SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:18
A Dios nadie le vio jams; el Unignito hijo, que est en el seno del Padre, l nos lo declar.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 1:18
Verse 18. No man hath seen God at any time] Moses and others heard his voice, and saw the cloud and the fire, which were the symbols of his presence; but such a manifestation of God as had now taken place, in the person of Jesus Christ, had never before been exhibited to the world. It is likely that the word seen, here, is put for known, as in chap. iii. 32; 1 John iii. 2, 6, and 3 John xi; and this sense the latter clause of the verse seems to require:-No man, how highly soever favoured, hath fully known God, at any time, in any nation or age; the only begotten Son, (see on ver. 14,) who is in the bosom of the Father, who was intimately acquainted with all the counsels of the Most High, he hath declared him, exhghsato, hath announced the Divine oracles unto men; for in this sense the word is used by the best Greek writers. See Kypke in loco. 1095 Lying in the bosom, is spoken of in reference to the Asiatic custom of reclining while at meals; the person who was next the other was said to lie in his bosom; and he who had this place in reference to the master of the feast was supposed to share his peculiar regards, and so be in a state of the utmost favour and intimacy with him.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. No man hath seen God at any time , etc.] That is, God the Father, whose voice was never heard, nor his shape seen by angels or men; for though Jacob, Moses, the elders of Israel, Manoah, and his wife, are said to see God, and Job expected to see him with his bodily eyes, and the saints will see him as he is, in which will lie their great happiness; yet all seems to be understood of the second person, who frequently appeared to the Old Testament saints, in an human form, and will be seen by the saints in heaven, in his real human nature; or of God in and by him: for the essence of God is invisible, and not to be seen with the eyes of the body; nor indeed with the eyes of the understanding, so as to comprehend it; nor immediately, but through, and by certain means: God is seen in the works of creation and providence, in the promises, and in his ordinances; but above all, in Christ the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person: this may chiefly intend here, mans not knowing any thing of God in a spiritual and saving way, but in and by Christ; since it follows, the only begotten Son ; the word that was with God in the beginning. The Jerusalem Targum on ( Genesis 3:22) says almost the same of the word of the Lord, as here, where it introduces him saying, the word of the Lord God said, lo, the man whom I created, the only one in my world, even as I am, ydyjy , the only one, (or, as the word is sometimes rendered, the only begotten,) in the highest heavens. And to the same purpose the Targum of Jonathan, and also Jarchi, on the same place. The Syriac version here renders it, the only begotten, God which is in the bosom of the Father; clearly showing, that he is the only begotten, as he is God: the phrase, which is in the bosom of the Father , denotes unity of nature, and essence, in the Father and Son; their distinct personality; strong love, and affection between them; the Sons acquaintance with his Fathers secrets; his being at that time, as the Son of God, in the bosom of his Father, when here on earth, as the son of man; and which qualified him to make the declaration of him: he hath declared him . The Persic and Ethiopic versions further add, to us; he has clearly and fully declared his nature, perfections, purposes, promises, counsels, covenant, word, and works; his thoughts and schemes of grace; his love and favour to the sons of men; his mind and will concerning the salvation of his people: he has made, and delivered a fuller revelation of these things, than ever was yet; and to which no other revelation in the present state of things will be added. Somewhat like this the Jews say of the Messiah; there is none that can declare the name of his Father, and that knows him; but this is hid from the eyes of the multitude, until he comes, whdygyw , and he shall declare him.
He is come, and has declared him: so Philo speaks of the Logos, or word, as the interpreter of the mind of God, and a teacher of men f37 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-18 - As to the order of time and entrance on his work, Christ came afte John, but in every other way he was before him. The expression clearl shows that Jesus had existence before he appeared on earth as man. All fulness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shal receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word grace; we have received "even grace," a gift so great, so rich, s invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us. The law of God is holy, just, and good; and we should make the proper use of it. But we cannot derive from it pardon, righteousness or strength. It teaches us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour but it cannot supply the place of that doctrine. As no mercy comes from God to sinners but through Jesus Christ, no man can come to the Fathe but by him; no man can know God, except as he is made known in the onl begotten and beloved Son.
Greek Textus Receptus
θεον 2316 N-ASM ουδεις 3762 A-NSM εωρακεν 3708 5758 V-RAI-3S-ATT πωποτε 4455 ADV ο 3588 T-NSM μονογενης 3439 A-NSM υιος 5207 N-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM ων 5607 5752 V-PXP-NSM εις 1519 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM κολπον 2859 N-ASM του 3588 T-GSM πατρος 3962 N-GSM εκεινος 1565 D-NSM εξηγησατο 1834 5662 V-ADI-3S
