Bible Commentaries
John 14

Verse 1

John 14:1

Peter was “troubled” (same word John had used in John 11:33), due to the thought of Jesus leaving them (John 13:33). However, Jesus had told Peter that they would come to where He was going later on (see notes on John 13:36). Jesus was speaking to Peter, but His words apply to every believer. Jesus said it, therefore we can believe it. We believe God, the Father. We ought also to believe God, the Son.

Verse 2

John 14:2

To the question of where Jesus was going (John 13:33), Jesus answered, “my Father’s house.” A house is a place where one may choose to make his abode. Where does God dwell? God dwells in Heaven (1 Kings 8:30, 1 Kings 8:39, 1 Kings 8:43, 1 Kings 8:49, Psalms 11:4, Psalms 123:1, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Daniel 2:28, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 5:45, Matthew 5:48, Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 7:11, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 10:32-33, Matthew 12:50, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 18:14, Matthew 18:19, Matthew 23:9, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 11:2, John 6:51, Colossians 4:1, 1 John 5:7, Revelation 4:1, Revelation 11:19). Although God has chosen Heaven as His habitation and capital, God is also omnipresent, that is to say, He is everywhere at all times, and there is nowhere that He is not there also (1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chronicles 6:18, Psalms 139:8, Isaiah 57:15, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Matthew 18:20, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:22, Revelation 14:10).

Additionally, Jesus talked about “many mansions” within His “Father’s house” (compare Jesus’ statement with 2 Corinthians 5:1-4). Jesus said that He is going there to prepare a place for us. We will get our reward in heaven Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6:20, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18, Matthew 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 6:23, Luke 18:22, Colossians 1:5, 1 Peter 1:14, and there will be a place designed just for each and every person. Hallelujah!

Verse 3

John 14:3

Jesus had told them He was going away (John 13:33). While He is gone, He will prepare a place for us (John 14:2). How will we get to the place He has prepared for us? He will come back to get us (Psalms 49:15, Matthew 24:27-44, Matthew 25:27, Matthew 26:64, Mark 13:26-36, Mark 14:62, Luke 21:26-28, John 14:28, 1 Corinthians 1:7, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, James 5:7-9, 2 Peter 3:2-12), and we will be with Him there ( Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 60:19-20, John 17:24, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Revelation 7:14-17, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:3-5).

The good news about their heavenly house was not intended for the apostles only, because it applies to all believers (see notes on John 3:15), that is, true followers of Christ (John 12:26).

Verse 4

John 14:4

Jesus told them He was going to where His Father is (John 14:2), so they knew where He was going. They also knew the way to the Father (John 10:7-10), but Jesus would make it plain and clear in John 14:6.

Verse 5

John 14:5

Thomas hadn’t been paying attention and wasn’t exercising spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14), because Jesus had already told them the answers to both of Thomas’ queries (see notes for John 13:33 through John 14:4). To alleviate any confusion or misunderstandings regarding what Jesus had been telling them though, the Lord gave us the beautifully comforting and bold statement found in John 14:6.

Verse 6

John 14:6

This verse in our Bible is one of the most often quoted passages of scripture. The statement, from our Lord Himself, is plainly understood, elegantly simple and yet deeply profound. It was a bold statement, and there was none like it from any other religious leader or holy man. No one had ever dared to proclaim that God was His Father, and that He was the only way to God.

Moreover, all other religions don’t have a plan for salvation. There is no eternal hope. Some offer one life after another life in an ever going circle of pain and suffering. Some offer enlightenment, but there is no purpose given for the exaltation other than self glorification or self actualization. One would think that an enlightened person would be less concerned with self. Some offer only religious rituals and traditions and repetitious pious acts for the here and now, but there is no telling how many times one must bow to this or pray facing in that direction or do so and so many acts of service to gain the way to God. There is no plan.

