John 1:50

50 Jesus replied, "You believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that."

John 1:50 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:50

Jesus answered and said unto him
Not as reproving him for his faith, as if he was too credulous, and too easily gave into the belief of Christ, as the Son of God, and true Messiah, upon these single expressions of his; but as approving of it, and surprised at it:

because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest
thou?
some read the words, not by way of interrogation, but as an assertion; "thou believest", or "hast believed", as the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Persic versions:

thou shall see greater things than these;
meaning that he should have larger discoveries of his person, nature, and perfections, and should see things done by him, much more surprising than any thing he had seen yet; referring to the miracles of raising the dead, casting out devils, and healing all manner of diseases.

John 1:50 In-Context

48 Nathanael asked Jesus, "How do you know anything about me?" Jesus answered him, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you."
49 Nathanael said to Jesus, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!"
50 Jesus replied, "You believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that."
51 Jesus said to Nathanael, "I can guarantee this truth: You will see the sky open and God's angels going up and coming down to the Son of Man."
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