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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:18 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/43_Jhn_01_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:18 - The Word Became Flesh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/1-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/1-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/1-17.htm" title="John 1:17">◄</a> John 1:18 <a href="/john/1-19.htm" title="John 1:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/1.htm">New International Version</a> No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known. <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a> No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. <a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him. <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> No one has seen God [His essence, His divine nature] at any time; the [One and] only begotten God [that is, the unique Son] who is in the intimate presence of the Father, He has explained Him [and interpreted and revealed the awesome wonder of the Father]. <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —he has revealed him. <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father&#8217s side— He has revealed Him. <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like. <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> No one has ever seen God. God's only Son, the one who is closest to the Father's heart, has made him known. <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known. <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> No one has ever seen God. The unique God, who is close to the Father's side, has revealed him. <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is at the Father?s side, has made Him known. <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known. <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> No human eye has ever seen God: the only Son, who is in the Father's bosom--He has made Him known. <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> No one has ever seen God; the only begotten God who is on the bosom of the Father—He has expounded [Him]. <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known. <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> God no one hath ever seen; the only begotten Son, who is on the bosom of the Father -- he did declare. <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> None has seen God at any time; the only born Son, he being in the bosom of the Father, he has declared.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> No one ever saw God; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he himself has described him. <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him. <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> No man has ever seen God; but the firstborn of God, who is in the bosom of his Father, he has declared him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> No man has seen God at any time; The Only Begotten God Who is in the bosom of The Father, he has declared him.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has revealed him.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> No one has ever seen God; the only begotten Son, the one being in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him. <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath thoroughly described him.<CM> <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> no man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten son, who is intimate with the father, hath made him known. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> No human eye has ever seen God: the only Son, who is in the Father's bosom--He has made Him known. <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He declared Him. <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and though no one hath ever seen God, or can see Him: yet the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, hath made Him known. <a href="/parallel/john/1-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=120" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Word Became Flesh</a> …17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18<a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: oudeis (Adj-NMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">No one</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: heōraken (V-RIA-3S) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">has ever seen</a> <a href="/greek/4455.htm" title="4455: pōpote (Adv) -- At any time, ever. From po and pote; at any time, i.e. at no time."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/3439.htm" title="3439: monogenēs (Adj-NMS) -- Only, only-begotten; unique. From monos and ginomai; only-born, i.e. Sole.">but the one and only Son,</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">who is Himself God</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">and</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">at</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patros (N-GMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father’s</a> <a href="/greek/2859.htm" title="2859: kolpon (N-AMS) -- Apparently a primary word; the bosom; by analogy, a bay.">side,</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinos (DPro-NMS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed."></a> <a href="/greek/1834.htm" title="1834: exēgēsato (V-AIM-3S) -- To lead, show the way; met: I unfold, narrate, declare. From ek and hegeomai; to consider out, i.e. Rehearse, unfold.">has made Him known.</a> 19And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a> The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a> The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. <a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">1 Timothy 6:16</a> He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. <a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a> Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? <a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12</a> No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. <a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20</a> But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” <a href="/1_timothy/1-17.htm">1 Timothy 1:17</a> Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. <a href="/john/6-46.htm">John 6:46</a> not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father. <a href="/matthew/11-27.htm">Matthew 11:27</a> All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. <a href="/1_john/5-20.htm">1 John 5:20</a> And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. <a href="/john/5-37.htm">John 5:37</a> And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, <a href="/john/17-6.htm">John 17:6</a> I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a> For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. <a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Genesis 32:30</a> So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.seen.