However, Jesus boldly said, “I am the way.” To that incredible declaration He added, “No one will be allowed to live with God except those that accept me as the way to God.” All other “ways” are lies, but Jesus is the true way (John 1:17, John 15:1, John 18:37-38, 1 John 5:20). All other ways lead to death (Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25, Isaiah 35:8-9, Matthew 7:13, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:18, Philippians 3:18-19, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:19-20, Revelation 20:15), but His way leads to life (Matthew 7:14, John 1:4, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 5:25-29, John 6:33, John 6:40, John 6:57, John 10:28, John 11:25-26, John 20:31, 1 John 5:11-13).

See notes on John 5:24 for the difference between physical and spiritual life and death.

Verse 7

John 14:7

Jesus had said the first part of this verse before to the Pharisees (John 8:19). To His original statement Jesus added that they will know the Father from that point on, and they have seen the Father (see also John 12:45). John 1:18 declares that no one has seen the Father except Jesus, but Jesus has revealed Him to us through His words and deeds (John 10:38, John 14:10-11, John 15:24).

Verse 8

John 14:8

Philip’s response to Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 revealed that he, and likely most others in The Twelve (see notes on John 20:24), didn’t yet understand Jesus’ representation of the Father (see notes on John 14:7). Philip said that they’d be satisfied if they had a visual revelation of the Father, but Jesus is a physical manifestation (see notes on John 14:9) of the spiritual God (John 4:24, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Timothy 1:17).

Verse 9

John 14:9

Others had asked Philip to show them Jesus (John 12:21), and he asked Jesus to show him the father (John 14:8).

Jesus had proclaimed loudly, in front of many witnesses, that to see Him is to see the Father (see notes on John 12:45). Philip had seen Jesus almost on a daily basis for three years and looked into His face (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus’ mortal countenance had been fashioned in Mary’s womb to look like what God, the Father, would look like in fleshly form (2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:14-15, Hebrews 1:1-3). When Philip saw Jesus, he saw God Himself. Those who looked upon Christ were able to see in the flesh what cannot be seen in the spirit by fleshly eyes (Exodus 33:20, John 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:16).

Verse 10

John 14:10

Jesus was saying, “Don’t you believe what I’ve said to you?” Jesus had spoken about His unification with the Father before (see notes on John 7:29, John 10:30, John 10:38, John 14:1, John 14:9), and He would speak of it again (John 14:11, John 17:8, John 17:21-23). Jesus said only what the Father told Him to say (see notes on John 7:16, John 8:38, John 12:49, John 17:8), and He did only what the Father told Him to do (see notes on John 5:19, John 5:36, John 6:38, John 9:4).

Verse 11

John 14:11

Jesus said, “Believe me.” We can trust Jesus to tell us the truth, because He is the truth (John 14:6), and He said and did only what the Father told Him to say and do (see notes on John 14:10). However, if what He said to us is still hard for us to believe, let the incredible miracles that Jesus performed declare His standing with God (Matthew 4:24, John 10:38, Acts 2:22, Acts 10:38).

See notes on John 10:25.

Verse 12

John 14:12

As a motivation to believe what He said, Jesus gives a promise of greatness to the believers. Jesus assured us that His works would be repeated by those that believe in Him (see notes on John 3:15). Incredibly, He added, “and greater works than these shall he do.” “Greater?” Yes greater, because Jesus did the redemptive work of His own sacrifice for our salvation, we are now allowed to be a part of bringing others into the body of Christ. There is no greater miracle than the salvation of one that is lost, and many of those miracles happened at one time (Acts 2:41, Acts 2:47, Acts 4:4, Acts 6:7, Acts 13:48, Acts 16:31-34, Acts 21:20).

Once Jesus is with the Father in Heaven, His sacrificial act would be done (John 19:30), and He would be the glorified risen Lord (Ezekiel 39:13, John 12:16, John 12:23, Acts 3:13-15). The exalted resurrected Christ is able to assist us in any way that we need through the Holy Spirit (John 7:39, Acts 4:10, Romans 7:4) in order that we may to go into the entire world spreading the gospel (Mark 16:15).

