Philip and Nathanael, Brothers, Disciples

“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. 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.’ And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ “ –John 1:43-46 [Read John 1: 43-51]

Philip and Nathanael were brothers as were Andrew and Peter. All four of these disciples of Jesus were from the town of Bethsaida. 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. Likewise, Philip, when Jesus called him, went to his brother Nathanael and said, “We have found Him” (meaning the Messiah foretold by Moses and the prophets). Does the “we” in Philip’s declaration mean that he, Andrew and Peter (who may have already known each other in Bethsaida) had found the Lord?

Nathanael was doubtful at first. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” This question may have been precipitated by the lack of culture, unpolished speech and moral laxity sometimes attributed to Nazareth. But the important fact is that Philip followed Jesus and he went immediately to invite his brother Nathanael to follow Him. After Nathanael’s initial hesitancy and question, and Jesus’ statement that He had seen Nathanael “under the fig tree” caused him to take notice of this Rabbi. Did the “fig tree” reference indicate his occupation, as a fig-gatherer?

Before Philip invited his brother, already Jesus had an intention of calling the young man. He paid him a high compliment: “An Israelite in whom is no guile!” Nathanael was already devout in the Jewish faith. Nathanael was willing to leave both job and long-held religious beliefs and follow Jesus.

Jesus questioned Philip about how they would feed the large multitude at the Sea of Galilee. Philip replied that it would take two hundred denari to buy bread enough to feed them (John 6:7). Philip the practical did not yet know the power of Jesus the miracle worker to multiply the five barley loaves and two fish Andrew found that the little boy was willing to share. Imagine the amazement of the disciples as they participated in this miracle and saw the crowd fed, with a dozen baskets left over from the overflow.

Philip was good about bringing people to Jesus. Not only had he introduced his brother Nathanael to Jesus, but when Gentiles came inquiring, he and Andrew went to Jesus for and answer. It was then that Jesus made a statement concerning his own death, using the grain of wheat dying in order to spring forth to bear much more grain: “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25).

Philip’s request, “Show us the Father” brought forth a mild rebuke: “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:8-9).

Philip and Nathanael were ordinary men with an extraordinary calling. Their association with the Lord made them disciples who learned from Him, but their faithfulness and commitment sent them forth as apostles to proclaim the good news that Jesus is Lord. They walked with Jesus while he was upon earth. 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. Later they were present in the Upper Room “in one accord,” when the Holy Spirit, as promised, descended upon them and they were empowered to preach and witness in Jesus name.

We don’t know where Philip and Nathanael may have gone or what became of them at the end of their lives. But we can assume that their commitment to Jesus was complete and that their lives counted in the spread of the gospel and the establishment of the church.

Prayer. Like the called out, Philip and Nathanael, may we, too be found faithful.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, March 10, 2010