John 1:48

⁴⁶ “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

⁴⁹ “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
KJV: 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.
WEB: 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.”
ASV: 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.
DARBY: Nathanael says to him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.
BLB: Nathanael says to Him, “From where do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip calling you, being under the fig tree, I saw you.”

ÅB: Jesus så Natanael komme bortimot seg, og sa om ham: Se, det er en ekte israelitt, som det ikke er svik i.
OTB: “Hvor kjenner du meg fra?” spurte Natanael. Jesus svarte, “Jeg så deg mens du ennå var under fikentreet, like før Filip kalte på deg.”
B1930: [DNB30: 49] Natanael sa til ham: Hvor kjenner du mig fra? Jesus svarte og sa til ham: Før Filip kalte på dig, mens du var under fikentreet, så jeg dig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 65:24
Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Read in context
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Read in context
Psalms 139:1–2
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
Read in context
John 2:25
He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
Read in context
Revelation 2:18–19
To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze.
Read in context
Genesis 32:24–30
So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 14:25
and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
Read in context
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Read in context