Verse 13

John 14:13

What an incredible promise! Jesus said that once He is with the Father (John 14:12), He will do what we ask Him to do. He put only one condition on the promise; if we ask it in Jesus’ name. He put no limits either. He said, “whatsoever.” He added, as though to give us some rational for such kindness (Psalms 31:21, Psalms 117:2, Isaiah 54:8-10, Romans 2:4, Ephesians 2:7, Titus 3:4), that doing so would glorify the Father through the Son’s abilities that the Father had given Him. God is love (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16) and His love is demonstrated through giving of Himself to others (John 3:16).

The promise was so unimaginable and extraordinary that Jesus repeated the thrust of it again in John 14:14. It is as though He was saying, “I’m telling you the truth, and I mean what I say ... anything at all ... just ask it in my name, and I will do it.”

Verse 14

John 14:14

See notes on John 14:13.

The use of Jesus’ name is the holy insignia that secures our prayer’s passage through the Lord’s heavenly grounds, into the holy courts (Psalms 100:4) and straight to God’s throne (Hebrews 4:15-16). Saying His name prayerfully is the seal of approval upon our petition (John 16:23-26). Just the sound of His name is the highest form of praise and worship (Philippians 2:10).

Verse 15

John 14:15

If our Earthly father took us into a store and promised to give us anything that we want (see notes on John 14:13-14), and all we have to do is ask, our natural reaction would be to say, “I love you.” Our Lord’s response is to say, “prove you love me through your obedience to me (1 Samuel 15:22, Mark 12:33-34, John 14:21-24, 1 John 2:3-5, 1 John 5:2-3).”

See notes on John 15:10.

Verse 16

John 14:16

Jesus would be going away to the Father (John 13:33, John 14:2-3). His leaving needn’t worry them though, since they will do great things due to Jesus’ departure (John 14:12). Why? His reunification with the Father in Heaven secures access to the holy favor of God (see notes on John 14:13-14). Jesus will also pray to the Father for them (Isaiah 53:12, Romans 8:27, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:22-25). On Jesus’ behalf, the Father will send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) to comfort the believer through a sure testimony within us (John 15:26) that Jesus is still with us (1 Kings 8:57, Psalms 27:9, Proverbs 18:24, Hebrews 13:5). Actually, we couldn’t have the Holy Spirit unless Jesus went back to the Father (John 16:7).

Verse 17

John 14:17

“Spirit of Truth” is another name for the Holy Spirit (John 15:26), as is “comforter” (John 14:16, John 14:26, John 16:7) and Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14). Jesus referred to the Holy Ghost as the Spirit of Truth, because He will reveal “all” the truth to us (Jeremiah 31:33, John 16:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 8:10, 1 John 2:20 ) and teach (Romans 8:14, 1 Corinthians 2:11-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:21-235, 1 John 2:27) us how to live.

Before the advent of the Holy Spirit in the house where Jesus’ disciples were waiting (Acts 2:1-4), the Spirit was only “with” us and “on” us (Psalms 51:11, Numbers 24:2, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 11:6, 1 Samuel 19:20-23, 2 Chronicles 15:1, 2 Chronicles 24:20, Ezekiel 11:24, Matthew 3:16). After that glorious day of Pentecost, the Spirit was released into us (Isaiah 63:9-12, Matthew 5:6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 John 1:2). There were only three exceptions, and each instance involved John the Baptist. The Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was even born (Luke 1:13-15). This incredible anointing of the Holy Ghost prior to the day of Pentecost spoken of in Acts 2:1-21 gave John the Baptist a special highlight by Jesus among all the prophets (Matthew 11:11, Luke 7:28). Zacharias, John the Baptist’s father, referred to John as the “Prophet of the Highest” (Luke 1:76). The overflow from his anointing affected both his mother (Luke 1:41) and father (Luke 1:66-80), and they too were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Verse 18

John 14:18

Jesus told the disciples that He was going away (John 13:33), but the Holy Spirit would come to comfort them (John 14:16-17). To that He added, “I will come to you” again (see notes on John 14:3).

