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John 6:46

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Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Not {G3756} that {G3754} any man {G5100} hath seen {G3708} the Father {G3962}, save {G1508} he which {G3588} is {G3844}{G5607} of God {G2316}, he {G3778} hath seen {G3708} the Father {G3962}.

Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God — he has seen the Father.

not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father.

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father.

Commentary

Context

John 6:46 is part of Jesus' profound "Bread of Life" discourse, delivered in the synagogue at Capernaum. Following His miraculous feeding of the five thousand and walking on water, Jesus presents Himself not merely as a provider of physical sustenance but as the true Bread of Life that gives eternal life. In the verses immediately preceding this, Jesus explains that those who come to Him are "drawn" by the Father and "hear, and have learned of the Father" (John 6:45). This verse clarifies the nature of that learning and the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, emphasizing Jesus' exclusive authority to reveal God.

Key Themes

  • Exclusive Revelation of the Father: This verse asserts that no human being has directly "seen" (understood or intimately known) God the Father, except for Jesus Christ. This isn't about physical sight, which is impossible for mortals (as affirmed in Exodus 33:20 and 1 Timothy 6:16), but about a profound, experiential knowledge and direct communion with the divine essence.
  • Jesus' Divine Origin and Unique Relationship: The phrase "he which is of God" highlights Jesus' unique origin and nature. It signifies His pre-existence and intimate relationship with the Father, emphasizing that He comes directly from God and shares in His divine nature. This positions Jesus as the ultimate authority and the only authentic revealer of God.
  • Jesus as the Sole Mediator: The verse implicitly reinforces Jesus' role as the sole mediator between God and humanity. Since only He has truly "seen" (known) the Father, it is through Him that humanity can come to know God. This aligns with Jesus' declaration in John 14:6, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "seen" is horaō (ὁράω). While it can mean physical sight, in this context, especially when referring to God, it carries a deeper meaning of spiritual comprehension, intimate understanding, and direct, experiential knowledge. It signifies a unique access and acquaintance with the Father that only Jesus possesses. This is similar to its usage in John 1:18, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

Practical Application

John 6:46 profoundly impacts our understanding of God and our relationship with Him. It teaches us that true knowledge of God the Father comes exclusively through Jesus Christ. We cannot invent our own path to God or claim direct revelation apart from Him. This verse encourages us to focus our faith and study on Jesus, for in knowing Him, we know the Father. It underscores the importance of Christ's person and work as the central truth of Christianity, providing assurance that through Him, we have access to the very heart of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 1:18 (7 votes)

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

  • John 7:29 (6 votes)

    But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

  • Matthew 11:27 (5 votes)

    All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].

  • Luke 10:22 (5 votes)

    All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him].

  • 1 Timothy 6:16 (3 votes)

    Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.

  • John 5:37 (2 votes)

    And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

  • 1 John 4:12 (2 votes)

    No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.