Charles Ellicott Commentary John 1:46

"And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." — John 1:46 (ASV)

The question is not, "Can the Messiah come out of Nazareth?" but "Can there any good thing come?" The question is asked by an inhabitant of a neighboring village who looks upon the familiar town with some local jealousy and scorn; but the form of the question seems to point to a bad reputation regarding its people. The place is unknown to earlier history, and is not mentioned even by Josephus; but what we find in Mark 6:6 and Luke 4:29 agrees with Nathanael’s opinion. (For an account of the town, compare the note on Luke 1:26.)

Come and see expresses the fullness of his own conviction. An interview had brought certainty to his own mind. It would do so for his friend as well.