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JOHN 14:8 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 14:7John 14:9
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied' — Philip's request voices the deepest human longing: to see God directly, to have unmediated encounter with the divine. His plea "and we will be satisfied" reflects the Psalmist's yearning (as in Psalm 42:2, my soul thirsts for God) to be satisfied in God's presence. Yet Philip does not realize that the Father has been shown, that the request has already been answered in Jesus' very presence; Philip looks for God elsewhere when God stands before him.

Church Fathers on John 14:8

A declaration so new startled Philip. Our Lord is seen to be man. He confesses Himself to be the Son of God, declares that, if He were known, the Father would be known, that, if He is seen, the Father is seen. The familiarity of the Apostle therefore breaks forth into questioning our Lord, Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us. He did not deny He could be seen, but wished to be shown him; nor did he wish to see with his bodily eyes, but that He whom…

Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century

For to that joy of beholding His face, nothing can be added. Philip understood this, and said, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us. But he did not yet understand that he could in the same way have said, Lord, show us Yourself, and it suffices us. But our Lord’s answer enlightens him, Jesus said to him, Have I been so long with you, and yet have you not known Me, Philip?

Augustine · 4th century

Philip, because [he thought] he had seen c the Son with his bodily eye, wished to see the Father in the same way; perhaps too remembering what the Prophet said, I saw the Lord (Isaiah 6:1), and therefore he says, Show us the Father. The Jews had asked, who was His Father; and Peter and Thomas, whither He went; and neither were told plainly. Philip therefore, that he might not seem burdensome, after saying, Show us the Father, adds, And it suffices us: i.e. we seek for no…

Chrysostom · 4th century · Or thus
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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