The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What was the reason for Nathanael's question?

In John 1:45-51 we read about Philip founding Nathanael and telling him that they have found the Messiah of whom it is written in the Law and the Prophets. Nathanael's answer to Philip was: Can anything good come out of Nazareth?".

A while ago we had a sermon on John 1:45-51 and the pastor made quite a lot of it that Nathanael's question to Philip was because he was in doubt, almost like the case of Thomas after Jesus' ressurection. The pastor used this interpretation of Nathanael's question to make a connection about various kinds doubts that believers might have.

This interpretation of Nathanael's question bothered me a lot. The pastor also suggested that maybe Nathanael was not really informed on the Scriptures which I also think was not the case. The fact that Philip was so sure that they found the Messiah and that Philip could easily tell that to Nathanael suggests to me that both must have known the prophecies about the Messiah. Nathanael knew what Philip was talking about.

However, since it is clear from Micah 5:1 that the Messiah will come from Bethlehem, it seems to me that Nathanael's question was completely valid since he did not expect, according to Scripture, that the Messiah will come from Nazareth as Philip suggested. In stead of Nathanael's question implying doubt, it more seems to me it shows his knowledge of the Law and the Prophets. He had reason to ask the question.

Is this interpretation correct???

Johan

Johan,

I agree with your criticism of what the pastor said concerning Nathaniel, i.e., his problem was "doubt". When I read that account I do not see any doubt whatsoever in regard to the coming of the Messiah, but rather he questioned the validity of Philip's report that the Messiah was from Nazareth. The problem was his ignorance of the Scriptures in regard to this matter and nothing more. Notice that in the next verse (47) it shows that Nathaniel followed Philip who was taking him to Jesus. This alone indicates that Nathaniel at least was not fraught with doubt and unbelief. However, more telling is what we read in v. 49 where it is recorded that Nathaniel made an immediate confession of faith. And then in the very next verse (50), Jesus praises him for his faith.

Thanks!!