Nathanael

Nathanael — spelled Nathaniel in the UPDV — is one of the early disciples of Jesus. He is brought to Jesus by Philip and confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel after a brief exchange in which Jesus shows knowledge of where he had been before being called.

Brought by Philip

Philip's announcement opens the scene with a claim that Jesus is the figure of whom Moses and the prophets wrote: "Philip finds Nathaniel, and says to him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (Joh 1:45). Nathaniel meets the announcement with skepticism tied to Jesus' hometown: "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip's reply is one line: "Come and see" (Joh 1:46).

"An Israelite Indeed"

When Nathaniel approaches, Jesus speaks first about him before he has identified himself: "Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him, and says of him, Look, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" (Joh 1:47). Nathaniel asks how Jesus knows him, and the answer turns on a previous moment of unseen sight: "Nathaniel says to him, From where do you know me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you" (Joh 1:48).

The Confession

Nathaniel's response is a double title: "Nathaniel answered him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are King of Israel" (Joh 1:49). He moves from skepticism about Nazareth to confession in the span of one exchange.