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.