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Commentaries
English
John
  
8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied."9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father.’?"


When Jesus said, "You have seen the Father and know Him." Philip was surprised and nearly said, "No, we have not seen Him", but he was embarrassed by the majesty of his Lord. Instead, he uttered the words, "Lord, show us the Father and it is enough." This reply shows that he had grasped the mystery of Jesus and his power. That secret depends on his union with the Father. If he had to leave them, it was enough to show them the Father even for a moment, so that they might be commissioned as he was and guarded in the might of the Omnipotent. Then they would know and see God’s place, and receive authority over people, power to heal and exorcise.
But by that request, Philip confessed that he did not yet know the Father or the Son. He failed to recognize the divinity and truth. Jesus did not rebuke, but was merciful, and on his final evening announced the great truth, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." With this focal word Jesus tore the veil that lay before these disciples. No visions or dreams will disclose the truth concerning God; only the person of Jesus Christ. He was not merely an important personage, but in him we saw God Himself. Today you can have a vision of God if you see Jesus and recognize him. Thomas also heard these words and failed to grasp their import. But after the resurrection of Jesus he broke down before his Master and cried, "My Lord and my God!".