John 14
Expanded Bible
Jesus Comforts His Followers
14 Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. ·Trust [Believe] in God, and ·trust [believe] in me [or You trust/believe in God, trust/believe also in me]. 2 There are many ·rooms [places to live] in my Father’s house [C heaven, metaphorically portrayed as a great palace]; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 ·After [L And if] I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going[a] [C because they know Jesus; 14:6].”
5 Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. So how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am ·the way, and the truth, and the life [or the one true way to have life]. ·The only way to the Father is through me [L No one comes to the Father except through me]. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father, too. ·But now [or From now on] you do know him, and you have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”
9 Jesus answered, “I have been with you ·a long time now [all this time; for so long]. Do you still not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. So why do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you don’t come ·from me [on my own authority], but the Father ·lives [remains; abides] in me and does his own work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or believe because of ·the miracles I have done [L the works themselves]. 12 ·I tell you the truth [L Truly, truly, I say to you], whoever believes in me will do the same things that I do. Those who believe will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [C They will do greater things because all believers—not just Jesus—will have the Holy Spirit living in them and empowering them.] 13 And if you ask for anything in my name [C asking “in my name” means acknowledging that Jesus is the mediator between God and human beings; the name represents the person], I will do it for you so that ·the Father’s glory will be shown [L the Father might be glorified] ·through [or in] the Son. 14 If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
15 “·If you love me, you will obey my commands [or If you love me, obey my commands; C this may be either a declaration or a command]. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another ·Helper [Counselor; Advocate; C the Holy Spirit] to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot ·accept [receive] him, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he ·lives [remains; abides] with you and he will be ·in [or among] you.
18 “I will not leave you all alone like orphans [C orphans had little or no support in ancient society]; I will ·come back [L come] to you. 19 In a little while the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live, too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and that you are in me and I am in you. 21 Those who ·know [L have] my commands and ·obey [keep] them are the ones who love me, and my Father will love those who love me. I will love them and will ·show [reveal] myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot [C probably Judas son of James; Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13]) said, “But, Lord, ·why do [how is it that; what has happened that] you plan to ·show [reveal] yourself to us and not to the rest of the world?”
23 Jesus answered, “If people love me, they will ·obey my teaching [L keep my word]. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Those who do not love me do not ·obey my teaching [L keep my words]. This ·teaching [word] that you hear is not really mine; it is from my Father, who sent me.
25 “I have told you all these things while I ·am [remain; abide] with you. 26 But the ·Helper [Counselor; Advocate; see 14:15] will teach you ·everything [all things] and will ·cause you to remember [remind you of] all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name.
27 “I leave you peace [C the Greek word for “peace” reflects the Hebrew shalom, a typical Hebrew farewell; but Jesus’ peace, in the sense of wholeness, is also a characteristic of the messianic kingdom]; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going, but I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you should ·be happy [rejoice] that I am going back to the Father, because he is greater than I am. 29 I have told you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens, you will believe [13:19]. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ·ruler [prince] of this world [C Satan] is coming. He has ·no power [no claim/hold; L nothing] over me, 31 but the world must know that I love the Father, so I do ·exactly what [just as] the Father ·told [commanded] me to do [C go to the cross].
“·Come now [L Get up; Rise up], let us go.
Footnotes
- John 14:4 You … going. Some Greek copies read “You know where I am going and the way to the place I am going.”
John 14
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
I Go To Prepare a Place For You So That You May Be With Me. And You Know The Way
14 “Do not let your[a] heart be troubled. Be believing[b] in God. Be believing also in Me. 2 There are many places-to-stay[c] in the house of My Father— otherwise, I would have told you. 3 For I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming back[d]. And I will take[e] you to Myself— in order that where I am, you also may be. 4 And you know the way where I am going”.
I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life. And You Have Seen The Father
5 Thomas says to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How are we able to know the way?” 6 Jesus says to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through[f] Me. 7 If you[g] have known Me, you will know[h] My Father also. And from now on, you know Him, and you have seen Him”.
He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen The Father
8 Philip says to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us”. 9 Jesus says to him, “Am I with you[i] all for so long a time, and you[j] have not known[k] Me, Philip?— the one having seen Me has seen the Father. How is it you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? I am not speaking the words which I am saying to you[l] from Myself, but the Father abiding in Me is doing His works. 11 Be believing Me— that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, be believing because of the works themselves.
