John 1:49
What does John 1:49 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:49 means
Overwhelmed by Jesus' omniscience, Nathanael immediately abandons his skepticism and makes a powerful confession: "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art King of Israel." This rapid spiritual insight demonstrates a profound recognition of Jesus' dual identity—as a revered Teacher (Rabbi) and, more importantly, as the divine Son of God (Messiah) and the promised King. Nathanael's confession is a foundational statement of faith, revealing his spiritual awakening.
John 1:49 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 · 2000Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Nathanael said to him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are King of Israel!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Nathanael answered and saith to him, `Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the king of Israel.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Nathanael answered him and said: Rabbi: Thou art the Son of God. Thou art the King of Israel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, thou art the Son ofGod, thou art the King of Israel.
Context
Following Jesus' profound display of supernatural knowledge in verse 48, this verse captures Nathanael's immediate and dramatic shift from skepticism to profound faith. His confession, spanning both Jesus' divine sonship and messianic kingship, is a pivotal moment, confirming the effectiveness of Jesus' self-revelation. This foundational declaration sets the stage for Jesus to promise even greater future revelations of His divine nature to Nathanael and the other disciples, as detailed in the closing verse.
v.48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
v.49This passage
v.50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:38
And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou?
- Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.
- Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
- Zechariah 6:12
and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Jehovah;
- Hosea 3:5
afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek Jehovah their God, and David their king, and shall come with fear unto Jehovah and to his goodness in the latter days.
- Matthew 27:42
He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him.
Sermon ideas from John 1:49
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:49 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:49 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:49 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:49 teaches us about first disciples
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