The Disciples:
Philip and Nathanael/Bartholomew
October 25, 2026
Scripture: John 1:43-51
On his sixteenth birthday a son approached his father and said, "Dad, I’m sixteen now. When I get my license, can I drive the family car?” His dad looked at him and said, "Son, driving the car takes maturity, and first, you must prove that you are responsible enough. And one way you must do that is to improve your grades. They are not acceptable. Second, you must read the Bible every day. And finally, you must get that waist long hair cut; it looks outrageous.” The son began the task of fulfilling his father’s requirements, knowing that the last might be impossible.
When his grades came out, he went to his dad with a big smile. "Look, Dad, all A’s and Bs on my report card. Now can I drive the family car?” “Very good, son. You are one-third of the way there, but have you been reading the Bible?" the father replied. "Yes, Dad, every day," said the son. "Very good son. You are two-thirds of the way there. Now when are you going to get that hair cut?"
The son, thinking that he could outsmart the father, responded, "Well, I don’t see why I should get my hair cut to drive the car. Jesus had long hair, didn’t he?” The father looked at his boy and said, "That’s right, son and Jesus walked everywhere he went."
Jesus walked to find Philip. In our Scripture text, John 1:43, we learn that Jesus decided to leave for Galilee, finding Philip, Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Philip followed him.
The name Philip was a popular name at that time. Scripture notes four different men named Philip. There was Philip, the disciple and apostle of Jesus. The book of Acts notes Philip the deacon/evangelist (Acts 6:4; Acts 8; Acts 21:8). Most scholars tend to think Philip the evangelist is different from the Apostle Philip. There were also two members of Herod’s family that were named Philip (Luke 3:1; Matthew 14:3).
Matthew, Mark, and Luke only note Philip in the list of disciples (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14 and Acts 1:13). The Apostle John mentions him on four separate occasions. John 1:44 notes Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Bethsaida was a small town on the north end of the Sea of Galilee. So, I tend to think Andrew and Peter knew Philip. I also think that at least Andrew and Peter were with Jesus at this time because the previous section in John 1 notes Andrew and Peter began to follow Jesus. So, when Jesus called Philip, most likely Andrew and Peter encouraged him to follow Jesus also. I also think that James and John were with Jesus at this time as the Apostle John wrote this gospel.
Then, verse 45 notes, Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Please note what Philip said to Nathanael as he noted that Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecies. Philip was educated in the Old Testament. Now, I am confident that Philip had some questions for Jesus. What Jesus said to Him and possibly also Andrew, Peter, James, and John convinced Philip that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.
Maybe Philip became convinced that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 that the Messiah would be conceived of a virgin. James and John’s mother Salome would have been aware of this. He might also be made aware that Jesus was born in Bethlehem which fulfills the prophecy of Micah 5:2. Jesus’ background fulfills being a descendant of David (II Samuel 7:12-16). The Messiah’s ministry would begin in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2 and he would be an anointed preacher of good news (Isaiah 61:1, 2). These are just a few reasons Philip was convinced about Jesus! Of course, his death and resurrection fulfilled several others such as Isaiah 53. Philip then went to tell Nathanael.
Here is the first principle. Realize Jesus is the Messiah! Then go tell others.
Old Testament prophecy was a major reason for Philip to believe in Jesus. It is still a major piece of evidence who Jesus Is!!! AI noted that most scholars agree that Jesus fulfilled at least 300 Old Testament prophecies, with some counts reaching 456 depending on how indirect references and symbolic foreshadowings are included.
The resurrected Jesus told his disciples as recorded in Luke 24:44, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.
The Apostle Paul noted the importance of prophecy as he wrote in I Corinthians 15:3, 4, For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…
Many of you have heard this before, but I decided to tell it again. When I was a child, I attended church. As a teenager, I still attended church and Sunday school, but I was a professing agnostic. I heard the church sermons and the Bible stories in Sunday School, but there was no real impact on my life. Then, the youth pastor and my mom convinced me to go to church camp. There in walking with a friend, I realized there must have been a God who created this world/universe (Romans 1:18-23). Then I heard songs like Seek Ye First (Matthew 6:33) and Pass It On that spoke to my heart. I also saw the love, the joy, the passion for life in the youth pastor that I wanted! So, I began to want Jesus in my life. The Lord was working. I made an initial commitment by the end of church camp. After I got home, I felt led to read the Bible. I particularly made a deeper commitment after I read the Parable of the Sower. Previously, I thought that it was a good story. Then I came to understand the parable. The parable is about how people react to the good news of Jesus. I wanted to be the person who received the seed that fell on good soil and produced a crop.
Listen, the Lord will help you understand and prompt you through His Holy Spirit, His Scripture, through others, or even a song to grasp the truths of Scripture, the way of salvation, and who Jesus is!