<a href="/john/6-46.htm">John 6:46</a> Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.<a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20</a> And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.<a href="/deuteronomy/4-12.htm">Deuteronomy 4:12</a> And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.the only.<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16-18</a> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life… <a href="/1_john/4-9.htm">1 John 4:9</a> In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.in the.<a href="/john/13-23.htm">John 13:23</a> Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.<a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm">Proverbs 8:30</a> Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;<a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a> He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.he hath.<a href="/john/12-41.htm">John 12:41</a> These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.<a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a> Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?<a href="/john/17-6.htm">John 17:6,26</a> I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/1-14.htm">Begotten</a> <a href="/luke/16-23.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/luke/21-23.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/luke/24-45.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/luke/10-29.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/luke/24-23.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/luke/24-32.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/luke/18-25.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/john/1-14.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/john/1-13.htm">Human</a> <a href="/john/1-14.htm">Only-Begotten</a> <a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Side</a> <a href="/john/1-14.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/3-16.htm">Begotten</a> <a href="/john/13-23.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/john/13-23.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/john/2-9.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/john/4-25.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/john/1-49.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/acts/10-8.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/john/5-34.htm">Human</a> <a href="/john/3-16.htm">Only-Begotten</a> <a href="/john/1-28.htm">Side</a> <a href="/john/2-4.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div>1. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a> 15. <a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a> 39. <a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>No one has ever seen God This phrase emphasizes the transcendence and invisibility of God. In the Old Testament, God is described as dwelling in unapproachable light (<a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">1 Timothy 6:16</a>) and as a spirit (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>). Instances where God appears, such as to Moses in <a href="/exodus/33-20.htm">Exodus 33:20-23</a>, are mediated through visions or representations, not direct encounters. This underscores the holiness and otherness of God, who cannot be fully comprehended by human senses.but the one and only Son The term "one and only" (Greek: monogenēs) signifies uniqueness and exclusivity. It highlights the special relationship between Jesus and the Father, distinguishing Him from all other beings. This phrase connects to <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>, where Jesus is described as God's "only begotten Son," emphasizing His unique divine sonship and role in salvation history.who is Himself God This affirms the deity of Christ, a central tenet of Christian doctrine. It aligns with <a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1</a>, which states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This phrase asserts the full divinity of Jesus, countering early heresies that denied His divine nature. It is foundational for understanding the Trinity, where Jesus is fully God, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.and is at the Father’s side This phrase indicates the intimate relationship and unity between the Father and the Son. The imagery of being "at the Father’s side" suggests closeness and shared authority. It reflects the cultural context of the ancient Near East, where sitting at the right hand of a ruler signified honor and power. This is echoed in <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a>, where Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on high.has made Him known Jesus, as the incarnate Word, reveals the Father to humanity. This revelation is not just through His teachings but through His very life and actions. In <a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a>, Jesus tells Philip, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." This phrase fulfills the prophetic anticipation of a Messiah who would bring knowledge of God to the people, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a> and <a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a>. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection provide the ultimate revelation of God's character and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient Creator of the universe, who is invisible to human eyes. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_one_and_only_son.htm">The One and Only Son</a> Refers to Jesus Christ, who is uniquely begotten of the Father and shares in the divine nature. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a> God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, who is in a close and intimate relationship with the Son. