Nathanael: The True Israelite
but Nathanael is not listed among the apostle; this has led to speculation that perhaps he should be identified as Matthew or even Bartholomew.
In verse 47 - 49, Jesus describes Nathanael as “a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false [dolos: No guile, RSV; no deceit, NRSV].” This word occurs eleven times in the New Testament and conveys the meaning of trickery or cunning. An Israelite not merely in descent, but in character, according to the ideal laid down in God’s law. The word Israelite itself was an honorable designation. In (Acts 3:12) says, “You Israelite.” Then, the words “guile” properly bait for fish, and related at the root to Greek word, to catch with bait, or beguile. The true Israelite would be the true child of Israel …show more content…
51) “verily, verily” The word is transcribed into our Amen. John never, like the other Evangelists, uses the single verily, and like the single word in the Synopsis’s, it is used only by Christ. “Open” is the perfect participle. The participle signifies standing open, and is used in the story of Stephen’s martyrdom, Acts 7: 56 compare to Isaiah. 64:50. The image presented to the true Israelite is drawn from the history of his ancestor Jacob (Genesis 28: 12). The “Angels” used with the exception of (John 12: 29 and John 20: 13), John does not use the word “angel” elsewhere in the Gospel or in the Epistles, and does not refer to their being or ministry. Trench (“Studies in the Gospels”) cites a beautiful passage of Plato as suggestive of Lord’s words. Plato is speaking of love. “He is a great spirit, and like all spirits he is intermediate between the divine and the mortal. He interprets between gods and men, conveying to the gods the prayers and sacrifices of men, and to men the commands and replies of the gods, he is the mediator who spans the chasm which divides them, and in him all is bound together, and through him the acts of the prophet and the priest, their sacrifices mysteries and charms not with all prophets and incantation find their way. For God mingles not with man, but through Love all the intercourse and speech of God with man, whether awake or asleep, is carried on” ( “ Symposium,” 203). “Son of man” we can see on Luke 6: 22. Notice the titles
In verse 47 - 49, Jesus describes Nathanael as “a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false [dolos: No guile, RSV; no deceit, NRSV].” This word occurs eleven times in the New Testament and conveys the meaning of trickery or cunning. An Israelite not merely in descent, but in character, according to the ideal laid down in God’s law. The word Israelite itself was an honorable designation. In (Acts 3:12) says, “You Israelite.” Then, the words “guile” properly bait for fish, and related at the root to Greek word, to catch with bait, or beguile. The true Israelite would be the true child of Israel …show more content…
51) “verily, verily” The word is transcribed into our Amen. John never, like the other Evangelists, uses the single verily, and like the single word in the Synopsis’s, it is used only by Christ. “Open” is the perfect participle. The participle signifies standing open, and is used in the story of Stephen’s martyrdom, Acts 7: 56 compare to Isaiah. 64:50. The image presented to the true Israelite is drawn from the history of his ancestor Jacob (Genesis 28: 12). The “Angels” used with the exception of (John 12: 29 and John 20: 13), John does not use the word “angel” elsewhere in the Gospel or in the Epistles, and does not refer to their being or ministry. Trench (“Studies in the Gospels”) cites a beautiful passage of Plato as suggestive of Lord’s words. Plato is speaking of love. “He is a great spirit, and like all spirits he is intermediate between the divine and the mortal. He interprets between gods and men, conveying to the gods the prayers and sacrifices of men, and to men the commands and replies of the gods, he is the mediator who spans the chasm which divides them, and in him all is bound together, and through him the acts of the prophet and the priest, their sacrifices mysteries and charms not with all prophets and incantation find their way. For God mingles not with man, but through Love all the intercourse and speech of God with man, whether awake or asleep, is carried on” ( “ Symposium,” 203). “Son of man” we can see on Luke 6: 22. Notice the titles