"Show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Philip's reaction to what Jesus said was a very natural one since the Apostles were still in the pre-resurrection stage of their relationship with Jesus: they still had much to learn, and indeed much of what they had to learn they would only learn when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost.

Jesus challenged Philip: "I have been with you all this time and you still do not know me?" Philip could have reasonably answered, "No, Lord, we do not know or understand everything about you."

Philip's request to see the Father illustrates a defect in much religion especially in those ages when the Bible was written, namely a desire to see God in this life. The Bible, however, teaches us that our God is not a god who appears anywhere, but a Father who has spoken to us and acted for us in the life, death and resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ in order to redeem us and lead us into a life of grace and enlightenment. Belief in Jesus and dedication to his teaching is our vision of the Father