In happy contrast to Philip's unbelief was the childlike trust of Nathanael. He was a man of intensely earnest nature, one whose faith took hold upon unseen realities. Yet Philip was a student in the school of Christ, and the divine Teacher bore patiently with his unbelief and dullness. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples, Philip became a teacher after the divine order. He knew whereof he spoke, and he taught with an assurance that carried conviction to the hearers.

Natanaels barnlige tillid var en glædelig modsætning til Filips vantro. Han var et menneske med et dybt alvorligt sind, en mand, hvis tro holdt fast ved de usynlige værdier. Alligevel var Filip en discipel i Kristi skole, og den guddommelige lærer udviste tålmodig overbærenhed med hans vantro og sløvhed. Da Helligånden var blevet udgydt over disciplene, blev Filip en lærer efter Guds sind. Han vidste, hvad han talte om, og han underviste med en sikker forvisning, som virkede overbevisende på hans tilhørere.