Bible Commentaries
John 14

Verse 1

1.

Do not be worried and upset. He knows what will happen to him this night, and that he will die on the Cross the next day, But Jesus does not ask for help, he gives it! And believe also in me. They were confused by the thought of his death. He asks them to believe in him as they believe in God.

Verse 2

2.

There are many rooms. [Mansion = a room or apartment in a large building.] He is going home to his Father’s house, which has enough rooms for every one of the saved. And I am going to prepare a place for you. He will not leave them “orphans.” This time of sorrow and sadness is only a step toward a much better home than earth can give. If it were not so. He speaks the truth to them! His very purpose in leaving them, is to prepare for them to be with him in Eternity. [The preparation is the Cross including the ascension to sit at the Father’s right side, Compare Matthew 25:34; Colossians 1:20; Revelation 1:5-6; Revelation 5:9-10.]

Verse 3

3.

I will come back, He speaks here of his Second Coming, when the dead are raised to life, and all who belong to Christ will be taken to the “Wedding Feast in Heaven.” Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Verses 4-6

4–6.

Thomas said to him. “Lord, we expected you to be our King in Jerusalem. We do not understand.” I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God, either in heaven or on earth, except through Jesus Christ the Son of God!. Compare Ephesians 1:21-23; Acts 4:12.

Verse 7

7.

You will know my Father also. To see Jesus is to see the Father. Jesus had been leading them to the Father. Now they are to deliberately come to the Father.

Verse 8

8.

Show us the Father. Philips wants something visible, so he can know God in the same way he knows people.

Verse 9

9.

Whoever has seen me. Jesus himself is the “SOMETHING VISIBLE!”

Verse 10

10. Do you not believe? Jesus is God in human form! See Colossians 1:15; Colossians 2:9.

Verses 11-12

11–12.

Will do even greater ones. Not greater miracles, but to bring about moral and spiritual revolution in this world. See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:9.

Verses 13-14

13–14.

Whatever you ask for in my name. Everyone who has been united to Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) has the authority to use Christ’s name in their prayer to the Father! The Holy Spirit is our “prayer-partner” (Romans 8:26). Because of Christ, Christians come BRAVELY to God’s throne (Hebrews 4:16).

Verse 15

15.

If you love me. Obedience grows out of love!

Verse 16

16.

I will ask the Father. See notes on Acts 1:4-5. Another Helper. Jesus himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven (1 John 2:2), and only he is the one who brings God and man together [the “go-between” (mediator)]. Another means “a second one of the same kind.” Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit plead with God for us [intercede for us], as we see from Romans 8:26; 1 John 2:1. To stay with you forever. Johnson says: “Through this agency he will be with his people “always.” Compare Ephesians 2:22.

Verse 17

17.

The world cannot receive him. He is the Spirit of truth. The Spirit comes to men in the Word of God, and whoever receives and believes the Good News, receives the Holy Spirit. Compare John 3:3-6; 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 : Acts 2:38 and notes there.

Verses 18-19

18–19.

I will not leave you alone. [Orphans.] He will ask the Father to send another Helper. But you will see me. He uses the present continuous verb which implies a continual seeing. He does not speak of the post-resurrection appearances, which terminated after forty days. They will share his life through the Spirit (Galatians 4:6-7).

Verse 20

20.

When that day comes. “That day” began at Pentecost! They would be jubilant when they came to know the full meaning of God’s act in Christ! See 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.

Verses 21-23

21–23.

Whoever accepts my commandments. To accept Christ is to accept the obligation which he places on you. (1) You must love Christ. (2) This love will cause you to obey him. (3) God will love you, because you love Christ. (4) Both the Father and the Son will live with you. (5) They will live with you through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Verse 26

26.

Will teach you everything. This is a special promise to the apostles. Read what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 3:4; and 2 Peter 1:15. They recorded this knowledge in permanent form as the New Testament. It would be incredible to believe they omitted anything of importance in their writings.

Verse 27

27.

Peace I leave with you. This is his blessing to both they and the messianic community (Philippians 4:6-7).

Verse 28

28.

If you loved me. He gives them a gentle scolding. They do love him, but they are in part selfish in their wish to keep him there. Because he is greater than I. [Philippians 2:6-7] The point is that the blessings of the Holy Spirit would be sent by the Father only after Jesus had returned to heaven.

Verse 30

30.

Because the ruler of this world. Satan, working through wicked men. See note on Revelation 13:2.

Verse 31

31.

But the world must know. He acted out this love in the Cross! Let us go. Jesus said all these things while they were still in the “upstairs room.” McGarvey thinks chapters 15–17 contain things which were spoken after they rose from the table and were getting ready to leave, and that John 18:1 shows them leaving the “upstairs room” and crossing the brook Kidron. The Expositor’s Greek Testament thinks this is most probable.