John 1:43-51

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(Dec0809)

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Primary texts (Pseudepigrapha, Targum, Midrash, Targum) about Messianic Expectation from (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
  • "Jesus and Nathanael," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • V, 12-20; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • III.XI.6, IV.IX.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • VI.14, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XXI, Chapter XXIII, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • I.7, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • I.XLVIII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • X.1, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • From Augustine's Tractates on John: Tractate VII (1:34-51).
    • "We must inquire whether this fig-tree signifies anything. Listen, my brethren. We find the fig-tree cursed because it had leaves only, and not fruit. [3] In the beginning of the human race, when Adam and Eve had sinned, they made themselves girdles of fig leaves.[4] Fig leaves then signify sins. Nathanael then was under the fig-tree, as it were under the shadow of death."
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "God uses the good endeavours of the unlearned such that he makes them teachers of the learned."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "See the nature of true Christianity, it is following Jesus; devoting ourselves to him, and treading in his steps."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? - How cautiously should we guard against popular prejudices? When these had once possessed so honest a heart as that of Nathanael, they led him to suspect the blessed Jesus himself for an impostor, because he had been brought up at Nazareth."
  • An Israelite Indeed (John 1:47). Sermon by John Wesley.
    • "But let the humble, gentle, patient love of all mankind, be fixed on its right foundation, namely, the love of God springing from faith, from a full conviction that God hath given his only Son to die for my sins; and then the whole will resolve into that grand conclusion, worthy of all men to be received: 'Neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith that worketh by love.'"
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The key to this great saying [vs 51] is Jacob's vision (Ge 28:12-22), to which the allusion plainly is. To show the patriarch that though alone and friendless on earth his interests were busying all heaven, he was made to see 'heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon a' mystic 'ladder reaching from heaven to earth.' 'By and by,' says Jesus here, 'ye shall see this communication between heaven and earth thrown wide open, and the Son of man the real Ladder of this intercourse.'..."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Nathanael, who had never met Jesus before, was surprised to hear himself spoken of as one known."
  • "Found by Jesus, and Finding Jesus," John 1:43-45, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1894.
    • "For a soul to come to Jesus, is the grandest event in its history."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, John 1:43-51, Stephen Hultgren, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • John 1:43-51, Proper 2B, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Come and See," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "How do you feel about talking to your brother/sister about Christ?"
  • John 1:43-51 The Beginning of the Good News: the Epiphany Gospels in Mark and John, Paul S. Berge, Texts in Context, Word & World, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1997.
  • Exegetical Notes, 2 Epiphany / St. Bartholomew, by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "Nathanael makes a good, orthodox confession: "You are the son of God. You are the King of Israel." However, Jesus questions why he believes. It is not enough just to say the right words or experience something miraculous (Jesus' supernatural knowledge). These things are just the beginning of following Jesus. He (and us?) will see even greater things."  
  • "First Thoughts on Passages from Mark in the Lectionary: Epiphany 2," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Then messianic acclamations will only make sense if they are transposed into a new key where the tune they play is about the Son who came to make the Father known, to offer light and life and truth and build a community a love. That is the melody which keeps repeating itself in John and is the essence of John’s critical theology of spirituality. Acclamations only mean something when they mean this."
  • "Preaching the Lesson," Tom Steagald, Lectionary Homiletics free sample.
    • "Jesus, the "token" as Chesterton called him, has not only broken the bonds of eternity; given time and opportunity he will lovingly break the bonds and cure the blindness of all who answer his call."
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 1:43-51, David Ewart.
    • "I believe the keys in understanding this passage are, on the one hand, to NOT treat it as simply a story of how Nathaniel met Jesus; nor, on the other hand, to get all mystical and obscure."
  • Join the Feast, John 1:43-51, Jarrett and Meg Peery McLaughlin, Union PSCE, 2009.
    • "Being a disciple is not simply being in the company of Jesus, it is an active recognition of Jesus’ identity."
  • "A Word and a Calling," Susan B.W. Johnson, 2005.
    • "Cyril wrote his prebaptismal lesson for his catechumens, whom he called "photizomenoi" (those being enlightened). He vividly describes the assurance with which the word of the Lord works -- even on those who know but do not yet know."
  • Sermon Preparation Thoughts and Questions by Wesley White, 2006.
  • "Exegetical Considerations," Epiphany 2, Richard Carlson, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Using Greek for Sunday Text Preparations.
    • "What is this text saying about intentional missional outreach by the church in the 21st century?"
  • Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Nathanael literally asks, from where (povqen) do you know me? And Jesus answers, 'from under the fig tree.'"
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
    • "Heaven can open, & angels ascend & descend, in many kinds of ways, even today! Inside church & out. Faith in Jesus isn't an up-there compared with down-here thing."
  • "Come and See," Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
    • "Jesus was very purposeful about going to the nobodies in the middle of nowhere.  As his followers, are we?"
  • "Philip and Nathanael," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Come and See," James T. Dennison Jr., in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed).
    • "The theophany at Bethel (Gen. 28: 10-22) is the background to the ladder imagery of Jn. 1:51."
  • John 1:47-51, Saint Michael and All Angels, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
• Articles & Background:
  • "How to Be a Disciple," Dallas Willard. Adapted from The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our Hidden Life in God. Reprinted in The Christian Century, 1998. At Religion OnLine.
    • "Being a disciple or apprentice of Jesus is a definite and obvious kind of thing. To make a mystery of it is to misunderstand it."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Berge, Paul S., "The Beginning of the Good News: The Epiphany Gospels in Mark and John," Word & World, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gomes, Peter J., "John 1:45-51," Interpretation, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hill, C.E., "The Identity of John's Nathanael," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Johnson, Susan B.W., "A Word and a Calling," The Christian Century, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kim, Stephen S., "The Relationship of John 1:19-51 to the Book of Signs in John 2-12," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Koester, Craig R., "Messianic Exegesis and the Call of Nathanael (John 1:45-51)," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • O'Neill, J.C., "Son of Man, Stone of Blood (John 1:51)," Novum Testamentum, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Painter, John, "Quest Stories in John 1-4," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Walker, William O., "John 1:43-51 and the 'Son of Man' in the Fourth Gospel," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Willson, Patrick J., "Come and See," The Christian Century, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "Nazareth," Jeremy Troxler, Faith and Leadership, 2007.
  • "Come and See," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "What It Means to Follow Jesus," 15 January 2006, Walter W. Harms, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • Sermon for Epiphany 2, 15 January 2006, Carl E. Roemer, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Actual Equality: An Ongoing Struggle," R. Robert Tafel, Cambridge Swedenborg Chapel, Cambridge, MA.
  • "The Nathanael Shift," John Jewell, 2000.
• With Children:
  • "Fishermen Who Became Fishers of Men," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Come and See!" Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "You Will See Heaven Open and God's Angels Going Up and Coming Down," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Ready to Serve," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • John 1:47-51, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 1:43, 49. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!
    • The First Noel
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Calling the Disciples
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Call
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of John