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John 1:47

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 1:47 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
John 1:47 — American Standard Version

Context — John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.
50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
← John 1:46John 1:48 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, etc.] For notwithstanding his prejudices, he was a man of so much uprightness and honesty, that he thought Philip’s request was very reasonable; and that it was but right, and fair, that he should see, and hear, and judge, for himself, whether the person Philip spoke of was the Messiah, or not; and therefore he came along with him; and as he was coming, Jesus saw him, who knew all that had passed between him and Philip: and saith of him; to those that were standing by him, and in the hearing of Nathanael, behold an Israelite indeed! a son of Israel, as the Syriac and Persic versions read; a true son of Jacob’s; an honest, plain hearted man, like him; one…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“an Israelite indeed . . . no guile--not only no hypocrite, but with a guileless simplicity not always found even in God's own people, ready to follow wherever truth might lead him, saying, Samuel-like, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth" (Sa1 3:10).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“An Israelite indeed - One who is really an Israelite - not by birth only, but one worthy of the name. One who possesses the spirit, the piety, and the integrity which become a man who is really a Jew, who fears God and obeys his law. Compare Romans 9:6; Romans 2:28-29. No guile - No deceit, no fraud, no hypocrisy. He is really what he professes to be - a Jew, a descendant of the patriarch Jacob, fearing and serving God. He makes no profession which he does not live up to. He does not say that Nathanael was without guilt or sin, but that he had no disguise, no trick, no deceit - he was sincere and upright. This was a most honorable testimony. How happy would it be if he, who knows the hearts…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:47 Jesus referred to Nathanael as a man of complete integrity, contrasting him with Jacob, the scheming, deceitful patriarch whom God renamed Israel (see Gen 25:27-34; 27:1-36; 32:22-32). It is as though Nathanael embodied God’s ideal for Israel.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Behold: Joh 8:31, Joh 8:39; Rom 2:28, Rom 2:29, Rom 9:6; Phi 3:3 in: Psa 32:2, Psa 73:1; Pe1 2:1, Pe1 2:22; Rev 14:5 John 1:48”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification