Matthew Poole and continuators on John 1:48

48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me ? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wert under the Fig-tree, I saw thee .

Nathanael wondereth how Christ should know him, having not been of his familiar acquaintance;

Christ tells him, he saw him under the Fig-tree, before ever Philip called him. That was a very hot Country, wherein people [illegible: 1 letter]ought shadowy places; hence we read of sitting under their own Vines and Fig-trees, Micah 4.4. Zech. 3.10. and it is likely that those being two luxuriant plants, that had large Leaves, and ran out in long Boughs in hot Weather, they might under the covert of these Plants, not only sit as in an Arbour to converse one with another, but also perform Religious Duties. Whether Christ saw him there eating, and drinking, or conversing with friends, or reading, or praying, the Scripture saith not, and it is but vainly guessed; it is enough that by his telling this to him, he let him know, that he saw him, though he was not in his view, and so was Omnipresent, and Omniscient. Christ seeth us where we are, and what we do, when we see not him; and he seeth our hearts, whether they be single, or double, plain, or false, and deceitful; which as in many cases it affordeth us much comfort, so it admonisheth us to be at all times in the fear of the Lord.