Bible Commentaries
John 14

Verse 1

not. Greek. me. App-105 .

troubled . Compare John 11:33 (Himself); John 12:27 (My soul); John 18:21 (spirit). Here it is the heart. In all cases the whole being is meant. See also Luke 24:38 .

ye believe . There is no reason for translating the two verbs differently. Both are imperative. "Believe in God, and believe in Me".

believe . App-150 .

in . Greek. eis. God. App-98 .

Verse 2

In. Greek. en. App-104 .

My Father's . In John's Gospel the Lord uses this expression thirty-five times, though in a few instances the texts read "the" instead of "My". It is found fourteen times in these three chapters 14-16. It occurs seventeen times in Matthew, six times in Luke (three times in parables), but not once in Mark.

mansions = abiding places. Greek. more (from meno, a characteristic word in this Gospel). Occurs only here and in John 14:23 ,

if it were not so = if not. Greek. ei me. There is no verb. I would, &c. All the texts add "that" (hoti), and read "would I have told you that I go", &c.

Verse 3

if . App-118 .

I will come , &c. = again I am coming, and I will receive you.

unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .

that = in order that. Greek hires.

yemay be also = ye also may be.

Verse 4

know . Greek. oida. App-132 . Most of the texts omit the second "ye know", and read, "whither, &c., ye know the way. "

Verse 5

Thomas. See App-94 and App-141 .

unto = to. Lord. App-98 . A.

not . Greek. ou. App-105 .

can , &c. The texts read, "know we".

Verse 6

Jesus . App-98 .

am. This affirmation used by our Lord at least twenty-five times in John. See John 4:26 ; John 6:20 ("It is I". Greek Ego eimi), 35, 41, 48, 51; John 8:12 , John 8:18 , John 8:23 , John 8:24 , John 8:28 , John 8:58 ; John 10:7 , John 10:9 , John 10:11 , John 10:14 ; John 11:25 ; John 13:19 ; John 15:1 , John 15:5 ; John 18:5 , John 18:6 , John 18:8 , John 18:37 .

way . Compare Acts 9:2 ; Acts 18:25 , Acts 18:26 ; Acts 19:9 , Acts 19:23 ; Acts 22:4 ; Acts 24:22 .

the truth = and the truth. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton to emphasize the Lord's statement.

truth. Greek aletheia. Compare App-175 . This word occurs twenty-five times in John, always in the lips of the Lord, save John 1:14 , John 1:17 and John 18:38 (Pilate). Only seven times in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

life . App-170 ., a characteristic word in this Gospel, where it occurs thirty-six times. See first occurance (Matthew 7:14 ), "the way which leadeth unto life", and compare 1 John 5:11 , 1Jn 5:12 , 1 John 5:20 .

no man = no one. Greek. oudeis.

cometh. Compare John 6:44 .

the Father . See John 1:14 ,

but = if not. Greek ei me.

by = through. Greek dia. App-104 .John 14:1 .

Verse 7

If , &c. App-118 .

known . App-132 .

from henceforth = from (Greek. apo. App-104 . iv) now.

seen . App-133 . Compare 1 John 1:1 .

Verse 8

Philip. See John 1:43-48 ; John 6:5 ; John 12:21 , John 12:22 , and App-141 .

Verse 9

so long time . Philip, one of the first called. See John 1:43 .

with . Greek. meta. App-104 .

Verse 10

Believest . App-150 .

the words , &c. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: "The words that I speak, I speak not of Myself, but the Father that dwelleth in Me speaketh them, and the works that I do, I do not of Myself, but the Father that dwelleth in Me doeth them".

words. Greek. rhema. See Mark 9:32 .

of = from, Greek. apo. App-104 .

dwelleth =

abideth . Greek. meno. See p. 1511.

the works . The texts read "His works".

Verse 11

Believe Me that , &c. App-150 .

believe Me . App-150 .

for . . . sake = On account of. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 14:2 .

very works = works themselves.

Verse 12

Verily, verily . The twenty-second occurance. See on John 1:51 .

the works , &c.: i.e. similar works, e.g. Acts 3:7 ; Acts 3:9 . as.

he do also = he also do.

greater . Not only more remarkable miracles (Acts 5:15 ; Acts 19:12 ) by the men who were endued with power from on high (pneuma hagion, App-101 .), but a more extended and successful ministry. The Lord rarely went beyond the borders of Palestine. He for-bade the twelve to go save to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5 , Matthew 10:6 ); after Pentecost they went "everywhere" (Acts 8:4 ), and Paul could say, "your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world" (Romans 1:8 ).

