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John 1 · a question people ask

"Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (1:46). Why did Nathanael say that?

In the text

John's Gospel doesn't say. Philip told him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (1:45). "Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”" and Philip answered, "Come and see" (1:46). When Jesus saw him coming, he said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (1:47). The chapter gives no reason for Nathanael's question, and these notes don't add one. Philip names no passage of Moses or the prophets, and these notes don't name one for him.

The verses

“Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!””
John 1:45-47 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of John 1

John 1: In the beginning was the Word

John's Gospel has grace only in 1:14-17, and the WEB gives Word a capital only in 1:1 and 1:14. And one brings another: Andrew finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus, Philip finds Nathanael, and Philip answers him with the words Jesus spoke: "Come and see" (1:39, 1:46).

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Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions