John 1:50
New International Version
Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”

New Living Translation
Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”

English Standard Version
Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

New American Standard Bible
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

NASB 1995
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

NASB 1977
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Amplified Bible
Jesus replied, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe [in Me]? You will see greater things than this.”

Christian Standard Bible
Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe only because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”

American Standard Version
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus answered, "Did you believe me just because I said that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see something even greater.

English Revised Version
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus replied, "You believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that."

Good News Translation
Jesus said, "Do you believe just because I told you I saw you when you were under the fig tree? You will see much greater things than this!"

International Standard Version
Jesus told him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than that."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
Jesus said to him, "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

New Heart English Bible
Jesus answered him, "Because I told you, 'I saw you underneath the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

Webster's Bible Translation
Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, dost thou believe? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Weymouth New Testament
"Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig-tree,'" replied Jesus, "do you believe? You shall see greater things than that."

World English Bible
Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, you believe; you will see greater things than these”;

Berean Literal Bible
Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

Young's Literal Translation
Jesus answered and said to him, 'Because I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, thou dost believe; greater things than these thou shalt see;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou thou shalt see greater than these.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus answered, and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Jesus responded and said to him: “Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. Greater things than these, you will see.”

New American Bible
Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said to him, Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? you shall see greater things than these.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said to him: “Do you believe because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree? You shall see greater things than these.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Nathaniel answered and said to him: Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Godbey New Testament
Jesus responded and said to him, Because I said to thee, that I saw thee under the fig-tree, dost thou believe? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Haweis New Testament
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said to thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, dost thou believe? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Mace New Testament
Jesus answered him, because thou believest what I said, that I saw thee under the fig-tree, thou shalt see greater things than these.

Weymouth New Testament
"Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig-tree,'" replied Jesus, "do you believe? You shall see greater things than that."

Worrell New Testament
Jesus answered, and said to him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these."

Worsley New Testament
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I told thee that I saw thee under the fig-tree, thou believest: thou shalt see greater things than these.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
49“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus 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.” 51Then 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.”…

Cross References
John 14:12
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 5:20
The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these.

Matthew 13:16-17
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. / For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Luke 10:23-24
Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. / For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

John 11:40
Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

John 12:45
And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.

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.”

Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

Matthew 24:30
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Genesis 28:12
And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.

Genesis 28:13-15
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Isaiah 52:10
The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 53:1
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?


Treasury of Scripture

Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, believe you? you shall see greater things than these.

Because.

John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Luke 1:45
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

thou shalt.

John 11:40
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Matthew 13:12
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Matthew 25:29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

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John 1
1. The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.
15. The testimony of John.
39. The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael














Jesus replied
This phrase introduces the response of Jesus, indicating a direct and personal interaction. The Greek word for "replied" is "ἀπεκρίθη" (apekrithē), which implies a thoughtful and deliberate answer. In the context of the Gospel of John, Jesus' replies often reveal profound truths and insights into His divine nature and mission. This interaction is not just a casual conversation but a moment of revelation and teaching.

Because I told you
Here, Jesus refers to His previous statement to Nathanael. The phrase underscores the power and authority of Jesus' words. In the Greek, "εἶπόν σοι" (eipon soi) emphasizes the personal nature of the communication. Jesus' words are not mere information but carry the weight of divine truth, capable of transforming hearts and minds.

I saw you under the fig tree
This phrase is rich with cultural and historical significance. The fig tree was a common place for study and meditation in Jewish culture, symbolizing peace and prosperity. The Greek "ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν" (hypo tēn sykēn) suggests a specific and intimate knowledge that Jesus has of Nathanael's life. This supernatural insight reveals Jesus' omniscience and His ability to see beyond the physical into the spiritual realm.

you believed
The Greek word "ἐπίστευσας" (episteusas) indicates a trust and faith that goes beyond intellectual assent. Nathanael's belief is a response to the revelation of Jesus' divine knowledge. This belief is foundational in the Gospel of John, where faith in Jesus as the Messiah is central to the narrative. It highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus and recognizing His divine authority.

You will see greater things than these
This promise from Jesus points to the unfolding revelation of His glory and the greater works He will perform. The Greek "μείζω τούτων" (meizō toutōn) suggests not only more significant miracles but also deeper spiritual truths. This statement is both a promise and a challenge, inviting Nathanael and all believers to anticipate the fullness of Jesus' mission and the coming of His kingdom. It encourages a forward-looking faith, expecting the continued revelation of God's power and purpose through Jesus Christ.

(50) Believest thou.--This is not necessarily a question, and a fuller sense is obtained by taking it as an assertion. (Comp. the same word in John 16:31; John 20:29.) On this evidence thou believest; the use of the faith-faculty strengthens it. Thou shalt see greater things than these.

Verses 50, 51. - (d) The Son of man, the link between heaven and earth. Verse 50. - Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said unto thee, that I saw thee underneath the fig tree, thou believest. There is no need to transform this into a question, as though Jesus smiled a gentle reproof upon the rapidity with which Nathanael espoused his cause (cf. John 16:31; John 20:29). The Lord, on the contrary, congratulates him upon the sincerity with which he had at once admitted claims which had never been more explicitly expressed. Thou hast believed because I have made thee feel that I have sounded the depths of thy heart, by means which pass understanding. There are profounder abysses than the human heart. There are powers at my disposal calculated to create a more tender and inspiring faith, one which shall carry thee into other worlds as well as through this. Thou shalt see greater things than these. There shall be vouchsafed a fuller, clearer revelation of what I am, which shall pour new and deeper meaning into the confession thou hast made. Hitherto the Lord was speaking to the one man; but now he says what would be applicable, not only to Nathanael, but to all who had found him, and accepted that outline of his functions and claims which had formed the substance of the latest teaching of John the Baptist.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

said
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

to him,
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Do you believe
πιστεύεις (pisteueis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

just because
Ὅτι (Hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

I told
εἶπόν (eipon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

you
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

I saw
εἶδόν (eidon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

you
σε (se)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

under
ὑποκάτω (hypokatō)
Preposition
Strong's 5270: Underneath, below, under. From hupo and kato; down under, i.e. Beneath.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fig tree?
συκῆς (sykēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4808: A fig-tree. From sukon; a fig-tree.

You will see
ὄψῃ (opsē)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

greater things
μείζω (meizō)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural - Comparative
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

than these.”
τούτων (toutōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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