Behold, a True Israelite – In Whom There Is No Deceit”
John 1:47 (NIV): “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.'”
1. The Search for the Messiah
Philip and Nathanael were devoted Jewish men, likely disciples of John the Baptist (cf. John 1:35-45), who spent much of their time studying the Scriptures and anticipating the coming of the Messiah. They had a deep understanding of the Law (Torah) and the Prophets, including messianic prophecies such as:
Micah 5:2 (NIV): “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel…”
Deuteronomy 18:15 (NIV): “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”
Like many Jews at the time, they expected the Messiah to deliver Israel from Roman oppression and usher in God’s kingdom.
2. Philip Encounters Jesus
When Jesus calls Philip with the simple invitation, “Follow Me” (John 1:43), Philip immediately recognizes something divine in Him. He doesn’t keep it to himself but goes to share this life-changing discovery with Nathanael.
John 1:45 (NIV): “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Despite knowing that the Messiah was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem, Philip tells Nathanael Jesus is from Nazareth. This shows his eagerness to share, even before fully understanding how all the prophecies align (Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem – Luke 2:4-7, but raised in Nazareth).
3. Nathanael’s Honest Skepticism
Nathanael’s response is skeptical:
John 1:46 (NIV): “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”
This reflects a common view of Nazareth at the time—a small, insignificant town. But Philip wisely doesn’t argue; he simply invites: “Come and see.”
This is a model for evangelism: don’t argue, invite. Let people encounter Jesus directly through Scripture, prayer, and genuine Christian community.
4. Jesus Reveals Nathanael’s Heart
As Nathanael approaches, Jesus says something astonishing:
John 1:47 (NIV): “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
Jesus acknowledges Nathanael’s sincerity, honesty, and spiritual integrity. This echoes Psalm 32:2 (NIV): “Blessed is the one… in whose spirit is no deceit.” Nathanael isn’t naïve—he simply has a heart open to truth.
5. The Supernatural Confirmation
When Nathanael asks how Jesus knows him, Jesus says:
John 1:48 (NIV): “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
The fig tree was often a place of prayer, meditation, and study of the Law (cf. Micah 4:4). This statement reveals Jesus’ divine insight. Nathanael realizes he is in the presence of someone far greater than a teacher.
John 1:49 (NIV): “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
His declaration affirms two key messianic titles:
Son of God – indicating divine nature (Psalm 2:7)
King of Israel – fulfilling messianic expectation (Zechariah 9:9)
6. Greater Revelations Await
Jesus responds:
John 1:50-51 (NIV): “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that. Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
This refers to Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28:12). Jesus is now the bridge between heaven and earth—the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Nathanael is being promised deeper revelations and heavenly encounters.
7. Application: The Danger of a Deceitful Heart
Many today want God to reveal great things, but their hearts are not fully surrendered. A heart full of pride, religious argument, or compromise cannot receive deeper truth from God.
James 1:22 (NIV): “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Examples of “deceit” in modern faith:
- Rejecting biblical baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name (cf. Acts 2:38)
- Insisting on traditions over truth (cf. Mark 7:13)
- Excusing disobedience by saying “it’s not written clearly in the Bible” or “my church doesn’t teach that.”
God reveals more to hearts that are honest, teachable, and obedient.
8. The Call to Respond
Just like Philip and Nathanael, you are being called to meet Jesus. He knows you, sees you, and desires to transform you. But you must respond with a sincere heart.
If you want to give your life to Christ, take a quiet moment now and pray:
Prayer of Repentance
“Heavenly Father, I come before You knowing I am a sinner. I have fallen short and deserve judgment. But You are rich in mercy and love. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son, who died for my sins and rose again. Today, I repent and turn away from all my sins. I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me with the blood of Jesus. Make me a new creation and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life. I commit to follow Him from this day forward. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
9. Next Steps
If you prayed that prayer sincerely:
- Get baptized by full immersion in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 22:16)
- Join a Bible-believing church that teaches the full gospel and encourages spiritual growth.
- Read your Bible daily, especially starting with the Gospel of John.
- Pray regularly, and let God continue revealing Himself to you.
Just like Nathanael, Jesus will walk with you and show you greater things than you could imagine.
Conclusion:
A heart without deceit is not a perfect heart—but it is a sincere one, open to truth and willing to change. If you want to know Jesus more deeply, start by laying aside religious pride, traditions, or excuses—and simply come and see.
