Under the Fig Tree

Summary/Abstract Jesus encounters Nathaniel and tells him that he saw him under the fig tree before Philip called him. Nathaniel is surprised and expresses his belief that Jesus is the Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus responds by saying that Nathaniel will see even greater things than what he has seen. He then talks about how Nathaniel will have the opportunity to witness heaven open and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This exchange between Jesus and Nathaniel is a powerful reminder of the eternal security and hope that can be found through Jesus Christ. Jesus and Nathaniel had an encounter in which Jesus declared to Nathaniel Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no deceit! Nathaniel was surprised by this, asking How do you know me? Jesus answered that he had seen Nathaniel while he was under the fig tree. This phrase under the fig tree was an idiom for studying the Hebrew Scriptures. It likely developed from the way rabbis and their students would often sit under fig trees for shade while studying. In the first century, Jewish people would memorize Scripture as it was not readily available in printed books or Bibles. In ancient Israel, students would sit under fig trees to study the scriptures, inspired by the prophetic passages from Zechariah and Micah that promised a future kingdom where the Messiah would come and reign and God's people would dwell in peace. This hope of a future kingdom kept the Jewish people going through the Roman oppression, and the expression sitting under the fig tree became associated with studying prophecies of the coming Messiah. When Jesus meets Nathaniel, Jesus is not promising immediate blessings to the Jewish people, but instead a different kind of kingdom. Jesus tells Nathaniel (and all who listen) that they will see greater things than these, referring to the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven at the time of the final judgment as described in Daniel 7. Jesus also refers to the Lord appearing in a dream to Jacob in Genesis 28. Jesus' statement implies that Nathaniel, being a student of Bible prophecy, would understand the references to the end of time and the Lord appearing to Jacob. Jesus' words suggest that the glorious consummation of history is coming soon and all will witness it. 0:00:05 "Jesus and Nathaniel: A Conversation on Eternal Security" 0:05:03 Topic: Jesus' Encounter with Nathaniel Speaker: Pastor John Smith 0:08:12 Topic: Sitting Under the Fig Tree: The Significance of a Biblical Prophecy in Ancient Israel 0:13:21 Summary of John 1:51: Jesus' Reference to the Son of Man and Genesis 28 0:16:35 "75th Anniversary of the Present Day Nation of Israel: Exploring the Biblical Prophecies of What is to Come" 0:24:35 Heading: Jesus Promises Israel Will Dwell in Peace and Safety When He Returns 0:28:04 Subject: Reflection on Jesus' Words on the Road in Galilee   www.venicepres.org