It has often been noticed that the Gospel of John has a character peculiar to itself. Though each of the Evangelists has that which is in common with the others, this is much more so in the first three than in the last. On this account the three have been called the "Synoptics." John, on the other hand, while testifying to the same Person, as the "Word made flesh," speaks in a language which is unique. So much so is this true, that critics have been compelled again and again to confess that they have here something which is entirely beyond them. It is only those who know what it is to commune with God who are able to understand this wonderful Gospel.

Not only does John tell certain things related by none other; he also speaks of them in a manner which shows us he has learned them, not by mere observation, but as it were from the very "bosom" of the Lord. These things are true of all the writers, of course, but preeminently so of John, as evidenced by his Gospel.

Among the incidents not noticed by the rest, John relates the meeting which took place between the Lord and His disciple Nathanael. After Philip had been found by Jesus, that willing disciple went in search of his friend, and when he "found" him, he exclaimed, "We Have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." These two men, whatever their daily occupation, had been diligent students of the Hebrew Scriptures. By this means they had been led to look for the appearance of the Promised One at just this time. The language of Philip indicates this but when he announces the place from whence Jesus was, Nathanael exclaims, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Instead of employing other arguments, Philip fastens upon the best one of all, saying, "Come and see."

We are here shown the honesty and sincerity of Nathanael, for as soon as Philip invites him, this man goes with his friend to meet Jesus. As they approached where Jesus was, He was heard to say, perhaps in reflection, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael hearing this, whether intended for his ears or not, asks, "Whence knowest Thou me?" It is to be noted here that he does not say, exactly, "How?" but "Whence?" as if inquiring the origin from which this knowledge came. We may be sure that after hearing that Jesus was from Nazareth, the words of Jesus concerning him came with no ordinary force. The answer of Jesus to this question entirely satisfied Nathanael as to "whence" Jesus was, and he exclaims in astonishment and conviction, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel."

What then was it which brought to Nathanael this deep conviction, and led him to such a noble confession of the One who even then was "despised and rejected of men?" It was the saying of Jesus to him, "When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee." From these words the godly Israelite learned that he was in the Presence of the "Searcher of hearts." This lowly Nazarene was, to Nathanael’s astonishment, none less than the "God of Israel!" What a marvelous revelation to the soul of this true Israelite! While rejected by the nation to whom He had come, here is a man who learns from the lips of Jesus that which causes all doubt concerning His divine glory to vanish. Not only is Jesus the "Son of God," He must also in that case be the true "King of Israel."

"When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee." Here was a revelation to Nathanael's soul that the God whom he sought in communion and confession had indeed "come down" to "deliver" His people, as of old He had done when they were held in oppression in Pharaoh's land. But it was no mere national deliverance which Nathanael sought. For though, as every true Israelite should, this man "hoped" for that mercy which should arise to them as a people of God, there was no doubt a deep personal need which Nathanael felt when he retired beneath the "fig-tree" on that special -occasion. The words of Jesus to him indicate that there was a certain moment, supreme in the history of his soul, when Nathanael longed and cried out, under the depths of the fig-tree's seclusion, after the living God. Surely here was no mere national enthusiasm, in expectation of a Messiah such as would suit the pride of the human heart; it was a soul feeling its own barrenness and unfruitfulness, seeking the One who alone could answer every need of man.

This desire, and that which led up to its fulfilment in the discovery of the Son of God in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, has been touchingly set forth in the words of the well-known hymn-writer, Dr. Ray Palmer, as follows:-

"I saw thee, when as twilight fell,
And evening lit her fairest star;
Thy footsteps sought yon quiet dell,
The world's confusion left afar,

"I saw thee when thou stoodest alone,
Where drooping branches thick overhung,
Thy still retreat, to all unknown,
Hid in deep shadows darkly flung.

"I saw thee, when as died each sound,
Of bleating flock or woodland herd;
Kneeling as if on holy ground,
Thy voice the listening silence heard.

"I saw thy calm, uplifted eyes,
And marked the heaving of thy breast;
When rose to heaven thy heartfelt sighs,
For purer life, for perfect rest.

"I saw the light that o'er thy face,
Stole with a soft, suffusing glow
As if, within, celestial grace
Breathed the same bliss that angels know.

"I saw-what thou didst not-above
Thy lowly head an open heaven;
And tokens of thy Father's love
With smiles to thy rapt spirit given.

"I saw thee from that sacred spot
With firm and peaceful soul depart;
I, Jesus, saw thee-doubt it not-
I read the secrets of thy heart."

Wm. Huss