Even Barnabas Was Taken by Their Hypocrisy!
1. The Human Side of Apostleship
When reading the Book of Acts, we are often inspired by the boldness and faith of the apostles as they carried the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8, NIV). They performed miracles, endured persecution, and established the early Church. However, Scripture is also honest about their flaws. These human moments are not meant to discredit them but to serve as lessons for us, as Paul wrote:
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us…”
(1 Corinthians 10:11, NIV)
2. Peter’s Compromise and Paul’s Rebuke
One significant example is found in Galatians 2:11-14, where Peter (Cephas) compromised the truth of the gospel due to fear of man:
“When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned…”
(Galatians 2:11, NIV)
Peter, who had previously received a vision affirming that Gentiles were accepted by God (Acts 10:9–16), still withdrew from them when legalistic Jewish believers arrived. This was not a theological mistake rooted in ignorance—it was hypocrisy (Greek: ὑπόκρισις – playing a part), driven by fear of criticism (Galatians 2:12).
3. Even Barnabas?
What shocked Paul most wasn’t just Peter’s actions, but that Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36), followed him in this hypocrisy:
“The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.”
(Galatians 2:13, NIV)
This was heartbreaking because Barnabas was a trusted, Spirit-filled leader known for defending outcasts (Acts 9:27) and uplifting those whom others had rejected—like Paul and Mark (Acts 15:36–39). His role was central to integrating Gentiles into the Church, making his fall into ethnic favoritism all the more serious.
4. Theological Implication: Justification by Faith Alone
Paul’s confrontation with Peter was not just a personality clash—it was a defense of the core of the gospel: justification by faith, not by the works of the Law.
“…know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
(Galatians 2:16, NIV)
Peter’s actions suggested that Gentiles needed to adopt Jewish customs to be fully accepted. This undermined the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement and promoted a false gospel (Galatians 1:6–9). By confronting this, Paul defended the doctrine of Sola Fide—faith alone—a pillar of Christian orthodoxy.
5. Barnabas’ Influence and Responsibility
Barnabas was a seasoned leader, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24). His past actions had helped shape the Church, especially among Gentile believers. He had vouched for Paul (Acts 9:27), and he mentored Mark—who would later write one of the four Gospels (2 Timothy 4:11). He had sacrificed personal possessions (Acts 4:37) and was known for his comfort and leadership.
Therefore, when Paul says “Even Barnabas was led astray,” it’s a lament that such a spiritually mature man could fall into public error. It is a warning that no one—no matter how faithful—can let down their guard (1 Corinthians 10:12).
6. What Does This Mean for Us Today?
The Bible warns:
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
(Revelation 3:11, NIV)
Your crown—your reward, calling, and spiritual inheritance—can be influenced by others if you allow compromise, fear, or peer pressure to silence your convictions or gifts. Sometimes it’s not Satan, but a respected leader, a cultural norm, or even tradition that derails us.
- If God gave you a gift of healing, but you’re discouraged from using it because your church doesn’t believe in supernatural gifts—ask yourself: Have I also been taken by their hypocrisy?
- If you’re gifted in prayer, prophecy, or speaking in tongues, but you’ve silenced your gift to fit in—Are you walking in the Spirit or under the fear of man?
- If you know deep down that Christ is calling you into a deeper life, but you settle for tradition because it’s safer or more acceptable—Have you traded truth for comfort?
God is asking us today what Paul essentially asked Barnabas:
“Even you? Have you too been led astray by others’ fear and compromise?”
7. The Call to Faithfulness
The call today is the same one Jesus gave in the book of Revelation:
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne…”
(Revelation 3:21, NIV)
Remain faithful to what God has called you to. Don’t allow social pressure, denominational rules, or even spiritual leaders to silence the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Use your gifts boldly. Uphold truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). And remember:
It is possible to be sincere and still be sincerely wrong. That’s why we must test everything by the Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and walk in the Spirit, not in fear (Galatians 5:16).
Conclusion
Barnabas’ fall into hypocrisy was painful but instructive. It shows us that even the most Spirit-filled, faithful, generous, and seasoned believers can be influenced if they are not vigilant. But it also reminds us of the need to stand for the truth, like Paul did, even when others—especially respected ones—veer off course.
Let us be those who, by grace, hold fast to the gospel and keep our crown.
“Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
(Revelation 3:11, NIV)
Be blessed, and be bold in your calling.
