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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Nathanael {G3482} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Can {G1410} there any {G5100} good thing {G18} come {G1511} out of {G1537} Nazareth {G3478}? Philip {G5376} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Come {G2064} and {G2532} see {G1492}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Natan’el answered him, “Natzeret? Can anything good come from there?” “Come and see,” Philip said to him.

Berean Standard Bible

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 1:46 captures a pivotal early exchange in Jesus' ministry, illustrating the human tendency toward prejudice and the powerful simplicity of an invitation to personal encounter. Nathanael, upon hearing of Jesus of Nazareth, expresses deep skepticism rooted in regional bias, questioning if anything good could originate from such an obscure place. Philip's concise yet profound response, "Come and see," bypasses debate, offering instead a direct path to experience and truth. This verse sets the stage for Nathanael's journey from doubt to profound recognition of Jesus' identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Philip's enthusiastic discovery of Jesus and his subsequent proclamation to Nathanael in [John 1:45](/john/1-45 "John 1:45 - Philip Finds Nathanael"). Philip identifies Jesus as "him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael's skeptical query in John 1:46 is a direct response to the mention of Nazareth. The narrative then progresses to Jesus' immediate and profound revelation of Nathanael's character and inner thoughts in [John 1:47-48](/john/1-47-48 "John 1:47-48 - Jesus' Knowledge of Nathanael"), culminating in Nathanael's declaration of faith in [John 1:49](/john/1-49 "John 1:49 - Nathanael's Confession of Faith"). This sequence highlights the transformative power of personal encounter with Christ over preconceived notions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nazareth was a small, unremarkable village in Galilee, a region often looked down upon by those in Judea, especially Jerusalem. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament, which contributed to its low standing. Jewish messianic expectations, shaped by prophecies like [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of Messiah's Birthplace"), typically pointed to Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace and Jerusalem as the center of His activity, not a humble Galilean town. The derogatory question "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" reflects a common regional prejudice and the prevailing belief that the Messiah would not emerge from such an obscure, unprophesied locale. This cultural bias underscores the unexpected nature of God's redemptive plan.
* **Key Themes:** John 1:46 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It introduces the theme of **prejudice and skepticism** hindering the recognition of truth, a recurring motif in the Gospel as people struggle to accept Jesus based on their expectations. Philip's response highlights the theme of **personal encounter and witness** as the most effective means of spiritual conviction, emphasizing that direct experience with Jesus transcends intellectual argument. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God working in unexpected ways and places**, challenging human assumptions and demonstrating that divine goodness is not confined by human biases or geographical origins, a truth echoed throughout Jesus' ministry, such as in the Samaritan woman's encounter in [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **agathós (Greek, _agathós'_):** This word, translated "good thing," refers to something inherently good, beneficial, or virtuous. Nathanael's question implies a complete absence of anything positive or valuable originating from Nazareth. His skepticism is not merely about the Messiah's origin but about the very possibility of any "good" emerging from such a despised place, revealing a deep-seated prejudice.
* **ek (Greek, _ek'_):** Meaning "out of" or "from," this preposition emphasizes origin. Nathanael's query specifically targets Nazareth as the source, suggesting that its low reputation contaminates anything associated with it. It highlights the geographical and social prejudice that defined Nathanael's initial judgment.
* **eídō (Greek, _eídō'_):** Translated "see," this verb implies not just physical sight but also perception, understanding, and even knowing. Philip's imperative "Come and see" is an invitation to a direct, personal experience that leads to conviction and knowledge. It suggests that true understanding of Jesus comes through direct engagement, rather than through secondhand reports or preconceived notions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Nathanael said unto him":** This introduces Nathanael's immediate, unvarnished reaction to Philip's news. The directness of his speech underscores his deep-seated skepticism and the common perception of Nazareth.
* **"Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?":** This is a rhetorical question, expressing Nathanael's profound doubt and prejudice. It implies a strong negative expectation, suggesting that Nazareth is so insignificant or disreputable that it could not possibly produce anything of value, let alone the Messiah. This reveals the human tendency to judge based on origin or reputation rather than intrinsic worth.
* **"Philip saith unto him":** This transition highlights Philip's calm and wise response, contrasting with Nathanael's skepticism.
* **"Come and see.":** This simple yet profound imperative is Philip's evangelistic strategy. Instead of engaging in a theological debate or defending Nazareth's reputation, Philip invites Nathanael to experience Jesus directly. It is a call to personal investigation, direct encounter, and experiential knowledge, suggesting that the most compelling evidence for Jesus is found in Him alone.

