John 1:46

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Commentary on John 1:46 (KJV)

John 1:46 presents a pivotal early encounter in Jesus' ministry, highlighting human skepticism and the power of personal invitation. The verse reads: "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."

Historical and Cultural Context

This dialogue takes place shortly after Philip has found Nathanael and proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, identifying Him as "the son of Joseph, of Nazareth." Nathanael's immediate, rhetorical question, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" reflects a common perception of the time. Nazareth was a small, obscure town in Galilee, unmentioned in the Old Testament and likely held in low regard by many, especially those from more prominent regions or towns like Cana (Nathanael's hometown, John 21:2). Jewish expectations for the Messiah often centered on Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) or Jerusalem, not a humble Galilean village. This prejudice against Nazareth sets the stage for Nathanael's initial doubt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Skepticism and Prejudice: Nathanael's question reveals a human tendency to judge individuals or ideas based on their perceived origin or reputation, rather than their intrinsic worth. It's a classic example of preconceived notions hindering the recognition of truth.
  • The Power of Personal Invitation: Philip's response, "Come and see," is profound in its simplicity and effectiveness. Instead of engaging in a theological debate or defending Nazareth's reputation, Philip invites Nathanael to experience Jesus directly. This emphasizes that personal encounter often trumps argument when it comes to spiritual truth.
  • Truth Transcends Expectation: The narrative implicitly teaches that God often works in unexpected ways and places, challenging human biases and demonstrating that His goodness is not limited by human prejudices or geographical origins. The "good thing" (Jesus Christ) indeed came from Nazareth.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "Come and see" is Erchou kai ide (ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε). It is a direct, imperative invitation, not a suggestion. It conveys a sense of urgency and a call to personal investigation and experience. Philip isn't just asking Nathanael to observe, but to engage personally with Jesus.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it warns against allowing prejudice or preconceived notions to blind us to truth or goodness, whether in people, places, or spiritual matters. Secondly, Philip's method serves as a powerful model for evangelism: rather than forcing arguments, we are called to invite others to personally "come and see" Jesus for themselves. The most compelling evidence for Christ is often a direct, personal experience of His transformative power. Nathanael's journey from skepticism to belief, as seen in the following verses (John 1:47-51), underscores the effectiveness of this approach.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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