John 1:46 kjv

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

John 1:46 nkjv

And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

John 1:46 niv

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.

John 1:46 esv

Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

John 1:46 nlt

"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" "Come and see for yourself," Philip replied.

John 1 verses

John 1 46 Meaning

John 1:46 captures a moment of initial skepticism and a profound invitation to discovery. Nathanael's question, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" reflects a prevalent cultural prejudice against Nazareth, a small, obscure town in Galilee. This challenges the notion that the Messiah, or any significant person, could originate from such an unlikely place. Philip's direct response, "Come and see," is an exemplary invitation to personal experience and encounter with Christ, urging Nathanael to move beyond preconceived notions and verify the truth for himself. It signifies that direct engagement with Jesus surpasses any prior bias or hearsay.

John 1 46 Context

John chapter 1 introduces Jesus as the incarnate Word of God, the Light of the world, and the Lamb of God. After John the Baptist identifies Jesus, Jesus begins to gather His first disciples. Andrew, one of John the Baptist's disciples, encounters Jesus and brings his brother Peter. Then Jesus calls Philip, who in turn immediately seeks out his friend Nathanael. It is in this sequence of disciples calling disciples that Philip shares the news of Jesus as the promised Messiah (v.45). Nathanael's prejudiced response to Philip's exciting news forms the immediate context of this verse, highlighting the common challenge of preconceived notions obstructing the acceptance of truth. Historically and culturally, Galilee was generally looked down upon by the Judeans, who considered it less pure religiously and less prestigious. Nazareth, a small, virtually unheard-of village within Galilee, carried even less weight. There is no mention of Nazareth in the Old Testament, which further contributed to its obscurity and lack of status. The belief was that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem and be from Judea, reinforcing Nathanael's surprise and skepticism about Jesus originating from such a lowly place.

John 1 46 Word analysis

• And Nathanael (Καὶ Ναθαναὴλ - Kai Nathanaēl): "Nathanael" means "God has given" or "gift of God." He is a pivotal character whose initial skepticism underscores the surprising nature of Jesus' origins, and whose swift, profound belief upon encountering Jesus highlights Jesus' unique power to reveal truth.
• said (εἶπεν - eipen): A direct, declarative statement, conveying a fixed opinion.
• to him (αὐτῷ - autō): Referring to Philip, his friend and fellow Israelite.
• "Can (Τί δύναταί - Ti dynatai)": Literally "What is able?" or "What can?" This is an emphatic negative, expressing deep doubt, bordering on scorn or disbelief. It indicates a firm preconception.
• anything good (τι ἀγαθὸν - ti agathon): "Anything good." Nathanael implies that nothing of any real value or significance, let alone the Messiah, could possibly come from such a place. This reflects cultural and regional bias.
• come out of (εἶναι ἐκ - einai ek): Literally "to be from," signifying origin, source, or belonging. It suggests that a person's worth is tied to their place of birth or origin.
• Nazareth (Ναζαρέτ - Nazaret): A small, obscure town in Galilee. Its lack of scriptural mention and generally low status among prominent Jewish centers fueled the prejudice. The name itself may have been associated with obscurity. This highlights the paradox of the Messiah's humble beginnings against expectations of a glorious, prestigious origin.
• Philip (Φίλιππος - Philippos): "Lover of horses." He is depicted as direct and earnest, quick to follow Jesus and eager to share the news with his friend. His method of evangelism here becomes a key takeaway.
• said to him (λέγει αὐτῷ - legei autō): Philip responds directly to Nathanael's challenge.
• "Come (Ἔρχου - Erchou): An imperative verb, a direct command. It is an invitation to move, to come closer.
• and see (καὶ ἴδε - kai ide): Another imperative verb. It implies direct observation, experience, and verification. This phrase moves beyond intellectual argument to personal encounter. Philip does not debate Nathanael's prejudice; he invites him to personal investigation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?": This phrase succinctly expresses the strong regional bias and dismissive attitude prevalent in some Jewish circles toward Galilee, and specifically Nazareth. It exemplifies how prejudice based on origin or background can hinder the recognition of divine truth. It implies a perceived correlation between geography/status and spiritual merit, which the Gospel implicitly challenges.
• "Come and see": This simple yet powerful phrase embodies a core principle of Christian evangelism and faith development. It’s an appeal to direct, personal experience rather than second-hand information, reputation, or preconceived notions. It acknowledges the need for verification and provides a clear path to discovering truth through encounter with Jesus himself. It suggests that the truth about Jesus is self-authenticating through direct experience.

John 1 46 Bonus section

• Nathanael's character is further illuminated by Jesus in the very next verse (Jn 1:47) where Jesus calls him "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" This statement highlights Nathanael's initial frank skepticism as honesty rather than malicious doubt. It makes his subsequent, immediate faith in Jesus even more significant after Jesus demonstrates His divine knowledge (Jn 1:48-49).
• The negative association with "Nazareth" ironically finds a fulfilling meaning in the prophetic title "Nazarene" (Matt 2:23), though its exact Old Testament reference is debated. This could refer to passages suggesting a humble, despised, or branch-like (Hebrew netzer) Messiah, subtly turning what was a scornful label into a prophetic identifier.
• The "Come and see" approach became a powerful model for early Christian witnessing and remains fundamental today. It relies on the transformative power of Jesus Christ himself, rather than clever arguments or coercive tactics, to win hearts and minds. It’s about creating an opportunity for others to experience the living Christ.

John 1 46 Commentary

John 1:46 stands as a powerful testament to the nature of truth, prejudice, and authentic invitation. Nathanael’s question, born of cultural and regional snobbery, reflects a common human tendency to prejudge based on superficial characteristics. Nazareth, being an insignificant and unmentioned village in the Old Testament, was deemed an impossible origin for the long-awaited Messiah. This skepticism highlights a critical tension: divine truth often unfolds in unexpected and humble ways, challenging human expectations of grandeur.

Philip’s response, "Come and see," bypasses intellectual debate entirely. He does not try to rationalize or refute Nathanael's prejudice. Instead, he extends an invitation to direct encounter. This phrase is a masterstroke of evangelism, advocating for firsthand experience with Christ as the ultimate disrupter of skepticism and bias. It encapsulates the core Christian principle that knowing Jesus is not primarily about accepting propositions, but about a personal, transformative relationship that is validated through experience. It also underscores Jesus' own self-revelation; those who truly seek will find and recognize Him for who He is. The power of "Come and see" lies in its simplicity, its emphasis on personal journey, and its trust in Jesus' ability to reveal His own divine nature.