John 1:43-51 – Philip and Nathanael Called
Quick Summary
In John 1:43-51, Jesus calls Philip to follow him, and Philip in turn invites Nathanael with the words “Come and see.” At first skeptical, Nathanael confesses Jesus as the Son of God after their encounter. This passage highlights the contagious nature of discipleship, the breaking of prejudices, and the promise that followers will see even greater things.
Introduction
The first chapter of John’s Gospel closes with another story of calling. Following Andrew, Peter, and the unnamed disciple, we now meet Philip and Nathanael. Once again, discipleship is not an abstract idea but a chain of personal encounters. One person tells another, and faith spreads through simple invitations.
This short passage shows both the doubts and the discoveries that accompany faith. Nathanael begins with skepticism but ends with confession. The story also anticipates Jesus’ role as the one who opens heaven itself, fulfilling themes introduced in the John 1 prologue. Let’s walk through John 1:43-51 verse by verse, seeing how Jesus calls, how disciples invite, and how God reveals.
Learn More: in the “Related Content” section below, you will see links to other articles specifically about Andrew, Nathanael, and Philip.
John 1:43-51 Explained Verse by Verse with Commentary
John 1:43: Jesus said, “Follow me.”
“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’” (John 1:43)
Jesus takes the initiative in Philip’s calling. Unlike Andrew and the others who came through John the Baptist’s witness (John 1:35-37), Philip is directly summoned. The simple command, “Follow me,” echoes through the Gospels (Matthew 4:19) and remains at the heart of Christian discipleship. (Carson, John 1; Brown, John 1.)
Philip’s immediate response reminds us of other moments where ordinary people left everything to follow Jesus, such as the calling of fishermen later narrated in John 21. Following is not just belief—it is action. (Keener, John 1.)
John 1:44-45
“Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’” (John 1:44-45)
Bethsaida is a small fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, also home to Andrew and Peter (John 1:40). This cluster of disciples shows how relationships are the soil in which faith grows. (Köstenberger, John 1.)
Philip’s testimony is striking: he identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the Scriptures. This anticipates themes in John 5, where Jesus insists that Moses and the prophets point to him. Philip frames Jesus as the one long expected, tying the Gospel back to the law and prophets. (O’Day, John 1.)
John 1:46
“Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” (John 1:46)
Nathanael’s skepticism shows how easy it is to dismiss God’s work when it comes from unexpected places. Nazareth was an obscure village with no prophetic reputation. His reaction echoes how people later stumble over Jesus in John 7, doubting his authority because of his origins. (Brown, John 1.)
Philip’s response, “Come and see,” matches Jesus’ earlier invitation in John 1:39. Discipleship is not about winning arguments but about extending invitations. It also anticipates the Samaritan woman’s witness in John 4, who tells her neighbors, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done.” (Keener, John 1; O’Day, John 1.)
John 1:47-48
“When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you get to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’” (John 1:47-48)
Jesus’ description of Nathanael highlights sincerity. Unlike Jacob, who was known for deception (Genesis 27), Nathanael is portrayed as a true Israelite without guile. The fig tree may symbolize peace and study of the Scriptures (Micah 4:4), but the main point is Jesus’ supernatural knowledge. (Carson, John 1; Keener, John 1.)
Here we see a theme that will surface repeatedly in John: Jesus knows people before they know him. This theme reappears with the Samaritan woman (John 4:29) and with Peter after the resurrection (John 21:17). (Brown, John 1.)
John 1:49
“Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’” (John 1:49)
Nathanael’s confession escalates quickly from doubt to devotion. His titles—“Son of God” and “King of Israel”—connect to messianic hopes, echoing Psalm 2:7 and Zephaniah 3:15. Later confessions, like Peter’s in John 6:68-69, build on this recognition. (O’Day, John 1; Köstenberger, John 1.)
This moment mirrors other turning points in John where individuals move from skepticism to belief, such as Thomas’ confession in John 20:28. Faith often comes suddenly, catalyzed by personal encounter. (Keener, John 1.)
John 1:50-51
“Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’” (John 1:50-51)
Jesus promises Nathanael that this initial sign of knowledge is just the beginning. The reference to angels ascending and descending recalls Jacob’s ladder in Genesis 28:12. Here, Jesus himself is the link between heaven and earth. (Brown, John 1; Carson, John 1.)
This vision anticipates the signs and revelations throughout John’s Gospel, from turning water into wine at Cana (John 2) to the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11). Jesus himself is the new Bethel, the dwelling of God with humanity. (Keener, John 1; Köstenberger, John 1.)
John 1:43-51 Meaning for Today
This passage reminds us that discipleship spreads relationally. Philip tells Nathanael, just as Andrew told Peter. Faith grows when people are willing to say, “Come and see.”
It also teaches us that doubts are not barriers to faith. Nathanael’s skepticism is met not with scorn but with revelation. In the same way, our honest questions can become the soil of deeper trust.
Finally, Jesus’ promise of “greater things” still stands. To follow him is to see God’s kingdom breaking into the world, sometimes in unexpected and hidden ways. Our calling is to keep following, keep inviting, and keep watching for heaven’s doors to open.
FAQ: John 1:43-51
Why does Nathanael doubt that anything good can come from Nazareth?
Nazareth was an insignificant town with no prophetic reputation. His doubt reflects common prejudices of the time. (Brown, John 1.)
What does “Come and see” mean here?
It echoes Jesus’ earlier words in John 1:39 and highlights that discipleship is experiential—faith grows through encounter, not debate. (Keener, John 1.)
What does Jesus mean about angels ascending and descending?
He is referencing Jacob’s ladder in Genesis 28, but applying it to himself. Jesus is the connection between heaven and earth, God’s presence among humanity. (Carson, John 1; Köstenberger, John 1.)
What titles does Nathanael use for Jesus?
He calls him “Son of God” and “King of Israel,” both titles loaded with messianic significance and echoed elsewhere in John’s Gospel. (O’Day, John 1.)
Sources / Further Reading
Raymond E. Brown, John (AYB), John 1
D. A. Carson, John (PNTC), John 1
Gail R. O’Day, John (NIB), John 1
Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of John, John 1
Andreas J. Köstenberger, John (BECNT), John 1
