). Jesus has gone to prepare a place where we can be with Him (John 14:1–3) that is beyond our imagination (1 Cor 2:9). As He told Nathaniel, heaven is opened. The “ladder” of Jacob’s vision is the cross of Christ that connects heaven to earth, God to humanity, and humanity to God. All the messages of the heavenly messengers (angels and prophets) point to Jesus as the means of entering paradise and being with the Lord eternally.
1 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1898), 83.
Gary R. Councell is a retired teacher, pastor, chaplain, and departmental director. Immediately prior to his retirement he was the director of the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
