John 1:49
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Study Note
Study Note
Nathanael's double acclamation — 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!' — leaps from initial skepticism ('Can anything good come from Nazareth?') to comprehensive christological confession upon Jesus's demonstration of foreknowledge. The two titles represent two trajectories: 'Son of God' spans the range from angelic being to divine identity in Hebrew and Greek usage, while 'King of Israel' is the specifically Davidic-messianic title (compare John 12:13). Jesus's response (1:50-51) gently corrects the adequacy of Nathanael's insight by pointing to greater things: the vision of the Son of Man as the cosmic axis of heaven and earth. The episode illustrates the Fourth Gospel's technique of progressive revelation through encounter, where each disclosure of Jesus opens onto a deeper horizon.
Other Translations
Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.
Nathanael answered and saith to him, `Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the king of Israel.'
Nathanael said to him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are King of Israel!
Cross References
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon …
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall …
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall …
And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; …
And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the …
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the …
But thou, Beth–lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come …
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, …
Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule …
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; …