Bible Strands
John 1:50
Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Nathanael immediately after Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel.
The words — ὅτι (hoti) = because, structuring Jesus' response as a conditional inquiry that ties Nathanael's faith to his prior confession.
The thread — The relationship between belief and sight recurs in John 20:29, John 11:40, and Luke 1:45.
Why it lands — The text states Jesus' warning that faith based solely on demonstrated miracles will yield only greater future revelations. It demands that readers evaluate whether their trust rests on visible proofs or on the authority of Christ's own word.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
Cross-references
- John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
- John 11:40 Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
- Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
- Matthew 25:29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
- Matthew 13:12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
- Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”