Keraia
John 1

John 1:47

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael · John 1:43–51
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Translations

Modern
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”
Traditional
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Literal
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and He says about him, “Behold, truly an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”
Latin
Vidit Jesus Nathanaël venientem ad se, et dicit de eo: Ecce vere Israëlita, in quo dolus non est.

Interlinear

Greek
English
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”

Notes

John 1:47

Jesus described Nathanael as a true Israelite. He said there was no deceit (no dishonesty or trickery) in him.

This may contrast Nathanael with Jacob, whose early life was marked by deceit. Jacob later received the name Israel (see Genesis 25:27–34; 27:1–36; 32:22–32). In this way, Nathanael shows what God desires Israel to be. God wants his people to be an honest and faithful people.

John 1:35–51

This section introduces the model for discipleship in John’s Gospel. Disciples wanted to come and see Jesus, and when they met him, they stayed with him (1:39).

John 1:19–51

John’s Gospel focuses less on John the Baptist compared to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 3:1–6; Mark 1:2–6; Luke 1:1–24, 57–80; 3:1–13). However, the apostle John wants us to understand that John the Baptist correctly identified and honored Jesus.

John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. Jesus continued the work that John had begun. As the ministry of Jesus grew, John’s ministry became smaller, just as John had said (John 3:30).

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world Nathanael: Disciple of Jesus, from Cana in Galilee

Glossary

Anointed One, Anointed Ones Bartholomew, the Apostle Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Jesus Christ Jew John, Gospel of Meaning of Names in the Bible Nathanael Philip

Topics

Character of Saints: Guileless Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning Integrity: Nathanael, in Whom Was No Guile Jesus, the Christ by Nathanael Jesus, the Christ: Disciples Adhere To Nathanael: Becomes a Disciple of Jesus Obedience: Nathanael Perfection: Ascribed to Nathanael Philip: One of the Twelve Apostles: Brings Nathanael to Jesus Sincerity by Nathanael Sincerity: Nathanael