John 1:45

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Philip {G5376} findeth {G2147} Nathanael {G3482}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, We have found {G2147} him, of whom {G3739} Moses {G3475} in {G1722} the law {G3551}, and {G2532} the prophets {G4396}, did write {G1125}, Jesus {G2424} of {G575} Nazareth {G3478}, the son {G5207} of Joseph {G2501}.

Philip found Natan’el and told him, “We’ve found the one that Moshe wrote about in the Torah, also the Prophets — it’s Yeshua Ben-Yosef from Natzeret!”

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Context

This verse immediately follows Philip's own encounter with Jesus, where Jesus called him to "Follow me" (John 1:43). Filled with excitement and conviction, Philip's first impulse is to share his extraordinary discovery with a close friend, Nathanael. This highlights the early disciples' personal and immediate witness to Jesus' identity.

Key Themes

  • Personal Evangelism: Philip's spontaneous act of finding Nathanael demonstrates the natural overflow of a genuine encounter with Christ. He doesn't wait for a formal invitation but eagerly shares his newfound faith.
  • Messianic Expectation: Philip's declaration, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write," directly addresses the deep-seated hope among the Jewish people for the coming Messiah. This statement grounds Jesus' identity in the long-awaited fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, a central theme in the Gospel of John.
  • Jesus' Identity: Philip confidently identifies Jesus as the promised one, linking Him both to the divine prophecies and to His earthly, recognizable origin as "Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." This dual identification sets the stage for Nathanael's initial skepticism and Jesus' subsequent revelation of His true nature.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "We have found him" (Greek: heurēkamen) conveys a sense of certainty and discovery, reflecting the disciples' growing conviction that Jesus was indeed the awaited Messiah. Philip's reference to "Moses in the law, and the prophets" encapsulates the entire Old Testament scriptures, emphasizing that Jesus is the culmination of centuries of divine revelation. The mention of "the son of Joseph" reflects the common understanding of Jesus's earthly parentage, a detail that would later become a point of discussion and even contention, particularly in contrast to His divine sonship.

Related Scriptures

Philip's statement about Moses and the prophets writing of Jesus points to numerous Old Testament prophecies. For instance, Moses himself foretold of a prophet like him (Deuteronomy 18:15). The prophets, such as Isaiah and Micah, provided details about the Messiah's birth, life, and mission (e.g., Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2). Philip's seemingly straightforward presentation of Jesus as "of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" immediately provokes Nathanael's famous skeptical question, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46), setting up the next crucial interaction.

Practical Application

John 1:45 serves as a powerful reminder of the call to personal evangelism. Philip didn't give a theological treatise but simply shared his personal encounter and conviction. His enthusiasm and directness are a model for believers today to share their faith. Furthermore, the verse underscores the importance of understanding Jesus in light of God's unfolding plan throughout history, demonstrating that He is not merely a historical figure but the fulfillment of divine promise.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 18:18

    I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

  • Deuteronomy 18:22

    When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

  • Luke 24:27

    And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

  • Micah 5:2

    But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

  • Matthew 2:23

    And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back