Exposition Against Trinitarianism: John 14:9 – "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father"
Text (KJV):
“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?”
— John 14:9
Introduction
Trinitarianism teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three co-equal, co-eternal persons in one Godhead — distinct yet unified. However, this doctrinal framework is called into question by Jesus' direct statement in John 14:9, where He identifies seeing Himself as equivalent to seeing the Father. A straightforward reading of this verse strongly supports non-Trinitarian views, such as Oneness theology, which holds that Jesus is the visible manifestation of the one God — the Father.
1. Jesus Does Not Say "Like" the Father — He Says "Is"
Jesus does not say, “He that has seen me has seen someone like the Father,” or, “You see the Father’s character in me.” He explicitly states:
“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
This is a declaration of identity, not mere representation. If the Son and the Father are two separate divine persons (as Trinitarianism claims), then seeing the Son would not equate to seeing the Father. The statement only makes logical sense if Jesus is the Father in manifestation — not a separate person.
2. The Context: Philip’s Request
Philip asks:
“Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” (v. 8)
If Trinitarianism were correct, Jesus could have answered, “You will see the Father later,” or, “I represent the Father.” Instead, His response rebukes Philip for not already recognizing the Father in Him.
Jesus makes it clear that the Father was not someone other than Himself to be introduced later — the Father was already present and visible in Jesus.
3. The Oneness View Explained
Oneness believers hold that God is a single divine person who manifests Himself in different ways — as Father in creation, Son in redemption, and Spirit in regeneration. John 14:9 affirms this beautifully. Jesus is not a second person alongside the Father; He is the Father revealed in the flesh.
Supporting Scripture:
Isaiah 9:6: “His name shall be called… The Everlasting Father.”
2 Corinthians 5:19: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.”
Colossians 2:9: “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
All of these passages harmonize with Jesus’ statement in John 14:9 — showing that the fullness of the Father is embodied in Jesus.
4. The Weakness in Trinitarian Explanation
Trinitarians often argue that Jesus reveals the character or nature of the Father, not that He is the Father. However, this interpretation undermines the clarity and directness of Jesus' words. It also ignores the cumulative testimony of Scripture that describes Jesus as the visible image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15), not as a separate person showing another.
Furthermore, in John 10:30, Jesus declares, “I and my Father are one.” Again, this is more than unity of purpose — it implies essential unity, which oneness theology explains as one person, one essence, revealed in different modes.
Conclusion
John 14:9 stands as a profound and powerful testimony against the Trinitarian doctrine of three distinct persons in the Godhead. Jesus’ words are not ambiguous: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” If this is true — and it is — then Jesus is the Father in human form. The distinction of persons taught by Trinitarianism collapses under the weight of Jesus’ own testimony. God is one — and His name is Jesus.
