John 1:47-48 WEB

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:40-49

(2) The naming and convictions of the disciples. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

The calling of Nathanael. After Jesus finds Philip, Philip finds Nathanael. "One lighted torch serves to light another, and thus faith is propagated." I. THE CHARACTER OF NATHANAEL , OR BARTHOLOMEW . He was a devout Jew, a student of Scripture, of a thoughtful temper, and of prayerful habits. He was above all a guileless Israelite: "An Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." II. THE DIFFICULTIES OF NATHANAEL . "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" 1 . A... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

The candid disciple. Nathanael is a person of whom we know but very little. That he was of Cana, that he was probably the same as Bartholomew, that, after the resurrection of Jesus, he was in company with Peter upon the Lake of Gennesareth,—this is all we are told concerning him, except what we learn from this passage. Our chief interest in him, therefore, lies in his call to the discipleship of the Lord. I. MORAL PREPARATION FOR DISCIPLESHIP . Like many of Christ's friends,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

The guileless inquirer. Notice— I. THE CHARACTER OF NATHANAEL IN ITS DISTINGUISHING FEATURES . "An Israelite indeed." This title was partly given to Jacob, and assumed by his descendants. But many of them were Israelites only in name, not in deed. Hereditary titles are often hollow and unreal. They were genuine when bestowed at first as tokens and rewards of courage and service, but when assumed on account of birth merely, they often lack reality. Nathanael was a true... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

Jesus and Nathanael. Jesus praises Nathanael both in what he says to others concerning him, and what he says directly to himself. Whatever Jesus may have found praiseworthy in the other four disciples, he said nothing. Nathanael stands out very distinctly as having in him elements of character needing to be published to all disciples. Jesus meant to say to others, "Be ye as this man. Be ye also Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile. Be ye those who have peculiar individual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:46-49

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:47

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 John 1:1-51 and John 2:1-25 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:48

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Without any title of respect, or admission as yet of any claims or right in him of whom Philip had spoken. There is, in this query, an abruptness of blunt sincerity which to some extent justifies the eulogium upon his innermost life. Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee —irrespective altogether of the excitement he has stirred within thee— when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee . "The fig tree" was the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:47

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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:48

Whence knowest thou me? - Nathanael was not yet acquainted with the divinity of Christ, and supposed that he had been a stranger to him. Hearing him express a favorable opinion of him, he naturally inquired by what means he had any knowledge of him. His conscience testified to the truth of what Jesus said that he had no guile, and he was anxious to know whence he had learned his character.Before that Philip called thee - See John 1:45.When thou wast under the fig-tree - It is evident that it... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:40-49

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:45-51

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:46-49

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:47

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:48

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:47

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 1:48

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