John 1:48 Commentary and Bible Study

Nathanael is astonished – He knows about me not just as an acquaintance, but as one who reads my heart like no human being could do. He knows that I am anxious about these things, and earnest about these things. So Nathanael says to him, ‘Whence knowst thou me?’ Who told you? Not how, but whence. Where does your knowledge come from? I did not know that people spoke about me? Has Philip told you all about me? So the Lord Jesus Christ goes further. He answered and said unto him, Before Philip brought you to me, I saw you conducting your devotions, under the fig tree, which is your customary place. Nathaniel knows that he was alone under the fig tree, and Philip who has fetched him knows it too. Christ is not talking about seeing Nathaniel with his human eyes, but about a supernatural observation of him.