Nathanael in the Bible — Can Any Good Thing Come From Nazareth?

Nathanael was from Cana in Galilee, identified by many scholars with the apostle Bartholomew. When Philip told him they had found the Messiah from Nazareth, Nathanael's honest response: 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' Philip's answer was Jesus's own: 'Come and see.' When Jesus saw him approaching, he declared: 'Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!' Astonished that Jesus knew him, Nathanael asked how. Jesus replied: 'Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.' Nathanael's immediate response: 'Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.' Below are 6 key passages from the King James Version (KJV) on this theme.

What does the Bible say about nathanael?

Who is Nathanael in the Bible? The Israelite 'in whom there is no guile' — brought to Jesus by Philip with the honest question 'Can any good thing come from Nazareth?' — whose doubt was dissolved by three words from Jesus: 'I saw thee under the fig tree.'

6 Bible Verses About Nathanael (KJV)

“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 1:45 KJV Read John chapter 1 →

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

John 1:46 KJV Read John chapter 1 →

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

John 1:47 KJV Read John chapter 1 →

“Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.”

John 1:48 KJV Read John chapter 1 →

“Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”

John 1:49 KJV Read John chapter 1 →

“There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.”

John 21:2 KJV Read John chapter 21 →

Read These Passages in Full Context

Frequently Asked Questions About Nathanael in the Bible

What does the Bible say about nathanael?
Nathanael was from Cana in Galilee, identified by many scholars with the apostle Bartholomew. When Philip told him they had found the Messiah from Nazareth, Nathanael's honest response: 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' Philip's answer was Jesus's own: 'Come and see.' When Jesus saw him approaching, he declared: 'Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!' Astonished that Jesus knew him, Nathanael asked how. Jesus replied: 'Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.' Nathanael's immediate response: 'Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.' Key KJV passages: John 1:45, John 1:46, John 1:47, John 1:48, John 1:49.
What are the best Bible verses about nathanael?
The most important KJV passages on nathanael include: John 1:45, John 1:46, John 1:47, John 1:48, John 1:49. Read all 6 passages free at The Living Sword Bible — no account, no ads.
Where in the Bible does it talk about nathanael?
The Bible addresses nathanael throughout both Testaments. Key references include John 1:45, John 1:46, John 1:47, John 1:48, John 1:49, John 21:2. Explore every passage in context at thelivingsword.org.
What does the New Testament say about nathanael?
New Testament scriptures on nathanael: John 1:45, John 1:46, John 1:47, John 1:48. Read them free at The Living Sword Bible.
How do I study Bible verses about nathanael?
The Living Sword Bible app offers word-by-word study with original Hebrew and Greek, multiple translations (KJV, World English Bible, Geneva Bible, Young's Literal, ASV, Darby), cross-references, and an AI companion that answers only from Scripture. Read all 6 passages on nathanael at thelivingsword.org — free, no account, no download required.

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Available translations: King James Version (KJV), World English Bible (WEB), Geneva Bible 1599, Darby Translation, Young's Literal Translation (YLT), American Standard Version (ASV), and the Living Sword Translation.