When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching
This phrase highlights Jesus' divine omniscience, as He perceives Nathanael even before any interaction. Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, is from Cana in Galilee, a region known for its Jewish population. This encounter occurs shortly after Philip finds Nathanael and tells him about Jesus, indicating the early spread of Jesus' ministry. The act of approaching signifies Nathanael's willingness to investigate the claims about Jesus, reflecting a theme of seeking truth.

He said of him
Jesus' statement about Nathanael is made publicly, indicating the importance of Nathanael's character. This public acknowledgment by Jesus serves as a testament to Nathanael's integrity and sets the stage for the revelation of Jesus' insight into human hearts. It also demonstrates Jesus' role as a teacher who discerns and affirms the qualities of His followers.

Here is a true Israelite
The term "true Israelite" connects Nathanael to the patriarch Jacob, later named Israel, who was known for his struggles with God and men. This phrase suggests that Nathanael embodies the ideal characteristics of an Israelite, faithful and sincere in his devotion. It also implies a contrast with those Israelites who were not living up to their covenantal identity. This statement can be seen as a fulfillment of the promise to Abraham about his descendants being a blessing to the nations.

in whom there is no deceit
This phrase emphasizes Nathanael's honesty and integrity, qualities highly valued in Jewish culture. The reference to "no deceit" recalls Jacob's early life, where deceit was a significant theme, particularly in his interactions with Esau and Laban. By highlighting Nathanael's lack of deceit, Jesus is drawing a parallel to the transformation of Jacob into Israel, suggesting that Nathanael represents the renewed Israel. This also foreshadows the transformation Jesus brings to those who follow Him, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and sanctification.

1. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who recognizes Nathanael's character.

2. Nathanael
A man from Cana in Galilee, known for his honesty and integrity, who becomes one of Jesus' disciples.

3. Israelite
Refers to a descendant of Jacob (Israel), highlighting Nathanael's heritage and faithfulness.

4. Deceit
The absence of deceit in Nathanael is significant, as it contrasts with the deceitfulness often found in human nature.Integrity in Character
Nathanael is praised for his lack of deceit. As Christians, we are called to live lives of integrity, reflecting honesty in our words and actions.

True Identity
Jesus identifies Nathanael as a true Israelite, reminding us that our true identity is found in our relationship with God, not just our heritage or background.

Divine Recognition
Jesus' recognition of Nathanael's character shows that God sees and values our inner qualities. We should strive to cultivate a heart that pleases God.

Openness to Jesus
Nathanael's initial skepticism about Jesus ("Can anything good come out of Nazareth?") turns into faith when he encounters Jesus. We should remain open to God's work in unexpected ways and places.(47) Jesus saw Nathanael coming.--Nathanael is at once willing that his prejudice should give way before the force of truth. He is coming, when the look directed towards others rests also upon him. It finds the character which it tests earnest and honest. What gave rise to the form in which this is expressed is not stated. There is clearly some unexpressed link with the history of Jacob. The word for "guile" is the same word as the LXX. word for "subtlety" in Genesis 27:35. The thought then is, "Behold one who is true to the name of Israel, and in whom there is nothing of the Jacob (Genesis 27:36). There is something in the words which comes as a revelation to Nathanael. Were they a proof that the Presence before whom he stood read to the very depths of his own thought? Under the shade of a tree, where Jews were accustomed to retire for meditation and prayer, had the Old Testament history of Jacob been present to his mind? Was he too "left alone," and did he "prevail with God?" And does he now hear the inmost thought expressed in words, carrying certainty to his soul, and giving him too the victory of seeing God "face to face with life preserved?" (Genesis 32:24).

Verse 47. - Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him - for Nathanael at once obeyed the summons of Philip - and saith of him; not, to him - saith in the hearing of the unnamed disciple, who could not leave his Master's side. There are numerous indications in ch. 1 and 2 of a qualification of Jesus which, in John 2:25, is described as knowing what was in man. He read the thought and character of Simon and Philip, of Nathanael, and of his mother; and here he makes use of his Divine prerogative and, as on a multitude of other occasions, penetrated the surface to the inner motive and heart. Behold, an Israelite indeed; one who fulfils the true idea of Israel, a prince with God, a conqueror of God by prayer, and conqueror of man by submission, penitence, and restitution; one who has renounced the spirit of supplanter and taken that of penitent. "Confident in self-despair," he has relinquished his own strength, and lays hold of the strength of God, and is at peace. In whom is no guile; i.e. no self-deception, and no disposition to deceive others. The (Psalm 32:1, 2) description of the blessedness of "the man whose transgressions are forgiven,... and in whose spirit [LXX., 'mouth'] there is no guile (δόλος)," is the finest key to the significance of this passage. Christ does not say that this man is sinless, but guileless - free and full in his confession, knowing himself, and sheltering himself under no devices or seeming shows. The publican (it has been well said) was without guile when he cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" The Pharisee was steeped in self-deception and guile when he said, "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men." Sincerity, openness of eye, simplicity of speech, no wish to appear other than what he is before God and man, affirms his guilelessness. Alas! the so called Israelite has widely departed from the fundamental idea of such a character, though not more so than Christians have become unlike the ideal disciples of Jesus.

Parallel Commentaries ...


[When] Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

saw
Εἶδεν (Eiden)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

Nathanael
Ναθαναὴλ (Nathanaēl)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3482: Of Hebrew origin; Nathanael, an Israelite and Christian.

approaching,
ἐρχόμενον (erchomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

He said
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

of
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

him,
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Here
Ἴδε (Ide)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

[is] a true
ἀληθῶς (alēthōs)
Adverb
Strong's 230: Truly, really, certainly, surely. Adverb from alethes; truly.

Israelite,
Ἰσραηλίτης (Israēlitēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2475: An Israelite, one of the chosen people of Israel, a Jew. From Israel; an 'Israelite', i.e. Descendant of Israel.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

whom
ᾧ (hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

there is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

deceit.”
δόλος (dolos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1388: Deceit, guile, treachery. From an obsolete primary verb, dello; a trick, i.e. wile.


John 1:47 NIV
John 1:47 NLT
John 1:47 ESV
John 1:47 NASB
John 1:47 KJV

John 1:47 BibleApps.com
John 1:47 Biblia Paralela
John 1:47 Chinese Bible
John 1:47 French Bible
John 1:47 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him (Jhn Jo Jn)