1:50a

Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree?: Most English translations understand that this sentence is a rhetorical question. It likely expresses Jesus’ surprise that Nathanael believed on him so quickly and easily. There are two ways of translating this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Do you believe just because I told you I saw you when you were under the fig tree? (Good News Translation)

• Use a statement. For example:

You believe me just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. (New International Version)

Translate this rhetorical question in the way that is natural in your language for expressing surprise. The Good News Translation and the New Jerusalem Bible, in the examples above, have both supplied the word “just.” It may be natural to include the word “simply,” which can mean “just” or “only.” For example:

Do you believe simply because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? (New Century Version)

you: The pronoun you is singular and refers to Nathanael.

General Comment on 1:50a

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the clauses in 1:50a and first give the reason Nathanael believed. For example:

Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? (NET Bible)

1:50b

You will see greater things than these: The greater things that Jesus mentions probably refer to the miracles Jesus would do in future weeks and months. The word things does not refer to larger or more important objects, but to events. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

You are going to see greater things than that. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
You will see something even greater. (Contemporary English Version)

You: This pronoun is still singular and refers to Nathanael.

these: The plural pronoun these is not in the Greek, but the Berean Standard Bible supplies it to help people understand the meaning. However, it refers specifically to Jesus telling Nathanael about the fig tree. So it may be more natural to use a singular pronoun. For example:

that (New International Version)
-or-
this (New Living Translation (2004))

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