John 1:47 (WEB)
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
Fathers and councils · 27
Irenaeus of Lyons
“By whom also Nathanael, being taught, recognised [Him], he to whom also the Lord bare witness, that he was “an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile.”” — editor's note: John i. 47.
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Augustine of Hippo
“She could indeed say this, were she already a true Israelitess in whom was no guile: which thing she was about to be, when through the mercy of God passing over into the city of God.” — editor's note: John i. 47
Read the whole comment“Therefore at that time when without any intermixture of evil men His people shall be, like a heap purged by the fan, like Israel in whom guile is not, then most pre-eminent “above Israel” shall be “the magnificence” of “Him: and the virtue of Him in the clouds.”” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment““For not all that are of Israel are Israelites.”…There are therefore certain Israelites, of whom was he concerning whom was said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom guile is not.”” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment“If a true Israelite is he in whom guile is not, the guileful and lying are not true Israelites.” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment“…the sense of the body; but while yet an infant not speaking, by the Spirit perceived Him: hence the blessed Apostles: hence Nathanael, in whom guile was not: hence the other Joseph, who himself too looked for the kingdom of God: hence that so great multitude who went before and followed after His beast, saying,…” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment“…themselves for their own merits, but grateful for His grace: so that it may be said to each of them, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile,” just as holy Scripture says of Israel himself, that he was without guile.” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment““Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.”” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment““Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.”” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment“And the Lord said to him, “When thou wast under the fig-tree I saw thee;” as though he would say, When thou wast in the shadow of sin, I predestinated thee.” — editor's note: John i. 47, etc.
Read the whole comment“…there shall be Israel only; then shall the Lord see him in the person of this holy Nathanael, and shall say, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.”” — editor's note: John i. 47.
Read the whole comment“And the Saviour Himself is understood to bring this latter to remembrance in the gospel, when He says of Nathanael, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” because Israel who saw this vision is no other than Jacob.” — editor's note: John i. 47, 51.
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John Chrysostom
“Ver.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And in the opposite cases too He doth so; as in that of Nathanael, saying, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.”” — editor's note: John i. 47.
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Jerome
“To the former of these it was said “Thou art Simon, the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone;” while the latter, whose name Nathanael means the gift of God, was comforted by Christ’s witness to him: “behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile.”” — editor's note: Joh. i. 47.
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Clement of Alexandria
“…God,” in the Church far on high, in which are gathered the philosophers of God, “who are Israelites indeed, who are pure in heart, in whom there is no guile;” who do not remain in the seventh seat, the place of rest, but are promoted, through the active beneficence of the divine likeness, to the heritage of…” — editor's note: John i. 47; Matt v. 8.
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Catena Aurea on John
- John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Nathanael, in difficulty as to Christ coming out of Nazareth, shewed the care with which he had read the Scriptures: his not rejecting the tidings when brought him, shewed his strong desire for Christ’s coming. He…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
What meaneth this, In whom is no guile? Had he no sin? Was no physician necessary for him? Far from it. No one was ever born, of a temper not to need the Physician. It is guile, when we say one thing, and think…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on John
Nathanael however, notwithstanding this praise, does not acquiesce immediately, but waits for further evidence, and asks, Whence knowest Thou me?
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
He asks as man, Jesus answers as God: Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee: not having beheld him as man, but as God discerning him from…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Has this fig tree any meaning? We read of one fig tree which was cursed, because it had only leaves, and no fruit. Again, at the creation, Adam and Eve, after sinning, made themselves aprons of fig leaves. Fig leaves…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on John
When thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee; i. e. when thou wast yet under the shade of the law, I chose thee.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Nathanael remembered that he had been under the fig tree, where Christ was not present corporeally, but only by His spiritual knowledge. Hence, knowing that he had been alone, he recognised our Lord’s Divinity.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
That our Lord then had this knowledge, had penetrated into his mind, had not blamed but praised his hesitation, proved to Nathanael that He was the true Christ: Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, Thou art…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Many when they read this passage, are perplexed at finding that, whereas Peter was pronounced blessed for having, after our Lord’s miracles and teaching, confessed Him to be the Son of God, Nathanael, who makes the…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Let us recollect the Old Testament account. Jacob saw in a dream a ladder reaching from earth to heaven; the Lord resting upon it, and the angels ascending and descending upon it. Lastly, Jacob himself understanding…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Good preachers, however, who preach Christ, are as angels of God; i. e. they ascend and descend upon the Son of man; as Paul, who ascended to the third heaven, and descended so far even as to give milk to babes. He…
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Cross-references · 11
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 1:47–51 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 1:47–51 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 1:47–51 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Lying Chapter 34.