White Robed Monks of St. Benedict

Chapter 2
Nathanael under the fig tree
 (John 1:45-51)

John 1:45-51:
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith
unto him, We have found him, of
whom Moses in the Law, and the
Prophets, did write, Jesus of
Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

And Nathanael said 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.

Nathanael answered and said unto
him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God;
Thou art the King of Israel.

Jesus answered and said unto him,
because I said unto thee, I saw thee
under the fig tree, believest thou?
Thou shalt see greater things than these.

And he saith unto him, verily, verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

     Jesus Christ used the idiom in answer to the question of Nathanael of "How do you know me?" Under the fig tree refers to some women who have to work in the fields and have no help in caring for their babies. They place their child (or baby) under a fig tree for two reasons:          1. Shade of the fig tree to protect the
baby from the heat.
2.  The fig tree was a symbol of
prosperity and blessing, therefore
they believed that their child
would grow up into prosperity.

     Jesus wasn't talking about Nathanael sitting under a fig tree when Philip called him, but jesus received revelation from God as to him being placed under a fig tree when he was a baby. This convinced Nathanael that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

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