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 14:9KJV
Know the Bible

John 14:9 (KJV)

What does John 14:9 mean?

John 14:9 describes Jesus telling Philip that anyone who has seen Jesus has also seen God the Father, so there is no need to ask for another revelation of God. Jesus is explaining that his life and actions perfectly show who God is.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to Philip, one of his disciples, during a conversation where Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus responds with some surprise that, after spending so much time together, Philip still does not recognize that seeing Jesus is the same as seeing the Father. The verse highlights the close relationship between Jesus and God, showing that Jesus reveals God’s character and presence in a way his followers can see and understand.

The Greek behind John 14:9

  • ὁ ἑωρακὼς (ho heōrakōs, "has seen"): This Greek word for "seen" means more than just physical sight; it often carries the sense of truly perceiving or understanding. Jesus is saying that to know him is to truly know the Father.
  • ἐγώ (egō, "me") and τὸν πατέρα (ton patera, "the Father"): The repeated use of "me" and "the Father" in the Greek emphasizes the direct connection and unity between Jesus and God, making the statement especially strong.
  • δείξον (deixon, "show"): Philip’s request uses a word that means to make visible or reveal clearly, which Jesus answers by saying that this revealing has already happened through himself.

Why John 14:9 matters

  • John 14:9 clears up the misunderstanding that Jesus is separate from God or just a messenger; instead, Jesus claims a unique unity with God the Father.
  • This verse is a key moment in the conversation where Jesus comforts his disciples before his death, assuring them that they have already seen all they need to know about God by knowing him.
  • The statement ties into the larger theme of John’s Gospel, which is to reveal who Jesus is and how he perfectly represents God to humanity.

Where else these words appear

“long” Greek G5118 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
  • John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
  • Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

“Shew” Greek G1166 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
  • John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
  • James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

“Philip” Greek G5376 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
  • John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
  • Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

“time” Greek G5550 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
  • Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.