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_incarnation.htm">The Incarnation</a> The event of God the Son taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ to reveal God to humanity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_unseen_god.htm">The Unseen God</a> Understand that God, in His essence, is invisible and beyond human comprehension. This calls for reverence and awe in our approach to Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_revelation_through_christ.htm">The Revelation through Christ</a> Jesus, being fully God and fully man, uniquely reveals the nature and character of God. This encourages us to study the life and teachings of Jesus to know God more intimately. <a href="/topical/t/the_intimacy_of_the_father_and_the_son.htm">The Intimacy of the Father and the Son</a> The close relationship between the Father and the Son is a model for our relationship with God. We are invited into this intimacy through faith in Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_incarnation.htm">The Role of the Incarnation</a> The incarnation is central to understanding how God communicates with humanity. It shows God’s love and desire to be known by us. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_light_of_revelation.htm">Living in Light of Revelation</a> As Jesus has made God known, we are called to live in a way that reflects His character and truth to the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a> <a href="/q/has_anyone_ever_seen_god.htm">Has anyone ever seen God?</a> <a href="/q/is_it_a_contradiction_that_jacob_saw_god.htm">Jesus says, “No one has seen God” (John 1:18), but Genesis 32:30 says Jacob saw God face to face. Isn’t this a contradiction?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_jesus_overturn_tables.htm">What are the main Trinitarian heresies?</a> <a href="/q/has_anyone_ever_witnessed_god.htm">Has anyone ever witnessed God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) No man hath seen God at any time.--The full knowledge of truth is one with the revelation of God, but no man has ever had this full knowledge. The primary reference is still to Moses (comp. <a href="/exodus/33-20.htm" title="And he said, You can not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.">Exodus 33:20</a>; <a href="/exodus/33-23.htm" title="And I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.">Exodus 33:23</a>), but the words hold good of every attempt to bridge from the human stand-point the gulf between man and God. "The world by wisdom knew not God" (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm" title="For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.">1Corinthians 1:21</a>), and systems which have resulted from attempts of the finite to grasp the Infinite are but as the vision of a dream or the wild fancy of a wandering mind.The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father.--The oneness of essence and of existence is made prominent by a natural figure, as necessary in Him who is to reveal the nature of God. The "is in" is probably to be explained of the return to, and presence with the Father after the Ascension.Some of the oldest MSS. and other authorities read here, "Only begotten God, which is in the bosom of the Father." It will be convenient to group together the passages of this Gospel, where there are important various readings in one Note. See ExcursusB. Some Variations in the Text of St. John's Gospel.He hath declared him.--"He," emphatically as distinct from all others, this being the chief office of the Word; declared, rather than "hath declared;" "Him" is not found in the original text, which means "He was interpreter," "He was expositor." The word was used technically of the interpretation of sacred rites and laws handed down by tradition. Plato, e.g., uses it of the Delphian Apollo, who is the "national expositor" (Rep. iv. 427). The verse is connected, by a likeness of Greek words too striking to be accidental, with the question of Jesus the son of Sirach asked some three centuries before, "Who hath seen Him that he might tell us?" (<a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/43-31.htm" title="There are yet hid greater things than these be, for we have seen but a few of his works.">Ecclesiasticus 43:31</a>). The answer to every such question, dimly thought or clearly asked, is that no man hath ever so known God as to be His interpreter; that the human conception of God as "terrible" and "great" and "marvellous" (<a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/43-29.htm" title="When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as ye can; for even yet will he far exceed: and when ye exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for ye can never go far enough.">Ecclesiasticus 43:29</a>) is not that of His essential character; that the true conception is that of the loving Father in whose bosom is the only Son, and that this Son is the only true Word uttering to man the will and character and being of God. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - No one hath ever yet seen God. Many visions, theophanies, appearances, angelic splendours, in the desert, on the mountain, in the temple, by the river of Chebar, had been granted to the prophets of the Lord; but they have all fallen short of the direct intuition of God as God. Abraham, Israel, Moses, Manoah, David, Isaiah, Ezekiel, saw visions, local manifestations, anticipations of the Incarnation; but the apostle here takes the Lord's own word for it (<a href="/john/5-37.htm">John 5:37</a>), and he elsewhere repeats it (<a href="/1_john/4-12.htm">1 John 4:12</a>). These were but forerunners of the ultimate manifestation of the Logos. "The Glory of the Lord," "the Angel of the Lord," "the Word of the Lord," were not so revealed to patriarchs that they saw God as God. They saw him in the form of light, or of spiritual agency, or of human ministries; but in the deepest sense we must still wait for the purity of heart which will reveal to our weakened faculties the beatific vision. The only begotten Son - or, (God only begotten) - who is in (or, on) the bosom of the Father, he interpreted (him); became the satisfying Exposition, the Declarer, drawing forth from the depths of God all that it is possible that we shall see, know, or realize. This lofty assertion is augmented by the sublime intensification of the earlier phrase, "with God (πρὸς τὸν Θεόν)," by (εἰς τὸν κόλπον), "in or on the bosom of the Father;" i.e. in most intimate and loving fellowship with the Father as the only begotten. The relations of fatherhood and sonship within the substance of the Godhead give new life, warmth, realization, to the vaster, colder, more metaphysical, metaphenomenal relations of Θεός and Λογός (cf. here <a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm">Proverbs 8:30</a>). Bengel here says, "In lumbis esse dicuntur qui nascentur homines, in sinu sunt qui nati sunt. In sinu Patris erat Filius, quia nunquam non-natus." In view of the contention of Meyer that the language here refers to no age long, eternal indwelling of the Logos with, or of the Son (God only begotten) on the bosom of, the Father, but to the exaltation of the Christ after his ascension, we can only refer to the present