John 1:47
What does John 1:47 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:47 means
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He immediately offered a profound commendation: "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" This demonstrates Jesus' divine ability to perceive Nathanael's inner character—his honesty, sincerity, and lack of deceit. This declaration is a testament to Jesus' omniscience and His ability to immediately discern the true heart of an individual, foreshadowing divine revelation that will unfold for Nathanael and further establish Jesus as God.
John 1:47 in context
John 1 — The Word Made Flesh
John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.
- Pre-existence of Christ
- Incarnation
- Light and life
- First disciples
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said of him, See, here is a true son of Israel in whom there is nothing false.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus saw Nathanael coming unto him, and he saith concerning him, `Lo, truly an Israelite, in whom guile is not;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and says of him, Behold [one] truly an Israelite, in whom there is no guile.
Context
Following Philip's invitation for Nathanael to "Come and see" (v.46), this verse initiates Nathanael’s personal encounter with Jesus. Jesus’ immediate and insightful declaration about Nathanael's character is a powerful demonstration of His divine knowledge, immediately dispelling the casualness of their meeting. This foreknowledge prepares for Nathanael's astonishment and the rapid transformation of his skepticism into belief, setting the stage for Jesus' deeper revelation of Himself.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 8:31
Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
- Psalms 73:1
Surely God is good to Israel, Evento such as are pure in heart.
- Romans 9:6
Butit isnot as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:
- Revelation 14:5
And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.
- John 8:39
They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
- 1 Peter 2:1
Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
Sermon ideas from John 1:47
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:47 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:47 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:47 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:47 teaches us about first disciples
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