Epiphany Season · Second Sunday after the Epiphany · Year B
John 1:43-51
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
January 17, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Come and see.” (John 1:46)
John the Baptist repeats his testimony to Jesus as Lamb of God in the presence of two of his disciples (v. 36). This is how he makes Jesus known to “Israel.” In effect, he delivers his own disciples over to Jesus. One of the two is said to be Andrew (v. 40), but the other is not identified. It is widely assumed that the second disciple is the Gospel writer himself, the “beloved disciple” mentioned five times in the latter half of the Gospel. But not all anonymous disciples have to be the same. More likely, the second disciple is Philip (cf. 1:43), who appears alongside Andrew on two other occasions (6:5–9; 12:21–22) and who, like Andrew, brings someone else to Jesus (1:43–51). The two disciples in verses 35–39 thus anticipate verses 40–42 and 43–51 respectively: Jesus calls Andrew and Philip; Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus, while Philip brings Nathanael.
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Commentary
Commentary on John 1:43-51 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's exegetical walk through the call of Philip and Nathanael and how Jesus' knowing gaze provokes confession.
John 1:43-51 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Preaching-focused notes on Nathanael's mini-epiphany and the sermon angles the text opens up.
Come and See SALT Project
A reading built around the recurring 'Come and see' invitation and the week's shared theme of call.
John 1:43-51 Enduring Word · David Guzik
An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
A Catholic reflection on John 1:43-51, walking through Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael and the invitation to 'come and see.'
Out of Nazareth Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
An Episcopal sermon on the John 1:43-51 encounter, centering Nathanael's question about Nazareth.
Background & Word Study
Come and See the One Who Has Already Seen Left Behind and Loving It
D. Mark Davis works through the Greek phrase by phrase, drawing out the Jacob's-ladder allusion.
Jesus meets Nathanael in John 1 Psephizo · Ian Paul
Ian Paul examines the Nathanael encounter and its Old Testament echoes in their first-century setting.
Overview: John BibleProject
An animated overview of John's Gospel that situates the calling scene within the book's literary design.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
What happens when Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael?
Jesus calls Philip, who tells the skeptical Nathanael to come and see; when Jesus reveals he saw him under the fig tree, Nathanael confesses him Son of God and King of Israel.
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