Verse 19

John 14:19

After His resurrection, the world would no longer see Him openly among them, but He would appear to His disciples (Matthew 28:8-10, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:1-8, Mark 16:14-18, Luke 24:13-51, John 20:11-30, John 21:1-23, Acts 9:3-7, 1 Corinthians 15:3-9). Jesus also appeared to SaulPaul (Acts 1:2-9, Acts 22:6-11, Acts 22:17-21, Acts 26:12-19) and to Stephen (Acts 7:55-56).

Besides just preaching Christ and Him crucified for our sins, remember His resurrection. Since He had power over death, believers are confident that we too will be resurrected into eternal life (Isaiah 26:19, John 5:28-29, Romans 6:5, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 15:16, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, 2 Corinthians 4:14, Philippians 3:21, Colossians 1:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, 1 Peter 1:3, Revelation 1:5).

Verse 20

John 14:20

When Jesus said, “At that day,” He meant on Resurrection Day (see notes on John 14:19). Before that day, they must act in faith believing, but on that day, they will know (1 Corinthians 13:12). What will they know? They will perceive and understand how interconnected the family of God is.

Verse 21

John 14:21

Jesus repeated the message in this verse three other times during the conversation (John 14:15, John 14:23, John 14:24). Obviously, it is important that we perceive and understand the meaning of the Lord’s admonition.

Having the Bible, and being able to read what Jesus said to us, is a wonderful gift of God (Psalms 19:7-11, Psalms 119:9-11, Psalms 119:97-104, Proverbs 6:23, Matthew 13:52, Romans 15:4, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:19-21, Galatians 3:22, 2 Timothy 3:16). What good is any gift to us though if, even after we have received it, we never use it (Matthew 7:24-26, Luke 6:47-49, John 9:31, James 4:17)? Moreover, who would receive a precious gift from someone they love and then throw the gift away (Matthew 13:46)? If you love the person, you keep the gift precious. If someone mishandles it, you say, “Be careful. That was a gift from my loved one.” A sure sign that we love Jesus and we appreciate His gift to us through the word, is that we treasure the word.

Still, having the gift and keeping it precious is only admiring something that has a use beyond household decoration. It is a waste of a valuable resource to keep the resource but never utilize it for what it was designed to do. God’s gift to us of the word is meant to be used daily (Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3). He didn’t give it to us to simply adore it, or worse; to hide it away somewhere to be safe (Matthew 5:15-16, Mark 4:21, Luke 8:16, Luke 11:33). His words are tools that can truly help us to do life better. Our having the commandments is only part of God’s intention though. We are to do what He told us to do in His word (Matthew 7:24, Luke 6:47, Galatians 3:12).

All of this comes with a promise. If we have His commandments, and we keep them, He will reveal Himself to us and make Himself real to us. If you want to see Jesus, study His word and put it into every day practice.

Verse 22

John 14:22

There were two disciples who were called Judas; Judas Iscariot, the betrayertraitor, and Lebbaeus Thaddaeus (Matthew 10:3). Lebbaeus Thaddaeus also went by; “Thaddaeus” (Mark 3:18), “Judas the brother of James” (Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13) and simply “Jude” (Judges 1:1). This Judas is Jesus’ half brother (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3). So, Jesus’ surname from Joseph was Thaddaeus.

One of Judas’ other brothers, James, was not one of the two James listed in the twelve disciplesapostles (1 Corinthians 15:5-8), but Paul identified him in the office of an apostle (Galatians 1:19). James later became the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17, Acts 15:13, Acts 21:18, Galatians 2:12).