You Will Do Greater Works Than I. The Father Will Send You The Helper
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you— the one believing in Me, that one also will do the works which I am doing. And he will do greater[m] works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever thing you ask in My name, this I will do, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will request the Father, and He will give you another Helper[n] to be with[o] you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, Whom the world is not able to receive because it does not see nor know Him. You know Him because He abides with[p] you, and will be in[q] you.
You Will See Me Again. And I Will Reveal Myself To Those Who Love Me
18 “I will not leave you as orphans. I am going to come to you. 19 A little longer, and the world is no longer going to see Me, but you are going to see Me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day, you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 The one having My commandments and keeping them— that one is the one loving[r] Me. And the one loving Me will be loved by My Father. And I will love him and reveal Myself to him”.
The Father And I Will Abide With Those Who Love Me And Keep My Word
22 Judas (not the Iscariot) says to Him, “Lord, what indeed has taken place that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world[s]?” 23 Jesus responded and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. And My Father will love him. And We will come to him. And We will make a place-to-stay with him. 24 The one not loving Me does not keep My words. And the word which you[t] are hearing is not Mine, but the Father’s having sent Me.
The Holy Spirit Whom The Father Will Send In My Name Will Teach You All Things
25 “I have spoken these things to you while staying[u] with you. 26 But the Helper— the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name— that One will teach you all things, and remind you of everything which I said to you.
I Leave You My Peace. Do Not Be Troubled. I Am Returning To The Father
27 “I leave you peace. I give you My peace. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid[v]. 28 You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going, and I am coming to you’. If you were loving[w] Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because[x] the Father is greater than Me. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, in order that when it takes place, you may believe.
I Love The Father And Am Doing Just What He Commanded Me To Do
30 “I will no longer speak many things with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. And he does not have anything[y] in Me, 31 but it is taking place in order that the world may know that I love[z] the Father, and that just as the Father commanded Me, so I am doing.
I Am The Vine. Abide In Me And Bear Much Fruit. Abide In My Love
“Arise, let us be going from here.
Footnotes
- John 14:1 This word is plural. Jesus resumes addressing them all.
- John 14:1 Or, this may be a statement, You are believing.
- John 14:2 Or, abodes, dwellings, rooms, homes.
- John 14:3 Or, again.
- John 14:3 Or, receive.
- John 14:6 Or, by-means-of.
- John 14:7 This is plural. Jesus addresses them all through Thomas.
- John 14:7 This is a promise. Some manuscripts have this as a rebuke, If you had known Me, you would have known.
- John 14:9 This word is plural, referring to them all.
- John 14:9 This word is singular.
- John 14:9 Or, come-to-know.
- John 14:10 This word is plural again.
- John 14:12 That is, works producing greater (more extensive) results than the miracles of Jesus.
- John 14:16 Or, Comforter, Counselor.
- John 14:16 Or, in your midst.
- John 14:17 Or, among, beside.
- John 14:17 Or, within.
- John 14:21 Jesus broadens His promise in this verse from ‘you’ to all the ones loving Him.
- John 14:22 The Jews expected Messiah to reveal Himself to the world and reign from Jerusalem. Jesus answers by reiterating His statement.
- John 14:24 This is plural. Jesus may mean ‘you apostles’, emphasizing the authority of His words; or, ‘you people on earth’ in general, emphasizing the gravity of not keeping them.
- John 14:25 Or, remaining, abiding.
- John 14:27 Or, cowardly, timid. That is, afraid to act.
- John 14:28 That is, able to be expressing your love for Me right now.
- John 14:28 That is, because I am returning to the greatness and glory I share with the Father, having accomplished what I came to do, 17:4-5.
- John 14:30 Satan has no claim on Jesus, no point under his authority or rule. What Jesus does, He does voluntarily.
- John 14:31 This love is seen in Christ’s obedience to the Father’s will for Him (as it is with us, v 15, 21).
John 14
New King James Version
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
14 “Let (A)not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 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. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 (E)Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 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
7 (K)“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 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
- John 14:2 Lit. dwellings
- John 14:2 NU would I have told you that I go or I would have told you; for I go
- John 14:14 NU ask Me
- John 14:15 NU you will keep
- John 14:16 Comforter, Gr. Parakletos
- John 14:21 reveal
- John 14:26 Comforter, Gr. Parakletos
- John 14:28 NU omits I said
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
