Albert Barnes Commentary John 1:47

"Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" — John 1:47 (ASV)

An Israelite indeed — One who is truly an Israelite — not by birth only, but one worthy of the name. One who possesses the spirit, the piety, and the integrity that befit a man who is truly 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 truly what he professes to be — a Jew, a descendant of the patriarch Jacob, fearing and serving God. He makes no profession that he does not live up to. He does not say that Nathanael was without guilt or sin, but that he had no disguise, no trick, no deceit — he was sincere and upright. This was a most honorable testimony. How happy it would be if He, who knows the hearts of all as He knew that of Nathanael, could bear the same testimony concerning all who profess the religion of the gospel!