John Calvin 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)

Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? At first, Nathanael refuses, the place of Christ’s nativity (as described by Philip) having given him offense. But, first of all, he is deceived by the thoughtless words of Philip; for what Philip foolishly believed, Nathanael receives as certain. Next, a foolish judgment is added, arising from hatred or contempt of the place.

Both of these points should be carefully observed by us. This holy man was not far from barring himself from all approach to Christ. Why was this? Because he rashly believed what Philip spoke incorrectly about Christ; and next, because his mind was under the influence of a preconceived opinion that no good thing could come out of Nazareth.

If, then, we are not carefully on our guard, we will be liable to the same danger. And Satan labors every day, by similar obstacles, to hinder us from coming to Christ. For he has the dexterity to spread many falsehoods, which tend to excite our hatred or suspicion against the Gospel, so that we may not venture to taste it.

And next, he does not cease to try another method: namely, to make us look on Christ with contempt. For we see how many take offense at the degradation of the cross, which appears both in Christ the head and in his members. But since we can hardly be so cautious as to avoid being tempted by these stratagems of Satan, let us at least immediately remember this caution:

Come and see. Nathanael allowed his twofold error to be corrected by this expression which Philip uttered. Following his example, let us first show ourselves to be submissive and obedient; and next, let us not shrink from inquiry when Christ himself is ready to remove the doubts which harass us. Those who read these words not as a question, but as an affirmation, Some good thing may come out of Nazareth, are greatly mistaken. For, in the first place, how trivial would such an observation be? And next, we know that the city Nazareth was not at that time held in high esteem; and Philip’s reply shows plainly enough that it was expressive of hesitation and distrust.