After making an initial commitment to the Lord at camp, the first person that I told, was Kathy. We were dating and I could share with her better than anybody else in my life. She started coming with me to the church youth group meetings.
After Philip told Nathanael that he had found the Messiah, Nathanael responded, verse 46, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. Then Philip said, “Come and see!”
Bible scholars think that Nathanael he was a cousin, perhaps even a brother. Scholars also think Nathanael was his first name and Bartholomew, meaning son of Tolmai, is the last name. His name is found only in the Gospel of John, five times in chapter 1 and once in chapter 21. Nathanael is a Greek name and was the only disciple that had a Greek name. Since Nathanael has a Jewish background, the other gospels in their list of disciples probably went with Bartholomew, a Jewish name. The name Nathanael or Bartholomew is never mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament.
Nathanael initial reaction to Philip was, Nazareth! Can anything good come from there? Nathanael’s question reflects the low reputation of Nazareth during that time. He also probably thought that the Messiah would come from a place of honor such as Bethlehem or Jerusalem. He might have had the same perspective as the religious leaders. For instance, in John 7:52, the religious leaders were questioning/criticizing Nicodemus as they said, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” Obviously, they were not aware of Isaiah 9:1, 2.
Philip responded to Nathanael by saying, Come and see. Nathanael went with Philip to see Jesus.
Here is the second principle. Seek the Lord! Be willing to come and see! Be a Truth-Seeker!
Ask/pray for the Lord’s help, guidance, wisdom. Come to faith and continue to be a Truth-Seeker by searching the Scriptures and the evidence why one can wholeheartedly believe!
Jeremiah 29:13 states, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
We find Jesus when we wholeheartedly seek him!
Proverbs 18:15 says, The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
Nathanael’s doubt resulted in faith. Verse 47, When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching; Jesus said to him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false. Jesus already knew this man’s heart. He knew Nathanael was a man of honesty, integrity and loved the LORD! Nathanael asked, How do you know me? Jesus tells verse 48, I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you. Jesus also knew about Nathanael’s prayer life as he knew the place where Nathanael would mediate and commune with God. It was the place he would ask questions about life, about the Messiah, or the things of God. Jesus was now answering those silent questions hidden deep in Nathanael's inner self. Nathanael come to have faith in Jesus because he was seeking the Lord in prayer and was willing to go and see Jesus. Jesus revealed his omniscience as he knew Nathanael’s character and his prayer life. As a result of what Jesus said, Nathanael believed (John 1:49).
Let’s face it, if we are honest, we all have moments of doubt. Now followers of Jesus are not called to have blind faith. Jesus never scolds anyone for questions or honest doubts. He welcomes the opportunity. He can reassure any doubt honestly held. He is the truth; he holds the truth; and welcomes all who seek the truth.
When Aaron was in high school, I decided to start a teen ministry called Truth-seekers. The reason we started it was because so many young people were/are questioning and doubting basic Christian beliefs. So, Kathy and I would have teens, generally from the church, meet to discuss tough questions of faith. We would discuss questions like: What key arguments are there for and against God’s existence? Why would a good God allow evil to exist? How can a loving God send people to hell? What is truth? What is the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus? Did Jesus really exist? Why can you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God? This is a major reason why my son, Aaron, has such an interest in Christian apologetics, reasons/evidence to believe in God and Jesus! Today, every Christian parent needs to be equipped to give the reasons, the evidence why one should believe in Jesus.
Sadly, too many people do not genuinely believe because as Romans 1 notes people suppress the truth or as John 3:19 notes, Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Today, so many young people follow their own evil desires. Too many listen to the unbelieving religious professor from the university or buy into the garbage they find on the web. There is a lack of desire and critical thinking!!!!! They do not really seek the Truth! The Lord has revealed Himself in so many ways! Yet, people really don’t want to pursue the evidence.
I encourage you to find and wholeheartedly seek after Jesus! Be a TRUTH-SEEKER! Seek with all your being to know Him! Maybe it is reading some books by Lee Strobel like the Case for Christ or the Case for Faith. Be a Nathanael and be a TRUTH-SEEKER! Then you can put your faith in the facts, not faith in your feelings!
Here is a third principle. After coming to believe in Jesus, continue to grow in understanding and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Nathanael and Philip grew in understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. Nathanael had an exceptionally good understanding of Jesus at his conversion. As noted, Nathanael declared this about Jesus in John 1:49, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel. His exclamation is brief, but telling. He calls him "rabbi," meaning "great teacher." He then confesses Jesus as his personal redeemer and his national redeemer. He is both the "Son of God" and "King of Israel."
