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Jesus, the Way to the Father

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b] When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, obey[d] my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,[e] who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.[f] 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

Footnotes

  1. 14:2a Or There are many rooms in my Father’s house.
  2. 14:2b Or If this were not so, I would have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you. Some manuscripts read If this were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
  3. 14:7 Some manuscripts read If you have really known me, you will know who my Father is.
  4. 14:15 Other manuscripts read you will obey; still others read you should obey.
  5. 14:16 Or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete; also in 14:26.
  6. 14:17 Some manuscripts read and is in you.

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let (A)not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. (B)I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, (C)I will come again and receive you to Myself; that (D)where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

(E)Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am (F)the way, (G)the truth, and (H)the life. (I)No one comes to the Father (J)except through Me.

The Father Revealed

(K)“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? (L)He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that (M)I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you (N)I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, (O)or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

The Answered Prayer

12 (P)“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 (Q)And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be (R)glorified in the Son. 14 If you [c]ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Jesus Promises Another Helper

15 (S)“If you love Me, [d]keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and (T)He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 (U)the Spirit of truth, (V)whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you (W)and will be in you. 18 (X)I will not leave you orphans; (Y)I will come to you.

Indwelling of the Father and the Son

19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but (Z)you will see Me. (AA)Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that (AB)I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 (AC)He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and [f]manifest Myself to him.”

22 (AD)Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, (AE)and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and (AF)the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Gift of His Peace

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But (AG)the [g]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will (AH)send in My name, (AI)He will teach you all things, and bring to your (AJ)remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 (AK)Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me (AL)say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because [h]I said, (AM)‘I am going to the Father,’ for (AN)My Father is greater than I.

29 “And (AO)now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, (AP)for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has (AQ)nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and (AR)as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Footnotes

  1. John 14:2 Lit. dwellings
  2. John 14:2 NU would I have told you that I go or I would have told you; for I go
  3. John 14:14 NU ask Me
  4. John 14:15 NU you will keep
  5. John 14:16 Comforter, Gr. Parakletos
  6. John 14:21 reveal
  7. John 14:26 Comforter, Gr. Parakletos
  8. John 14:28 NU omits I said

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.(A) You believe(B) in God[a];(C) believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there(D) to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back(E) and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.(F) You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

Thomas(G) said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am(H) the way(I) and the truth(J) and the life.(K) No one comes to the Father except through me.(L) If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well.(M) From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip(N) said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.(O) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?(P) The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.(Q) Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.(R) 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes(S) in me will do the works I have been doing,(T) and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask(U) in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.(V) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate(W) to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.(X) The world cannot accept him,(Y) because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans;(Z) I will come to you.(AA) 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.(AB) Because I live, you also will live.(AC) 20 On that day(AD) you will realize that I am in my Father,(AE) and you are in me, and I am in you.(AF) 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.(AG) The one who loves me will be loved by my Father,(AH) and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas(AI) (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”(AJ)

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.(AK) My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.(AL) 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.(AM)

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate,(AN) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,(AO) will teach you all things(AP) and will remind you of everything I have said to you.(AQ) 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.(AR) I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled(AS) and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’(AT) If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father,(AU) for the Father is greater than I.(AV) 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.(AW) 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world(AX) is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.(AY)

“Come now; let us leave.

Footnotes

  1. John 14:1 Or Believe in God
  2. John 14:7 Some manuscripts If you really knew me, you would know
  3. John 14:17 Some early manuscripts and is

Ultimately Peter is telling the truth. He is more than willing to lay down his life. But none of His disciples understand the magnitude of the persecution and hatred that is about to be unleashed.

Even Peter, Jesus’ dear Peter, is afraid. He protests any inference to Jesus’ impending departure. Each of the twelve would do the same. Jesus calms their fears over and over again with stories, metaphors, and outright promises, saying, “I will never abandon you like orphans; I will return to be with you” (14:18).

14 Jesus: Don’t get lost in despair; believe in God, and keep on believing in Me. My Father’s home is designed to accommodate all of you. If there were not room for everyone, I would have told you that. I am going to make arrangements for your arrival. I will be there to greet you personally and welcome you home, where we will be together. You know where I am going and how to get there.

Thomas: Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the path?

Jesus: I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you know Me, you know the Father. Rest assured now; you know Him and have seen Him.

Philip: Lord, all I am asking is that You show us the Father.

Jesus (to Philip): I have lived with you all this time, and you still don’t know who I am? If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. How can you keep asking to see the Father? 10 Don’t you believe Me when I say I abide in the Father and the Father dwells in Me? I’m not making this up as I go along. The Father has given Me these truths that I have been speaking to you, and He empowers all My actions. 11 Accept these truths: I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me. If you have trouble believing based on My words, believe because of the things I have done. 12 I tell you the truth: whoever believes in Me will be able to do what I have done, but they will do even greater things, because I will return to be with the Father. 13 Whatever you ask for in My name, I will do it so that the Father will get glory from the Son. 14 Let Me say it again: if you ask for anything in My name, I will do it. 15 If you love Me, obey the commandments I have given you. 16 I will ask the Father to send you another Helper, the Spirit of truth, who will remain constantly with you. 17 The world does not recognize the Spirit of truth, because it does not know the Spirit and is unable to receive Him. But you do know the Spirit because He lives with you, and He will dwell in you. 18 I will never abandon you like orphans; I will return to be with you. 19 In a little while, the world will not see Me; but I will not vanish completely from your sight. Because I live, you will also live. 20 At that time, you will know that I am in the Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 The one who loves Me will do the things I have commanded. My Father loves everyone who loves Me; and I will love you and reveal My heart, will, and nature to you.

God becomes flesh and lives among humanity, not just to have a transaction with people and ultimately die, but to continue to be with them and to send His Spirit to be present with believers. So God calls His Spirit-indwelled people to something greater, something more significant: they are here as redeeming forces on this earth; their time here is about reclaiming the things He has created. Believing God has created the entire cosmos and that it is restored in Jesus, the believer’s work here through the Spirit is to say, “This belongs to God,” and to help point out the beauty of creation to everyone. And most of all, to live in it themselves by the power of the Holy Spirit who plants the teachings of the Lord in their hearts.

The Other Judas: 22 Lord, why will You reveal Yourself to us, but not to the world?

Jesus: 23 Anyone who loves Me will listen to My voice and obey. The Father will love him, and We will draw close to him and make a dwelling place within him. 24 The one who does not love Me ignores My message, which is not from Me, but from the Father who sent Me.

25 I have spoken these words while I am here with you. 26 The Father is sending a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, in My name to teach you everything and to remind you of all I have said to you. 27 My peace is the legacy I leave to you. I don’t give gifts like those of this world. Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You were listening when I said, “I will go away, but I will also return to be with you.” If you love Me, celebrate the fact that I am going to be with the Father because He is far greater than I am. 29 I have told you all these things in advance so that your faith will grow as these things come to pass. 30 I am almost finished speaking to you. The one who rules the world is stepping forward, and he has no part in Me; 31 but to demonstrate to the cosmos My love for the Father, I will do just as He commands. Stand up. It is time for us to leave this place.