NEW TESTAMENT

– A narrative on John: 1:35-51

THE “success” of evangelistic campaigns in which people are invited to a meeting to hear an address explaining how to become a Christian, depends largely on “Operation Andrew” – the personal prayer and witness of Christians before the meeting. Lasting effects generally come from this “personal evangelism on a large scale” more than from the much parodied “mass evangelism”.

Jesus’ first disciples doubled in number because Andrew and Philip told others that Jesus was worth listening to. Once in his presence, Peter and Nathanael were dealt with according to their individual personalities.

Peter received a new identity and opportunity of service, important for one who was a blunderer. (It is stressed at the end of the Gospel, too.) Nathanael was sceptical, secure in a comfortable life. (“Under the fig tree” was a common Jewish expression for well-being.) He needed to know that Jesus was a caring and secure guide. The insight confirmed that he was.

The witnesses were different from the people they brought, too. Quiet and sensitive Andrew brought the brash Peter to Jesus. Philip seems even more cautious; when some Greeks wanted to see Jesus, he asked Andrew to go with him to tell Jesus (12:20-22)! A person does not need to be “upfront” to be a useful servant of God.

Nathanael is probably to be identified with the Bartholomew of the other Gospels. Bartholomew is a patronymic (“son of . . . “) so he would have had another name. In the Synoptic Gospels, Bartholomew is always closely associated with Philip. Nothing is known of either of them after the death of Jesus.