Jesus as God
Whoever Sees Jesus Sees the One Who Sent Him
Ancient agency could closely identify an authorized messenger with a sender, but John's Gospel repeatedly deepens this relationship beyond ordinary representation.
How this passage contributes to the case:
The labels below identify the kinds of evidence for Jesus' divinity found in this passage.
Select a label for an explanation.
Divine Identity
Divine Presence
Unique Relationship with the Father
Claims Unity with the Father
Grants Salvation
Strength of evidence: Strong.
This passage provides substantial evidence relevant to Jesus' divine identity when read in its literary and historical context.
Scripture
What Was Said or Done
Jesus says that believing in him is believing in the One who sent him and that seeing him is seeing the One who sent him.
Historical and Cultural Context
Prophets represent God, yet the Old Testament also emphasizes that God himself is uniquely the source of light and salvation.
Old Testament Background
Isaiah 40:9-11; Isaiah 60:1-3 provide useful background.
Exposition
At the close of his public ministry Jesus identifies response to himself with response to the Father and claims that seeing him is seeing the Father who sent him.
Why This Points to His Divinity
The statement anticipates John 14:9 and strengthens the Gospel's theme that the invisible God is uniquely made visible in Jesus.