tense (ὁ ω}ν), which from the standpoint of the prologue does not transfer itself to the historical standpoint of the writer at the end of the first century. Lange thinks that the whole of this wonderful utterance is attributed by the evangelist to the Baptist; but the standing of the Baptist, lofty as it is in John's Gospel, after the Baptist came into brief fellowship with the One who was before him, certainly falls short of this insight into his eternal Being. John the beloved disciple could thus speak of the revelation and interpretation of God which was made in the life, words, and death of the Only Begotten, from whose fulness he had received "grace for grace;" but in this verse he is speaking of the timeless condition, the eternal fellowship, of the Only Begotten with the Father, as justifying the fulness of the revelation made in his incarnation. The prologue forms a key to the entire Gospel. It may have been written after the record of the central principles involved in the life work of Jesus had been completed. Every statement in it may be seen to be derived from the recorded words or acts of the Lord, the revelation of the Father in time, the unveiling of the eternal heart of him who made all things, and by one competent to speak of both eternities. The writer of the prologue speaks of himself as one of a group or society who had had ocular evidence of the perfection and glory of the manifestation. This fellowship of men had found themselves children of God, and in the possession of a life, a light, and a hope which were derived entirely from Jesus Christ, who is undoubtedly in a unique sense declared (though not formally defined) to be "the Word made flesh." In the subsequent narrative we find a graduated series of instructions on the powers of Christ and the opposition of the world to his self-manifestation. Thus (ch. 1.) the testimony of the Baptist (made after his contact with Christ) to the Person and work of the Lord attributes to him, on prophetic authority, most stupendous functions - those of baptizing with the Holy Spirit, and taking away the sin of the world. He does himself reveal the way to the Father. He is hailed as the "Christ," the "King of Israel," and as the link between heaven and earth, between the invisible and visible, the Divine and the human (<a href="/john/1-51.htm">John 1:51</a>). In ch. 2, with all its other suggestiveness, Christ displays his creative power, and (cf. ch. 6.) his relation to the world of things, as well as his organic relation to the old covenant. In ch. 2 his "body" is the "temple" of God, where his Father dwelt, thus justifying the ἐσκήνωσεν of ver. 14. The pre-existence of Christ as a self-conscious personality in the very substance of Deity is asserted by himself in <a href="/john/6-62.htm">John 6:62</a>; <a href="/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58</a>; <a href="/john/17-5.htm">John 17:5, 24</a>. The fact that he is the Source of all life (<a href="/john/1-3.htm">John 1:3</a>), is involved in the teaching of the Gospel from end to end. Eternal life is ministered through him, to believers (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>, etc., John 3:36). He claims to have life in himself (<a href="/john/5-26.htm">John 5:26</a>). He is the "Bread of life" for starving humanity (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35, 48</a>). The words that he speaks are spirit and life (<a href="/john/6-63.htm">John 6:63</a>). In <a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a> the φῶς τῆς ζωῆς links the idea of life and light as they are shown to cohere in the prologue. In <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> he declares himself to be "the Truth and the Life," thus sustaining the great generalization. By raising Lazarus he is portrayed as the Restorer of forfeited life, as well as the original Giver of life to men (<a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a>). The ninth chapter records the symbolic event by which he proved himself to be the Sun of the spiritual universe, "the Light of the world" (cf. <a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4</a> with John 8:12; cf. <a href="/john/12-36.htm">John 12:36, 46</a>). The whole history of the conflict with the people whom he came to save, with "his own," with the world power, and the death doom, is the material which is generalized in the solemn statements of <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5-10</a>. The prologue says nothing in express words of Christ's supernatural conception, of his death, or of his resurrection and eternal glory; yet these objective facts are woven through, and involved in, the entire context, for the incarnation of the Eternal Word is the historic basis of the apostle's experience of such a life as that which he proceeds to sketch. The absolute antagonism of the darkness to the light, and the rejection of the light and life by the world, never had such exposition as that which the repudiation and crucifixion of the Son of God gave to them; while the eternal nature of the central life and being of him who, when incarnate, was thus resisted by unbelief renders the resurrection and ultimate and eternal glory a necessity of thought even to these who have not yet seen, but yet have believed. <a href="/commentaries/john/1-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>No one οὐδεὶς (oudeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. has ever seen ἑώρακεν (heōraken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. God, Θεὸν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [but the] one and only Son, μονογενὴς (monogenēs) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3439.htm">Strong's 3439: </a> Only, only-begotten; unique. From monos and ginomai; only-born, i.e. Sole. [ who is Himself ] God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [and] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. is ὢν (ōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. at εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Father’s Πατρὸς (Patros) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. side, κόλπον (kolpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2859.htm">Strong's 2859: </a> Apparently a primary word; the bosom; by analogy, a bay. has made [Him] known. ἐξηγήσατο (exēgēsato) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1834.htm">Strong's 1834: </a> To lead, show the way; met: I unfold, narrate, declare. From ek and hegeomai; to consider out, i.e. Rehearse, unfold. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-18.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:18 No one has seen God at any (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>