John 14:8

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Philip {G5376} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, shew {G1166} us {G2254} the Father {G3962}, and {G2532} it sufficeth {G714} us {G2254}.

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us.”

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”

Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

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Commentary

John 14:8 (KJV): "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us."

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' conversation with His disciples during the Last Supper, often referred to as the Upper Room Discourse. Jesus has been speaking about His impending departure and comforting them with the promise of a place for them and His return (John 14:2-3). He tells them that they know the way to where He is going. Thomas questions how they can know the way when they don't know where He is going (John 14:5), leading to Jesus' profound declaration, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Following this, Jesus states that knowing Him means knowing the Father (John 14:7). It is in response to this that Philip makes his earnest request.

Key Themes

  • Disciples' Limited Understanding: Philip's request reveals that despite spending significant time with Jesus, the disciples still struggled to fully grasp His identity and relationship with the Father.
  • Desire to See God: The request "shew us the Father" reflects a deep-seated human desire to have a direct, tangible experience or revelation of God. This echoes Old Testament longings and experiences.
  • Jesus as the Revelation of the Father: The verse sets the stage for Jesus' crucial teaching that He Himself is the perfect manifestation and representation of the Father, a central theme in the Gospel of John.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "shew" is deixon (δεῖξον), an imperative meaning "show" or "point out." It implies a request for a clear, unmistakable demonstration or presentation of the Father. The phrase "it sufficeth us" comes from the Greek arkei (ἀρκεῖ), meaning "it is enough" or "it will be sufficient." Philip believed that seeing the Father directly would be the ultimate fulfillment of their spiritual longing and understanding.

Reflection and Application

Philip's request is relatable; often, we wish for a more direct, undeniable sign or vision from God. However, Jesus' response in the following verses (John 14:9-11) redirects Philip, and us, to the truth that Jesus Himself is the sufficient revelation of the Father. To see Jesus, His character, actions, and words, is to see what the Father is like. For believers today, this means that our understanding and experience of God the Father are intricately linked to our relationship with and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We don't need a separate vision of the Father; we have Him revealed fully in the Son.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 33:18

    And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

  • Exodus 33:23

    And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

  • Revelation 22:3

    And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

  • Revelation 22:5

    And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

  • John 1:43

    ¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

  • John 1:46

    And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

  • John 16:25

    These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
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