#### Literary Devices
John 1:46 masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, found in Nathanael's "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" This question is not seeking information but expresses a strong, prejudiced opinion, anticipating a negative answer. There is also significant **Contrast** between Nathanael's skepticism and Philip's confident invitation, and between the low reputation of Nazareth and the profound reality of Jesus' identity. **Irony** is also present, as the "good thing" (Jesus, the Messiah) *did* indeed come from Nazareth, defying Nathanael's prejudiced assumption. Finally, Philip's "Come and see" functions as a direct **Imperative**, a command and an invitation that cuts through intellectual barriers to call for personal experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 1:46 powerfully illustrates the clash between human prejudice and divine revelation. Nathanael's skepticism, rooted in regional bias, reflects a common human tendency to judge based on external appearances or preconceived notions rather than discerning true spiritual worth. Yet, Philip's response, "Come and see," embodies a fundamental theological principle: genuine faith often blossoms from personal encounter with the living Christ, transcending intellectual arguments or societal biases. God frequently chooses to work through unexpected means and humble origins, challenging human expectations and demonstrating that His power and goodness are not limited by human logic or social standing. This encounter foreshadows how Jesus' ministry would consistently defy conventional wisdom, revealing God's kingdom breaking into the world in surprising ways.

* [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Prophecy of Bethlehem")
* [Isaiah 53:2-3](/isaiah/53-2-3 "Messiah's Humble Appearance")
* [John 7:41-42](/john/7-41-42 "Debate on Messiah's Origin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 1:46 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. First, it serves as a stark warning against the dangers of prejudice and preconceived notions. How often do we dismiss people, ideas, or even spiritual truths based on their origin, appearance, or reputation, rather than truly engaging with them? Nathanael's initial blindness reminds us that our biases can prevent us from recognizing God's work in unexpected places and through unexpected people. Second, Philip's simple yet profound invitation, "Come and see," provides a powerful model for evangelism and discipleship. Instead of engaging in endless debates or trying to force intellectual assent, our primary call is to invite others to personally encounter Jesus. The most compelling evidence for Christ's transformative power is often a direct, personal experience of His love, truth, and grace. This verse encourages us to be open-minded, to challenge our own biases, and to extend genuine invitations for others to discover the "good thing" that is Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or prejudices might be preventing me from seeing God's work in unexpected places or people today?**
* **How can I adopt Philip's "Come and see" approach in my own witness and invitations to others, focusing on personal encounter rather than argument?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to move from skepticism or second-hand information to direct, personal experience with Christ?**

### FAQ
**Was Nazareth truly a bad place, or was Nathanael simply prejudiced?**

Answer: Nazareth was not inherently "bad" in a moral sense, but it was a small, obscure, and economically insignificant village in Galilee, a region often viewed with disdain by those in Judea, particularly Jerusalem. It held no historical or prophetic significance in Jewish tradition, unlike Bethlehem or Jerusalem. Nathanael's question, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?", reflects a common regional prejudice and the prevailing Jewish expectation that the Messiah would not emerge from such an unprophesied, humble locale. His skepticism was rooted in cultural and geographical bias rather than any objective assessment of Nazareth's moral character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 1:46 finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the person of Jesus Himself, who is the ultimate "good thing" that came from Nazareth, defying all human expectations and prejudices. His humble origin, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 53:2-3](/isaiah/53-2-3 "Isaiah 53:2-3 - Messiah's Humble Appearance"), where he is described as having "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him," underscores God's chosen method of redemption. Jesus, the Son of God, willingly embraced this humble beginning to identify with humanity and to demonstrate that God's power is made perfect in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power in Weakness")). Philip's invitation, "Come and see," is ultimately an invitation to encounter the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one who reveals the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus Reveals the Father")), and the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). Nathanael's subsequent confession in [John 1:49](/john/1-49 "John 1:49 - Nathanael's Confession of Faith")—"Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"—demonstrates that truly "seeing" Jesus leads to recognizing His divine identity and messianic kingship, fulfilling the very purpose for which He came from Nazareth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 7:52

They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

John 7:41

Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

John 7:42

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

John 4:29

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Luke 4:28

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

Luke 4:29

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.