TWELVE COMMON MEN Nathanael The Apostle Without Guile.

TWELVE COMMON MENTWELVE COMMON MEN

Nathanael

The Apostle Without Guile

Nathanael • From Cana in Galilee (Jn 21:1-2)• Probably a fisherman (Jn 21:3)• Called Nathanael “given of God” in John

– Was he an apostle?– He does appear in Jn 21 with other apostles– But his name is different in the other gospels

• Called Bartholomew in other gospels– Means “son of Tholomaeus”– Not a first name, but a family– Like Simon Bar-Jonah or James and John Bar-

Zebedee

HIS LOVE OF SCRIPTURE • Jn 1:45 - Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We

have found Him of whom Moses in the law…– Suggests Philip knew Nathanael and knew he was

well-versed in Scripture– Note what Philip did not say:

• “I have found a man with a wonderful plan for your life”

• “I have found a man who will fix your personal problems and give your life meaning”

– They had both been looking for someone who matched the prophecies

Nathanael – The Apostle Without Guile

HIS LOVE OF SCRIPTURE • Knowledge of the OT is what brought them to Jesus

• Knowledge of the OT is what caused them to remain with Jesus

• The surprise for Nathanael – it’s “Jesus of Nazareth”


HIS PREJUDICE • Jn. 1:46 - And Nathanael said to him, "Can

anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." – Nazareth was totally unexpected by Nathanael

• A student of Scripture would know the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2, Mt 2:3-6)

• No OT prophet came from Nazareth – Nazareth was on a trade road and had a

reputation of wickedness• God often chooses common, weak and lowly

things for His purposes (1 Cor 1:27-29)


HIS PREJUDICE • The problem of prejudice

– Defined as: generalizations based on feelings and preconceived ideas regardless of facts. • Israel rejected the Messiah partly because of

prejudice against Galileans (Jn 7:52)

• Jesus was rejected in His own hometown due to prejudice (Lk 4:22)

• People allow their prejudices to close their ears to the Gospel message– Don’t want to believe the gospel plan– Don’t want to believe any will be punished


HIS PREJUDICE • Paul uses the image of blindness to refer to

the same problem (2 Cor 4:3-4) – All people are prone to prejudice

• Grouping and classifying people and situations based on feelings or experience

– Prejudice must be confronted with the facts• Jn 1:46b – “Come and see.”


HIS SINCERITY OF HEART • Jn 1:47

– Jesus knew the character of Nathanael before He met him (Jn 2:25)

• Nathanael was a true Israelite (“Israelite indeed”)– What did it mean to be “a true Israelite?” – Many Israelites of Jesus’ day were hypocrites

• Rom 2:28-29– Nathanael was pure-hearted, no deceit, honest

• His heart was circumcised • He didn’t let his prejudice stop him from examining the

evidence• Unlike many, he wasn’t willing to just be an Israelite

outwardly (Mt 23:13-36)


HIS EAGER FAITH • A sincere heart and a real faith can overcome

prejudice (Jn 1:48-49)– Note his amazement that Jesus already knew

him • How could Jesus know his heart and mind? • Notice how fast Nathanael puts it all together

• Nathanael was convinced– Jn 1:49 – “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You

are King of Israel!” • Nathanael’s reply shows his familiarity with

the OT – Ps 2:6-7; Zech 9:9; Isa 9:6-7; etc.


HIS EAGER FAITH • Jn 1:50-51

– Jesus affirms Nathanael’s faith• He was indeed what Nathanael said He was

• No other disciple displayed such understanding of ...– Who Jesus really was

• Others realized He was the Messiah (Andrew, Philip)

• But Nathanael adds Son of God and King of Israel

– What it really meant for Him to be the Messiah

• Why the allusion to Gen 28:12?– Perhaps given because Nathanael would understand – Jesus is the ladder that connects heaven and earth

• Nathanael would see the connection take place


What happened to Nathanael • Tradition has him preaching in Armenia, Persia and

India and dying a martyr’s death (flayed then beheaded)– We can conclude that he was faithful unto the end,

because he was faithful from the start


Conclusion• What was the character of Nathanael?

– He loved Scripture– He had some prejudice to overcome– He was sincere of heart– He had an eager faith

• Nathanael was a common man, from an insignificant place – And God used him to His glory


TWELVE COMMON MEN Nathanael The Apostle Without Guile.

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