Devine Scripture

John 1:46

What does John 1:46 mean?

A plain-English look at John 1:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 1:46 means

Nathanael's skeptical response, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" reveals a common prejudice against cities viewed as insignificant or morally questionable, typical of the first century. This highlights the human tendency to pre-judge based on origin rather than evidence. Philip's simple yet wise reply, "Come and see," bypasses argument and offers a direct invitation to personal encounter, emphasizing that firsthand experience with Jesus is the best way to overcome prejudice and doubt.

John 1:46 in context

John 1 — The Word Made Flesh

John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.

  • Pre-existence of Christ
  • Incarnation
  • Light and life
  • First disciples

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Nazareth! said Nathanael, Is it possible for any good to come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Nathanael said to him, `Out of Nazareth is any good thing able to be?' Philip said to him, `Come and see.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Nathanael said to him: Can any thing of good come from Nazareth? Philip saith to him: Come and see.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse presents Nathanael’s immediate, prejudiced reaction to Philip’s announcement in verse 45. His skepticism regarding Nazareth serves as a relatable human obstacle to faith, setting up a situation where personal experience is needed to overcome preconceived notions. Philip’s direct invitation—"Come and see"—is crucial, as it leads Nathanael directly into his own transformative encounter with Jesus, bringing the narrative to a point of direct confrontation between skepticism and divine revelation.

v.45Philip 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.

v.46This passage

v.47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 4:29

    Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21

    prove all things; hold fast that which is good;

  • Luke 12:57

    And why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

  • John 7:52

    They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

  • John 7:41

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

Sermon ideas from John 1:46

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What John 1:46 teaches us about pre-existence of christ

  • What John 1:46 teaches us about incarnation

  • What John 1:46 teaches us about light and life

  • What John 1:46 teaches us about first disciples

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