John 14 · KJV
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John 14

The way to the Father

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Jesus comforts his disciples: in his Father's house are many dwelling places, and he is going to prepare a place for them. When Thomas says they do not know the way, Jesus answers, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." When Philip asks to see the Father, Jesus says that whoever has seen him has seen the Father.

What does this mean?

"Mansions" (KJV) does not mean grand houses; it comes from a Latin word for dwelling places, and the WEB has "homes". "In my name" means on his authority and in keeping with who he is.

Historical context

Chapters 14 to 17 are often called the Farewell Discourse. Farewell speeches by great figures before their deaths, such as Moses in Deuteronomy, were a familiar form in Jewish and Greek literature.

Why does it matter?

"I am the way, the truth, and the life" is one of the most quoted sayings in the Gospel and has been central to Christian claims about Jesus' unique role. The idea that the Father is seen in Jesus develops the prologue (1:18). The promise of "greater works" is usually read as referring to the disciples' work after Jesus' departure.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

The promise of the Spirit and of peace

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Jesus promises that the Father will send another Counselor, the Spirit of truth, to be with the disciples for ever and to teach and remind them of all he said. He will not leave them orphans: those who love him will keep his word, and he and the Father will make their home with them. He leaves them his peace and tells them to get up and go.

What does this mean?

"Comforter" (KJV) or "Counselor" (WEB) translates paraclete, a Greek word for someone called alongside to help: an advocate, helper or encourager. "Abide" means remain or live. "Judas (not Iscariot)" is a different disciple, probably the Judas "of James" in Luke's list of the Twelve (Luke 6:16).

Historical context

Peace (shalom in Hebrew) was the usual greeting and farewell, meaning wholeness and well-being, not just absence of conflict. "The prince of this world" refers to Satan.

Why does it matter?

The words "Arise, let us go hence" (verse 31) are followed by three more chapters of speech before Jesus leaves in 18:1. Many scholars think this shows the discourse was assembled in stages; others suggest the group walked as Jesus spoke. Later Christian teaching about the Holy Spirit drew heavily on chapters 14 to 16.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

Chapters

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21

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Reading

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Appearance

Verse numbersSmall numerals within the text
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