able to call any one whom He pleases into the kingdom of heaven, without the ministry either of angel or man."
44. — [Philip... of Bethsaida city Andrew Peter ^ This verse
seems to make it probable that Piiihp's conversion and calling took place at Bethsaida. Andrew and Peter having been con- verted and become companions of Jesus on His way to Galilee, •would appear to have taken Him to their own native place, Bethsaida.
i5 — [ We have found Mm.] Philip, like his fellow-citizen, Andrew, seems to have expected the appearance of Messiah.
Chrysostom remarks, " Seest thou what a thoughtful mind he had, how assiduously he meditates on the writings of Moses, and expected the advent? The expression, 'we have found,' belongs always to those who are in some way seeking."
[IIim....3foses... .prophets did ivrite.] Here, as in the case of Andrew, we should notice the famiharity with the general con- tents of Scripture which a poor Jew like Phihp possessed. He thoroughly understood that " Moses and the prophets" held forth the promise of a coming Kedeemer, and that a better Priest, Prophet, and King were foretold in their writings. " The Old Testament," as the Church of England Article wisely declares, "is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old Testament and New, everlasting lile is offered to mankind by Christ." We must beware, in these latter days, of despising the Old Testament. It is one by-path to infidelity.
[Jesus of Nazarei'h...son of Joseph.] Philip here describes our Lord according to the common report about Him, and in all probability according to his own present knowledge. His heart was at present better than his head. The miraculous conception of Christ was hidden from him. Yet it is not unworthy of remark, that this ignorant account of our Lord was very likely the cause of Nathanael's doubt and prejudice, exhibited in the next verse. The mistakes of young converts are often mighty stum- bling-blocks in the way of other people's souls. We must not, however, despise Philip because of his mistake. Eollock remarks, " I had rather a man should stammer and babble about Christ, providing he does it sincerely and from his heart, and has before i him as an object the glory of Grod and salvation of men, than say many things eloquently about Christ, for ostentation and vain glory."
x6. — [Can any good thing. ..come.. .Nazareth?] This question shows the low estimate in which Nazareth, where our Lord had been brought up, was held. It was an obscure town in a corner of Q-alilee, not far from the borders of the province, and its reputation seems to have been very bad. Nathanael could not
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