John 1:45
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Original Language Analysis
Φίλιππος
Philip
G5376
Φίλιππος
Philip
Strong's:
G5376
Word #:
2 of 25
fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ναθαναὴλ
Nathanael
G3482
Ναθαναὴλ
Nathanael
Strong's:
G3482
Word #:
4 of 25
nathanal (i.e., nathanel), an israelite and christian
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ὃν
him of whom
G3739
Ὃν
him of whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 25
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔγραψεν
did write
G1125
ἔγραψεν
did write
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
9 of 25
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Μωσῆς
Moses
G3475
Μωσῆς
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
10 of 25
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμῳ
the law
G3551
νόμῳ
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
13 of 25
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφῆται
the prophets
G4396
προφῆται
the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
16 of 25
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
18 of 25
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
the son
G5207
υἱὸν
the son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
20 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 24:27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.Luke 24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.Matthew 2:23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Zechariah 9:9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.Luke 4:22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Isaiah 53:2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.Zechariah 6:12And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Historical Context
The Old Testament contains extensive messianic prophecy—the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), Shiloh (Genesis 49:10), the Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), and countless prophetic predictions. Philip rightly sees Jesus as the fulfillment of all these threads. His appeal to Scripture models apologetic method—Christ is validated by ancient prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does seeing Jesus throughout the Old Testament enrich your understanding of Scripture?
- How can we effectively combine personal testimony with biblical witness in evangelism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Philip finds Nathanael with testimony grounded in Scripture: 'We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth.' This connects Jesus to the entire Old Testament witness—the law (Pentateuch) and the prophets testify of Him. Philip's evangelism combines personal witness ('we have found') with scriptural foundation ('Moses and the prophets'). Effective witness connects personal experience with biblical authority.