John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
John 14:9
Jesus intensifies His response: “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?” The question presses the disciples to recognize that Jesus’ entire life is a revelation of the Father. To “see” Jesus is to see the Father, because Jesus and the Father are one in will, purpose, and nature. The rebuke points to a pattern in which Jesus models God’s character, teaches, and embodies divine activity. In the moment, Philip’s statement—“Show us the Father”—reveals a gap between familiarity with Jesus and a deeper knowledge of God the Father. The tension is resolved by Jesus’ insistence on His oneness with the Father: the Father dwells in Him and works through Him.
This passage anchors Christology within the Trinity’s functional relationship. It asserts that the Father’s presence is disclosed through the Son’s person and work. The unity of Father and Son is not abstract theology but practical reality, visible in Jesus’ miracles, words, and compassion. It also frames the practice of faith: belief in Jesus is belief in the Father. The passage ultimately guards against a split between knowing God and knowing Jesus, reminding readers that revelation flows through the incarnate Word.
If you’ve been around church without truly “seeing” the Father, this verse invites a renewed gaze at Jesus. Spend time observing His actions—acts of mercy, patient teaching, steadfast love—and let them reframe your understanding of God. In daily life, let the belief in Jesus as the Father’s revelation guide decisions, conversations, and priorities: do they reflect the Father’s character? When uncertain about God’s plan, consider Jesus’ ministry as the benchmark for God’s intentions toward you and others.
Cross-References: John 10:30; John 12:45; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 4:12