Can We Truly See God Through Jesus?

In this article, you will learn how John 14:7 contradicts John 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:16 and Exodus 33:20. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..

In the Christian scriptures, there are intriguing statements that challenge our understanding of seeing and knowing God. On one hand, certain passages seem to advocate that knowing Jesus is equivalent to knowing God, while others firmly state that God remains beyond human sight. This brings us to an interesting discussion: can knowing Jesus truly mean seeing God?

In the book of John, Jesus tells his disciples, "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also" (John 14:7). This suggests that understanding and seeing Jesus provides a pathway to knowing God more intimately. The analogy is much like understanding a master artist through their self-portrait; Jesus appears to be saying that he is the living representation of God, visible and comprehensible to humanity.

However, other verses present thought-provoking contrasts. John 1:18 tells us, "No man hath seen God at any time," implying a separation between God and human perception that even Jesus, as the image of God, cannot bridge. Similarly, 1 Timothy 6:16 states, "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see," reaffirming the idea of God's unseeable nature.

In Exodus 33:20, God tells Moses, "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live," underscoring the belief that God's presence is too overwhelming for human eyes.

These seemingly contradictory views invite us to ponder the essence of divine perception. Is it possible that Jesus serves as a mediator, making the unattainable somewhat attainable, like a translator conveying the essence of a foreign language? Or do these verses reflect deeper, nuanced theological discussions on God's nature and how we can relate to the divine?

These questions encourage believers to explore the complexities of their faith, pondering how these differing passages coexist within the broader scriptural narrative.