Verse 13

ask . App-134 . Compare Matthew 7:7 .

name . The word occurs first in Matthew 1:21 , associated with Jesus ( App-98 . X). Compare Mark 16:17 with Acts 3:6 , Acts 3:16 ; Acts 4:10 , &c.

glorified. See John 12:16 .

Verse 15

love . Greek. agapao. App-135 ., and see p. 1511. keep. Most of the texts read, "ye will keep".

Verse 16

pray . Greek. erotao. App-134 . Not aiteo as in John 14:18 . See 1 John 5:16 , where both words are used.

shall = will.

another . Greek. allos. App-124 .

Comforter . Greek. parakletos, rendered "Advocate" in 1 John 2:1 . Parakletos and the Latin Advocatus both mean one called to the side of another for help or counsel. The word is only found in John: here; John 14:26 ; John 15:26 ; John 16:7 and 1 John 2:1 . So we have one Paraclete (the Holy Spirit) as here, and another with the Father. The Rabbinical writings often refer to the Messiah under the title Menahem (= Comforter), and speak of His days as the days of consolation. Compare Luke 2:25 . See Dr. John Lightfoot's Works, vol. xii, p. 384.

abide . Greek. meno. Same as "dwelleth "in John 14:10 . See p. 1611.

for ever. Greek. eis ton aiona. App-151 .

Verse 17

the Spirit of truth = the Spirit ( App-101 .) of the truth. The definite article in both cases.

world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 .

cannot = is not ( App-105 ) able to.

seeth . Greek. theoreo. App-133 .

with = beside. Greek. para. App-104 .

Verse 18

comfortless = orphans. Greek. or phanos. Occurs only here and James 1:27 .

will come = am coming. As in John 14:3 .

to. Greek. pros. App-104 .

Verse 19

a little while ; i.e. about thirty hours. From the moment the Lord was taken down from the cross and entombed, He disappeared from the eyes of the world. Acts 10:40 , Acts 10:41 .

no more . Greek. ouk eti.

shall live also = also shall live.

Verse 20

At = In. Greek. en. App-104 .

At that day . Referring primarily to the forty days after His resurrection, but this well-known Hebrew term describes the day of the Lord, in contra- distinction to this present day of man (1 Corinthians 4:3 margin) See Isaiah 2:11-17 and Revelation 1:10 .

I in you. Fulfilled primarily at Pentecost, but looking on to the time when He will be among (Greek. en. App-104 .) His people, as Jehovah-Shammah. See Ezekiel 43:7 ; Ezekiel 48:35 .Zephaniah 3:15-17 .

Verse 21

of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .

manifest . Greek. emphanizo. App-106 .

Verse 22

Judas . App-141 . Brother or son of James (Luke 6:16 , Revised Version) Five others of this name. Judas Iscariot; Judas, the Lord's brother (Matthew 13:30 ); Judas of Galilee (Acts 5:37 ); Judas of Damascus (Acts 9:11 ); and Judas Barsabas (Acts 15:22 ). This is the only mention of this Judas. how is it . . . P = how comes it to pass?

wilt = art about to.

Verse 23

answered , &c. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 and App-122 .

a man = any one. Greek. tis . App-123 .

words = word (singular) Greek. logos: i.e. the commandments of verses: John 14:15 , John 14:21 .

abode. Same word as "mansions", in John 14:2 .

Verse 24

sayings = words. Greek. logos. Same as "word "in the next clause, and in John 14:23 . Compare John 8:51 , John 8:52 , John 8:55 , and see note on Mark 9:32 . Which sent Me. This expression (Greek. ho pempsas , App-174 .), Occurs twenty-four times, all in John. See John 4:34 ; John 5:23 , John 5:24 , John 5:30 , John 5:37 ; John 6:38 , John 6:39 , John 6:40 , John 6:44 ; John 7:16 , John 7:28 , John 7:33 ; John 8:16 , John 8:18 , John 8:26 , John 8:29 ; John 9:4 ; John 12:44 , John 12:45 , John 12:49 ; John 13:20 ; John 15:21 ; John 16:5 . In the third person, "that sent Him", twice, John 7:18 ; John 13:16 .

Verse 25

being yet present = abiding. Greek. mend. A characteristic word in John's Gospel. See p. 1511. Same word as "abide", John 14:16 , and "dwell", verses: John 14:10 , John 14:17 .

