Expository Thoughts
circumcision in the spirit as well as in the letter—an Israelite in heart, as well as a son of Jacob in the flesh.
Let us pray that we may be of the same spirit as Nathanael. An honest, unprejudiced mind—a child-like willingness to follow the truth, wherever the truth may lead us—a simple, hearty desire to be guided, taught, and led by the Spirit—a thorough determination to use every spark of light which we have—are a possession of priceless value. A man of this spirit may live in the midst of much darkness, and be surrounded by every possible disadvantage to his soul. But the Lord Jesus will take care that such a man does not miss the way to heaven. "The meek will he guide in judgment—and the meek will he teach his way." (Psalm 25:9.)
Technical Notes:
43. The day following Jesus would go forth to Galilee, and he found Philip and said to him, Follow me. 44. Now
Philip was from Bethasaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46. And Nathanael said to him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?
Philip said to him, Come and see. 47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48. Nathanael said to him, How do you know me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree,