Keraia
John 1

John 1:51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael · John 1:43–51
Read John 1

Translations

Modern
Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Traditional
And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
Literal
And He says to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Latin
Et dicit ei: Amen, amen dico vobis, videbitis cælum apertum, et angelos Dei ascendentes, et descendentes supra Filium hominis.

Original

Greek
English
Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Notes

John 1:51

  • Truly, truly (Greek amēn amēn): Jesus often used this phrase to emphasize important points. In John’s Gospel, the Greek word amēn is always doubled.

  • you will all see heaven open: Jesus made the comparison with Jacob clear (see study note on 1:47; see Genesis 28:10–22). Like Jacob, Nathanael would see God at work. Jacob saw a vision at Bethel, where God revealed himself (Genesis 28:19).

    Jesus himself is the new Bethel. The name Bethel means “house of God.” In other words, Jesus is the place where God now lives among his people.

  • Son of Man: See study note on John 9:35; see also Daniel 7:13–14; Mark 8:31.

  • John the apostle used several names for Jesus (Son of God, Son of Man, Christ). Knowing the true identity of Jesus is necessary to fully understanding and following him.

John 1:35–51

This section introduces the model for discipleship in John’s Gospel. Disciples wanted to come and see Jesus, and when they met him, they stayed with him (1:39).

John 1:19–51

John’s Gospel focuses less on John the Baptist compared to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 3:1–6; Mark 1:2–6; Luke 1:1–24, 57–80; 3:1–13). However, the apostle John wants us to understand that John the Baptist correctly identified and honored Jesus.

John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. Jesus continued the work that John had begun. As the ministry of Jesus grew, John’s ministry became smaller, just as John had said (John 3:30).

Events

Glossary

Anointed One, Anointed Ones Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Jesus Christ John, Gospel of Nathanael Philip Son of Man

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Ministers to Jesus After the Temptation Angel (A Spirit): Ministrant to the Righteous Angel (A Spirit): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Angels: Minister to Christ Jesus, the Christ: Ascension of Jesus, the Christ: Disciples Adhere To Types of Christ: Jacob's Ladder