Verse 26

the Holy Ghost = the Spirit, the Holy. Greek. to Pneuma to Hagion. The only place in John where the two articles are found. Elsewhere Matthew 12:32 .Mark 3:29 ; Mark 12:36 ; Mark 13:11 .Luke 2:26 ; Luke 3:22 .Acts 1:16 ; Acts 5:3 , Acts 5:32 ; Act 7:61 ; Acts 8:18 ; Acts 10:44 , Acts 10:47 ; Acts 11:15 ; Acts 13:2 , Acts 13:4 ; Acts 15:8 ; Acts 19:6 ; Acts 20:23 , Acts 20:28 ; Acts 21:11 ; Acts 21:28 , Acts 21:25 .Ephesians 1:13 ; Ephesians 4:30 . Hebrews 3:7 ; Hebrews 9:8 ; Hebrews 9:10 . is. Twenty-eight times (7 x 4 = 28. App-10 ). See App-101 .

he = that One. Greek. ekeinos.

teach . Greek. didasko. Occurs 97 times, always rendered "teach". Compare 1 John 2:27 . Other words translated "teach "are katangello, Acts 16:21 ; katecheo, 1 Corinthians 14:19 . Galatians 1:6 , Galatians 1:6 ; matheteuo, Matthew 28:19 . Acts 14:21 ; and paideuo, Acts 22:3 .Titus 2:12 .

bring, &c. = put you in mind of. Occurs seven times: Luk 22:61 . 2 Timothy 2:14 . Tit 3:1 . 2 Peter 1:12 . 2 John 1:10 . Jude 1:5 . Compare John 2:17 , John 2:22 ; John 12:16 . Luke 24:6 , Luke 24:8 (a kindred word).

Verse 27

Peace. Figure of speech Synecdoche. Greek. eirene. Six times in John, always by the Lord. Compare Daniel 10:19 .

with you = to you.

My peace . The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ) alone can give true peace. Compare John 16:33 ; John 20:19 , John 20:21 , John 20:26 . Luke 24:36 .

unto = to,

world. Greek kosmos. App-129 . The world talks of peace, and we have Peace Societies, and Temples of Peace, while the nations are arming to the teeth. The world (Acts 4:27 ) slew Him Who came to bring peace, and now talks of creating a "World's Peace" without the Prince of Peace, in ignorance of Psalms 2:1 . Pro 1:25-27 . 1 Thessalonians 5:8 .

neither . Greek mede.

be afraid = show cowardice. Greek. deiliao. Occures only here. The noun deilia. Occurs only in 2 Timothy 1:7 , and the adjective deilos in Matthew 8:26 . Mark 4:40 . Revelation 21:8 .

Verse 28

have heard = heard (Aor.)

come again = am coming (omit "again "). I said. All the texts omit.

greater . The Lord was not inferior as to His essential being (see verses: John 14:9-11 ; John 10:30 ), but as to His office, as sent by the Father. See 1 Corinthians 15:27 . Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:9-11 .

Verse 29

now . Greek. nee. See John 12:27 .

believe . App-150 .

Verse 30

Hereafter I will not = No longer (Greek. ouk eti) will I.

prince. See John 12:31 .

nothing . Greek. ouk ouden, a double negative, for emphasis. No sin for Satan to work upon. Compare John 8:46 . 2Co 6:21 .Hebrews 4:15 . 1 Peter 2:22 , 1Pe 2:23 ; 1 John 3:5 .

Verse 31

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

I love . The only place where the Lord speaks of loving the Father. Six times the Father's love to the Son is mentioned, John 3:35 ; John 10:17 ; John 16:9 ; John 17:23 , John 17:24 , John 17:26 . The adjective agapetos, beloved, does not occur in John's Gospel, but nine times in his Epistles. See App-135 .

as = even as.

gave . . . commandment = charged. Compare Matthew 4:6 ; Matthew 17:9 , and see notes on Isa. . Joh 49:6-9 .

even so. Compare John 3:14 ; John 5:23 ; Joh 12:60 . Note even as . . . even so.

I do = I am doing, i.e. carrying it out in obedience to the Father's will. Compare John 4:34 ; John 5:30 ; John 6:38-40 . Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:8 . Hebrews 5:8 ,

arise. Implying haste . Greek. egeiro. App-178 .

let us go . Compare John 11:15 .