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NASB | John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and *said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Here is an Israelite indeed [a true descendant of Jacob], in whom there is no guile nor deceit nor duplicity!" |
Bible Question: Why does Jesus say this? Are Israelites normally considered deceitful? |
Bible Answer: Hi, Raquel... Welcome to the forum! Nathanael, given of God... a true descendant of Jacob. There is a play on words here that needs a bit of explanation. Think about Jacob, his name actually means supplanter. He stole Esau's birthright. More than that, he was also a bit of scoundrel. Nonetheless, God chose Jacob over his brother. Nathaniel, means given of God. Contrary to the character of Jacob, Nathanael was an honest, plain hearted man, more similar to what Jacob became. See the contrast? Perhaps Nathanael by his God given nature was the kind of Jew that Paul talked about in Romans 2:28. I tend to think that Jacob was more like the prophet Samuel (cf 1 Samuel 3:10); he was open and accepting, ready to hear God. Perhaps he had been in prayer in a particular way (see John 1:48), and our Lord was responding to that prayer. But Jesus makes a comparison again with Jacob in vv50-51. Note, however, that this does not mean that Nathanael was sinless or faultless. You asked, "Are Israelites normally considered deceitful?" I'm a son of Jacob... oh the stories I could tell. Yet, no need. Look again at 1 Samuel 3:10. Then consider, how many of the Jews responded to God in this way when He called to them? "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him." (John 1:9-11) In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for John 1:47 | Author | ||
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ruth30 | ||
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RaquelG | ||
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DocTrinsograce |