Although John 7:5 tells us that some of Jesus’ half brothers didn’t even believe in Him at first, we know Judas had become one of the twelve disciples Jesus set apart as Apostles (Matthew 10:2-5, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16), and The Twelve (see notes on John 20:24) are spoken of prior to John 7:5 in John 6:67 and John 6:70-71. Developmentally, Judas had come a long way as a believer well before most of his other siblings, excluding James of course. In this verse, Judas addressed Jesus as “Lord.” However, Judas’ question illustrated how much he still didn’t understand (see notes on John 14:21). He believed in Jesus, but he had a lot to learn.

In the Bible we have record of four other men named Judas. There was a man named Judas in Jesus’ linage (Matthew 1:2). There was a “Judas of Galilee” that is listed as a false messiah (Acts 5:37). At Damascus, the blinded Saul was found by Ananias in the house of a man named Judas (Acts 9:11). Additionally, a prophet named Judas was sent together with Paul, Barnabas, and Silas to the gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia with an epistle from the church in Jerusalem (Acts 19:1-32).

Verse 23

John 14:23

See notes on John 14:21, John 15:10. To the earlier statements regarding keeping His words, Jesus added “make our abode with him.” He chose a word that depicts living under the same roof. He could have said, “we will abide with him.” In other words, “stay with him.” He chose instead to make the relationship more intimate. He chose to say that we will live together (Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah 62:5, Matthew 25:1, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9).

Verse 24

John 14:24

For loving Him and keeping His sayings, see notes on John 14:21.

For His words coming from the Father, see notes on John 8:38, John 12:44, John 14:10.

Verse 25

John 14:25

Jesus had prophesied to them so that later they’d remember and believe (John 14:29).

Verse 26

John 14:26

The things that Jesus taught them were not always immediately understood by His hearers (Matthew 13:13, Matthew 15:17, Matthew 16:11, Mark 8:21, Luke 8:10, John 8:43). Later, the Holy Ghost would help them and will help us both to recollect and to better understand what He had said (John 2:19-22, John 12:16, Acts 11:16). The Holy Spirit’s help to us is indeed a comfort to us (see notes on John 14:18).

Verse 27

John 14:27

Jesus had told His disciples He was leaving them (John 13:33). The thought of Jesus leaving troubled them (John 14:1). They didn’t know where He was going or how to continue following Him after He was gone (John 14:5). Jesus consoled them with the revelation that the Holy Ghost would come after He was gone to comfort them (John 14:6, John 14:18) and continue teaching them the truth (John 14:17, John 14:26).

The peace that Jesus left with them is the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Before Jesus left them, they didn’t understand all His teachings (see notes on John 14:26). Once they received the Holy Spirit, they received the fruit of the Spirit. In the fruit of the Spirit is a peace that makes the human need to understanding everything irrelevant (Philippians 4:7). With such a peace, there is no reason to be troubled or afraid.

People in the world are lost and deluded. They think they are having fun, from time to time, but they have no real peace. The fun turns to hangovers, stains on the floor, broken things, damaged relationships, and emotional scars. Is that peace? That is the peace the world offers, but Jesus offers the Holy Spirit.

Verse 28

John 14:28

See notes on John 14:27.

Verse 29

John 14:29

See notes on John 14:25.

Verse 30

John 14:30

Jesus’ quality discussion with His disciples was filled with information and revelation (John 13:31 - John 16:33), but the time for long conversations with them was about to be over. He was preparing to go pray with the Father before His arrest (Luke 22:44).

Jesus had called the devil the “prince of this world” before (John 12:31), and He would again (John 16:11).

Verse 31

John 14:31

He decided to press forward through the passion (Acts 1:3), so we would see how much He loved God, the Father. His love for the Father is evident by His obedience to the Fathers’ commandment to Him (1 Samuel 15:22, 1 Corinthians 7:19, Revelation 22:14). His Father tells Jesus what to do (see notes on John 12:49), and Jesus told His disciples what to do (Luke 6:46, John 13:34, John 13:17).