Exposition of John, Chapter 1 · Verse 27
Verſe 45. Philip findeth Nathaneel, 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.
46. And Nathaneel ſaid unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip ſaith unto him, Come and ſee.
The laſt who is called here to embrace Chriſt for the Meſſiah is Nathaneel, who is wrought upon, partly by Philip, ver. 45, 46. partly, by Chriſt himſelf, ver. 47, 48, 49. And upon his believing, he is commended, and promiſes of greater things given for his encouragement, v. 50, 51.
As for Philip the inſtruments part, he finding Nathaneel, declareth how they had found the promiſed Meſſiah, and when he ſtumbled at Chriſt, becauſe of the place of his reſidence or bi…th, as was ſuppoſed, Philip inviteth him to come to Chriſt for clearing of that doubt. Doct. 1. As Chriſt by one word can draw a ſoul to him, ſo Converſion is beſt proved by effects, and particularly, by zeal in ſeeking to promote the Kingdome of Chriſt, and the good of our neighbours ſoule in our ſtation; it being an inſeparable companion of the new nature to ſeek to multiplie the kinde; for, Philip was gained by one word, and proveth it by finding Nathaneel, and ſeeking to gain him. 2. Private conference and mutual edification is a notable means for advancing the Kingdom of Chriſt in our ſelves or others; for, by theſe means Chriſt gathereth his diſciples here. 3. The Meſſiah was ſpoken of and foretold, both in the Law and in the Prophets, and the godly before his coming, waited for him by ſtudying theſe Scriptures; And Jeſus is the true Meſſiah, in whom all things that were foretold are accompliſhed, the finding of whom is the beſt of newes; for theſe are Philips newes to Nathaneel, We have found him of whom Moſes in the Law and the Prophets did write, importing, that Moſes and the Prophets did write of him, as is clear from Gen. 3.15. and 49.10. Deut. 18.18. and frequently through the Prophets; importing alſo, that Philip, Nathaneel, and other godly men were verſed in the Scriptures, point him out, and fed upon him as held forth in the Word, and that the finding of him now in perſon was joyful newes unto them. 4. Such as are true Converts and love Chriſt, may yet be very weak in knowledge, yea, and erre alſo, eſpecially when any thing of Chriſt is learned from tradition, or vulgar report, and not from the Scripture; for, ſo doth Philip miſtake in calling him Jeſus of Nazareth, if it be taken for the place of his birth, and not of his education, Matth. 2.23. and, the ſon of Joſeph, as the common report was. 5. Men are naturally ready to ſtumble at ſomething of Chriſt, yea, even good men may have prejudices to marre their own growth & progreſſe; for, Nathaneel ſtumbleth at the place, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? not ſo much becauſe Chriſt muſt be born at Bethlehem, as becauſe of the baſeneſſe of the place, the inhabitants of Galilee where Nazareth was, being a blockiſh and groſſe people; ſo that it was generally conceived, no Prophet could ariſe from thence. John 7.52. And this good man is overtaken with that evil of the generation; whereas there is no place ſo baſe or bad, but God when he pleaſeth, can raiſe eminent inſtruments out of it, or otherwiſe do it good. 6. No prejudices ſhould hinder men to come to Chriſt, and albeit others cannot ſolve their doubts, yet a blenk of him will eaſily diſpel them; for, Philip anſwereth his doubt with Come and ſee, intimating his own weakneſſe to ſatisfie all his doubts, that it was his duty to come to Chriſt notwithſtanding, and that Chriſt could clear him.