John 1:50

50 Jesus answered, and said to him, For I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest; thou shalt see more than these things [thou shalt see more things than these].

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 said to him [Nathanael saith to him], Whereof hast thou known me? Jesus answered, and said to him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou were under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered to him, and said [and saith], Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art king of Israel.
50 Jesus answered, and said to him, For I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest; thou shalt see more than these things [thou shalt see more things than these].
51 And he said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, ye shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending up and coming down on man's Son [and the angels of God ascending up and coming down upon man's Son].
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.