tence as expressing the prominent thought in Nathanael’s mind, surprise that Jesus should have come from Nazareth, a poor village, even the name of which does not occur in the Old Testament. Contrary to the popular explanation, there is no evidence that Nazareth was worse than other places, beyond the fact of the violence offered to Jesus by its people (Luke iv. 28, 29), and their obstinate unbelief in Him (Matt. xiii. 58; Mark vi. 6). It was a proverb, however, that no prophet was to come from Galilee (John vii. 52).
47. An Israelite indeed (aAnIa>s "Icpannditns). Lit., truly an Israelite. An Israelite not merely in descent, but in char- acter, according to the ideal laid down in God’s law. The word Israelite itself was an honorable designation. See on men of Israel, Acts iii. 12, and compare remarks on Jews, ver. 19.
Guile (SdA0s). Properly, a bart for fish, and related at the root to deredbw, to catch with a bait, or beguile. See on beguil- ing, 2 Pet. ii. 14. The true Israelite would be the true child of Israel after he had ceased to be the Supplanter. It is an in- teresting fact that in Genesis xxv. 27, Jacob is called a plain man, 7.¢., a8 some explain the Hebrew, a perfect or upright man, and others, a man of quiet and simple habits, and that the Septuagint renders this adjective by drAactos, unfeigned, with- out disguise, simple, guileless. The Greek here reads literally, wm whom guile is not.
48. Knowest (ywvecxeis). See on Acts xix. 15.
Under the fig-tree (é70 t7v cuxjv). To be construed with eldov ce, I saw thee; i.e., I saw thee under the fig-tree. The preposition with the accusative case, which implies motion to- ward, indicates his withdrawal to the shade of the tree for meditation or prayer. See on ver. 50. The Jewish writings tell of distinguished rabbis who were accustomed to rise early and pursue their studies under the shade of a fig-tree. Com- pare Mic. iv.4; Zech. iii. 10. Augustine, in his “ Confessions,” relates of himself: “I cast myself down, I know not how, under a certain fig-tree, giving full vent to my tears; and the