JHN 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43The next day he purposed to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me." [1:44] Now Philip was from Bethsaida, from the city of Andrew and Peter. [1:45] Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found the one Moses wrote of in the Law, and the Prophets — Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth." [1:46] And Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." [1:47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said concerning him, "Look — truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." [1:48] Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you." [1:49] Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God — you are the King of Israel." [1:50] Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe? You will see greater things than these." [1:51] And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you — you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Galilee, regional identities carried significant weight. Nathanael’s skepticism about Nazareth reflects a common perception of the town as insignificant and unremarkable, lacking any notable heritage or prophetic expectation. Philip’s response, “Come and see,” mirrors the Jewish tradition of personal witness and verification, emphasizing direct experience over hearsay. Jesus’ recognition of Nathanael as a “true Israelite” invokes the ideal of Jacob/Israel, suggesting Nathanael’s integrity and faithfulness to God’s covenant. The mention of Moses and the prophets points to the Jewish expectation of a Messiah rooted in Scripture, a figure who would fulfill divine promises. Jesus’ claim to have seen Nathanael under the fig tree, a symbol of peace and prosperity in Jewish thought, underscores his divine insight and authority. The double “Amen” reinforces the solemnity and truth of Jesus’ declaration, aligning him with prophetic tradition and divine revelation.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

JHN 1:43

KJV: The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
BSB: The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.”
Koinōnos: The next day he purposed to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me.

JHN 1:44

KJV: Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
BSB: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.
Koinōnos: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, from the city of Andrew and Peter.

JHN 1:45

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.
BSB: Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Koinōnos: Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found the one Moses wrote of in the Law, and the Prophets — Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.

JHN 1:46

KJV: And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
BSB: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
Koinōnos: And Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see.

JHN 1:47

KJV: Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
BSB: When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”
Koinōnos: Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said concerning him, "Look — truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.

JHN 1:48

KJV: 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.
BSB: “How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Koinōnos: Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you.

JHN 1:49

KJV: Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
BSB: “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Koinōnos: Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God — you are the King of Israel.

JHN 1:50

KJV: Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
BSB: Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”
Koinōnos: Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe? You will see greater things than these.

JHN 1:51

KJV: And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
BSB: Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Koinōnos: And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you — you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

JHN 1:43

He desired:The word translated 'He desired' here implies a strong, intentional act of will or purpose, not merely a passive wish or preference.

JHN 1:46

good thing:The term translated 'good thing' here refers to something inherently good in quality or character, often implying moral excellence or benefit.

JHN 1:47

an Israelite:The word translated 'an Israelite' here emphasizes a person's identity as a member of God's chosen people, carrying connotations of covenant and privilege.

JHN 1:51

Amen:The word 'Amen' is a Hebrew affirmation adopted into Greek, signifying truth, certainty, and solemn agreement, often used to introduce a weighty or authoritative statement.