One of Jesus's earliest disciples, Nathanael came to follow Jesus following an invitation by Philip (Jn 1:45). Nathanael was at first skeptical—having learned the fact from Philip—that anything good could come out of Nazareth? (v46). Yet the moment he met Jesus, Jesus assessed him as "a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false" (v47). That is high complements indeed, and speaks of Nathanael's character. We get a further peek at his perceptiveness when, soon after the conversation with Jesus began, he recognized Jesus for being the "Son of God, king of Israel" (v49). Nathanael is not mentioned again in John's Gosepl until the post-resurrection encounter of the disciples with Jesus by the Sea of Tiberias (21:2). Here we learn too that he hailed from Cana.
Nathanael is not mentioned—at least not by this name—in the other three Gospels. Some commentators suggest that Nathanael was simply the personal name of Bartholomew; in all three occurrences of Bartholomew's name in the Synoptic Gospels (Matt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:14) it appears always next to Philip's, suggesting a close relationship between them.
CONCORDANCE (NIV)
John 1:45-40 (5x) — "Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' 'Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked. 'Come and see,' said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.' 'How do you know me?' Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.' Then Nathanael declared, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.'"
Jn 21:2 — "[Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:] Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together."
©ALBERITH