John 1:50 Commentary and Bible Study

Does Nathaniel accept Jesus as the Messiah on the basis of this one event? Let his joy rise unhindered within him, for he is going to see more wonderful things than this which will increase his faith still more. When we first come to the Lord he gives our souls an intimation of the joys that await us in the future if we continue to follow him. Nathaniel would see mighty miracles, and Calvary, and the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and his ascension into heaven, Pentecost and the coming of the Spirit on all of them. He would see angels and descending on the Son of Man as he reconciled God to man and man to God, and opened up communication between heaven and God’s people on earth. Here is the promise of seeing greater things. The Lord commends his faith and tells him he is going to see the fulfilment of the prophetic vision given to Jacob long before. Jacob had dreamed of a ladder with its foot on earth and its top reaching to heaven. This ladder was a picture of the Messiah who would come to be the link between heaven and earth, allowing blessing to come down from God, and men and women to ascend to heaven.