Jesus was pleased that Nathanael believed! So, Jesus promised him greater things verses 50, 51. You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man” (Note Genesis 28:12).
Jesus always responds positively to faith. There are great discoveries of God's greatness and power for those who exercise faith. Nathanael did not realize the journey that he was starting. He would see Jesus preach great messages, heal the sick, and raise the dead. He would see the resurrected Jesus and Jesus ascend into heaven (Note John 20:17-21; Acts 1:9-11). Again, Scripture does not mention Nathaneal/Bartholmew any further.
Now, from the four appearances of Philip in the Gospels, we see that he was a practical, common-sense guy. Yet, he needed to learn and grow in understanding of Jesus’ power, his purpose and who He was as a person!
For instance, in John 6:1-8, Jesus has 5,000 men plus women and children who have followed him out away from any town to listen to his teaching. Jesus surveys this great crowd of hungry people and turns to Philip and asks him a question, Philip how do you suppose we are going to feed this hungry mob? The question is for Philip’s benefit.
Jesus had already determined that he was going to miraculously feed the people. However, Philip is the practical guy. He’s a problem solver. So, in a sense, he pulls out his pocket calculator and does some quick figuring.
5,000 men
+1000’s of women
+1000’s of children
=a lot of hungry people
Multiply that number by the price of bread and even a bite of bread for each person is going to cost more than 8 months wages!
What did Jesus want his practical disciple to learn here? Philip needed to see the unlimited supply of the power of God.
Philip needed to lift the lid of only seeing the limited resources they had to seeing the unlimited resources of God. Jesus wanted Philip to learn about walking in faith in God.
Then in John 12:20-22, Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Philip was unsure what to do with these Greeks, so he went to Andrew. Philip learned Jesus’ ministry was not just for Jews, but also the Gentiles.
Then in John 14:5-10. Jesus had told the disciples he will be leaving them soon. He was trying to comfort them. He told them that he was going to prepare a place for them. Thomas, doubting Thomas, says, We don’t know where you are going. Show us the way. Jesus tells them that He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him.
Then practical Philip says, Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. Then Jesus answered, Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
You can just hear the disappointment in Jesus’ voice as He says, “Look at me. You’ve been with me all this time. Don’t you see, don’t you believe I am in the Father and the Father is in me? Philip did see and believe as he saw the resurrected Jesus! Jesus helped Philip beyond his practical limitations.
If there is one disciple that I can identify with, it is Philip. The way that I am wired up I tend to be on the practical side. Jesus at various times has challenged me. It is one of the reasons Philippians 3:10 is a key verse for me. As Paul writes, I want to know Christ!
So, my hope and prayer for you is what Paul prays in Ephesians 1:17-19a, I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Now early church history indicates that before Philip was martyred multitudes came to Christ because of his preaching and teaching. By all indications Philip died in Hierapolis, which is in Phrygia, Asia Minor, which is an area of Turkey. One account indicates Philip was crucified upside down. Another account indicates that he was stoned to death. In 2011, Italian archaeologist Francesco D'Andria claimed to have discovered the tomb of Philip during excavations in ancient Hierapolis. The 1st-century tomb, found to be empty of relics, stood at the center of a 4th- or 5th-century Church of the Sepulchre. It was a focal point of an ancient pilgrimage dedicated to Philip. Ancient Greek prayers are carved into the walls of the tomb and church venerating Philip the Apostle.
Early church fathers and historical documents indicate that Bartholomew traveled to Armenia to preach the Gospel. There, according to these accounts, he converted King Polymius and many others to Christianity. This missionary success enraged Polymius’ brother, Astyages, who had Bartholomew arrested. The tradition states that Bartholomew was flayed/skinned alive and then beheaded or crucified. This method of execution was used in the ancient world to maximize suffering and create a public spectacle meant to discourage others. Other traditions place Bartholomew’s ministry and death in India or Mesopotamia instead of Armenia.
Let me close with this brief story. There was once a Muslim college student who came to believe in Jesus as His Lord and Savior. One of his friends was shocked and asked him, “Why did you become a follower of Jesus?” Here was his response: “It’s simple really. Imagine that you’re walking down a road and you come to a fork in the road and there are two people there to follow as your guide along the way. One of them is dead, and one of them is alive. Which one would you follow?”
Listen, Jesus is alive! He is not dead but alive! The evidence is overwhelming! Please if you have not made a wholehearted commitment to Jesus, be a Truth-Seeker! Do the research why you can believe in Jesus! Ask for His help in discovering the Truth and follow the evidence, not your feelings! Remember, one puts their faith in the facts, not one’s feelings. If you have made a commitment to Christ, then seek Him first in your life. Seek to worship Him and obey Him. Please take to heart that he wants the best for you!
Let’s pray!
