John 1:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

Complete Jewish Bible:

No one has ever seen God; but the only and unique Son, who is identical with God and is at the Father’s side — he has made him known.

Berean Standard Bible:

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

American Standard Version:

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

No man^{G3762} hath seen^{G3708} God^{G2316} at any time^{G4455}; the only begotten^{G3439} Son^{G5207}, which^{G3588} is^{G5607} in^{G1519} the bosom^{G2859} of the Father^{G3962}, he^{G1565} hath declared^{G1834} him.

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Commentary for John 1:18

John 1:18 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of John, which is traditionally attributed to the apostle John, a disciple of Jesus Christ. This verse encapsulates several profound themes that are central to Christian theology, particularly the nature of God the Father and the unique relationship of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to the Father.

The first theme is the inaccessibility of God the Father to human sight or direct experience. The statement "No man hath seen God at any time" reflects a long-standing belief in Judaism that God is invisible and transcendent, beyond human comprehension and direct observation. This idea is rooted in Old Testament passages such as Exodus 33:20, where God tells Moses, "thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."

Secondly, the verse introduces the concept of the "only begotten Son," a title used in the Gospel of John to describe Jesus Christ. This term emphasizes the uniqueness of Jesus' relationship to God the Father. The Greek term "μονογενὴς" (monogenēs) can be understood as "only" or "unique," suggesting that Jesus is the one and only Son of God, distinct from all other beings.

Furthermore, the phrase "which is in the bosom of the Father" conveys the intimacy and closeness of the Son to the Father. It implies that Jesus has a unique knowledge of the Father, being in the closest possible communion with Him. This intimacy is foundational to the Christian claim that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God.

Lastly, the verse concludes with the declaration that the Son "hath declared [him]," meaning that Jesus has made God known to humanity. The Greek word for "declared" (ἐξηγήσατο, exēgēsato) is the root of our modern term "exegesis," which involves interpretation and explanation. This indicates that Jesus is the definitive interpreter and revealer of God's nature, character, and will. Through His teachings, actions, and ultimately through His own person, Jesus is understood to have revealed the Father to humanity in a way that was previously inaccessible.

In summary, John 1:18 articulates the Christian belief in the incomprehensibility of God the Father, the unique identity and mission of Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son who intimately knows the Father, and the role of Jesus as the definitive revelation of God to humankind. This verse is foundational for the Christian understanding of the Trinity, the incarnation, and the salvific work of Jesus Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3762
   There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐδείς
   Transliteration: oudeís
   Pronunciation: oo-den'
   Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3708
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὁράω
   Transliteration: horáō
   Pronunciation: hor-ah'-o
   Description: properly, to stare at (compare ὀπτάνομαι), i.e. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally); by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear:--behold, perceive, see, take heed.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
   
4. Strong's Number: G4455
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πώποτε
   Transliteration: pṓpote
   Pronunciation: po'-pot-e
   Description: from -πω and ποτέ; at any time, i.e. (with negative particle) at no time:--at any time, + never (…to any man), + yet, never man.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3439
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μονογενής
   Transliteration: monogenḗs
   Pronunciation: mon-og-en-ace'
   Description: from μόνος and γίνομαι; only-born, i.e. sole:--only (begotten, child).
   
6. Strong's Number: G5207
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: υἱός
   Transliteration: huiós
   Pronunciation: hwee-os'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--child, foal, son.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3588
   There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὁ
   Transliteration: ho
   Pronunciation: to
   Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5607
   There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὤν
   Transliteration: ṓn
   Pronunciation: on
   Description: present participle of εἰμί; being:--be, come, have.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2859
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κόλπος
    Transliteration: kólpos
    Pronunciation: kol'-pos
    Description: apparently a primary word; the bosom; by analogy, a bay:--bosom, creek.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3962
    There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πατήρ
    Transliteration: patḗr
    Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
    Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1565
    There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκεῖνος
    Transliteration: ekeînos
    Pronunciation: ek-i'-nos
    Description: from ἐκεῖ; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those. See also οὗτος.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1834
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐξηγέομαι
    Transliteration: exēgéomai
    Pronunciation: ex-ayg-eh'-om-ahee
    Description: from ἐκ and ἡγέομαι; to consider out (aloud), i.e. rehearse, unfold:--declare, tell.