Nathanael

Why did Nathanael say, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth” (John 1:46)?
A Roman garrison was stationed in Nazareth. The Jewish men who made money doing business with the Roman soldiers were considered traitorous collaborators, while the women who did the same were considered worse.

How would Nathanael know that?
This Nathanael is most likely the "Nathanael of Cana in Galilee" mentioned in John 21:2, so he would be familiar with Nazareth, which is only 6 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of his hometown of Cana. And since the passage above is in the context of Jesus meeting the men who will become His apostles, and since John 21:2 names two of His apostles just before and two of His apostles just after Nathanael, Nathanael most likely became one of Jesus' twelve apostles as well, in which case "Nathanael" is the first name of "Bartholomew," which is a Hebrew surname that literally means the "son of" (Bar) Tholomew, and whom the Bible tends to mention with Philip, who also became Jesus' apostle (see Judas).

What do you think of Nathanael’s initial reaction to what Philip told him?
It was based on his unqualified impressions - i.e., prejudices - against all people from Nazareth ("Nazarenes" - see He shall be called a Nazarene).

How did Philip respond?
He told Nathanael to “come and see” (John 1:46) Jesus for himself.

How applicable is his advice for people today?
Most people who don’t believe in Jesus base their beliefs or the lack of it also on unqualified impressions. They may have heard people who claim to know the Bible talk about it, but they have never studied the evidence - the Bible - for themselves. To them, Philip's invitation to “come and see” Jesus - the Word of God - for themselves applies as much today as it did to Nathanael two thousand years ago.

What trait did Jesus praise about Nathanael?
Honesty: “Look, truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (John 1:47).

What other traits did Jesus praise in people?
Faith in Him: And when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, begging Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, terribly tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having under me soldiers. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled and said to those following, “Truly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:5-10), sacrificial service (see Spikenard), etc.

Did Jesus ever praise people’s personal wealth or physical beauty?
No.

How about their nice house, car, clothes or ability to play with a ball?
 

What traits do you admire in people?
 

Who is “the Son of Man” (John 1:51)?
See Son of Man.