Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 (A)Do not let your heart be troubled; [a]believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many [b]rooms; if that were not so, [c]I would have told you, because (B)I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, (C)I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that (D)where I am, there you also will be. And you know the way where I am going.” (E)Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” Jesus *said to him, “I am (F)the way, and (G)the truth, and (H)the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

Oneness with the Father

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

(L)Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus *said to him, “Have I been with [e]you for so long a time, and yet [f]you have not come to know Me, Philip? (M)The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that (N)I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? (O)The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. 11 Believe Me that (P)I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise (Q)believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and (R)greater works than these he will do; because (S)I am going to the Father. 13 And (T)whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that (U)the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything (V)in My name, I will do it.

15 (W)If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

The Holy Spirit

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [g](X)Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is (Y)the Spirit of truth, (Z)whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; (AA)I am coming to you. 19 [h](AB)After a little while, (AC)the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; (AD)because I live, you also will live. 20 (AE)On that day you will know that (AF)I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. 21 (AG)The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and (AH)the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will (AI)reveal Myself to him.” 22 (AJ)Judas (not Iscariot) *said to Him, “Lord, what has happened (AK)that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, (AL)If anyone loves Me, he will (AM)follow My word; and (AN)My Father will love him, and We (AO)will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. 24 The one who does not love Me (AP)does not follow My words; and (AQ)the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. 26 But the (AR)Helper, the Holy Spirit (AS)whom the Father will send in My name, (AT)He will teach you all things, and (AU)remind you of all that I said to you. 27 (AV)Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. [i](AW)Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor [j]fearful. 28 (AX)You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away, and (AY)I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced [k]because (AZ)I am going to the Father, for (BA)the Father is greater than I. 29 And now (BB)I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. 30 I will not speak much more with you, for (BC)the ruler of the world is coming, and he has [l]nothing in regard to Me, 31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, [m]I do exactly as (BD)the Father commanded Me. Get up, (BE)let’s go from here.

Footnotes

  1. John 14:1 Or you believe in God, believe also
  2. John 14:2 Or dwelling places
  3. John 14:2 Or would I have told you that I am going...?
  4. John 14:7 Two early mss have come to know...you will know
  5. John 14:9 I.e., you plural, the disciples
  6. John 14:9 I.e., you singular, Philip
  7. John 14:16 Or Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor
  8. John 14:19 Lit Yet a little and the world
  9. John 14:27 Or Stop letting your hearts
  10. John 14:27 Or cowardly
  11. John 14:28 Or that
  12. John 14:30 I.e., no grounds for any accusation
  13. John 14:31 Lit and just as the Father...so I do

14 “Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. 2-3 There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly. And you know where I am going and how to get there.”

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

Jesus told him, “I am the Way—yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him—and have seen him!”

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

Jesus replied, “Don’t you even yet know who I am, Philip, even after all this time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does his work through me. 11 Just believe it—that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or else believe it because of the mighty miracles you have seen me do.

12-13 “In solemn truth I tell you, anyone believing in me shall do the same miracles I have done, and even greater ones, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask him for anything, using my name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you. 14 Yes, ask anything, using my name, and I will do it!

15-16 “If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, for it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, for he lives with you now and some day shall be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you. 19 In just a little while I will be gone from the world, but I will still be present with you. For I will live again—and you will too. 20 When I come back to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to him.”

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

23 Jesus replied, “Because I will only reveal myself to those who love me and obey me. The Father will love them too, and we will come to them and live with them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t obey me doesn’t love me. And remember, I am not making up this answer to your question! It is the answer given by 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 Comforter[a] instead of me—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you.

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.[b] 28 Remember what I told you—I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me.[c]

30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, for the evil prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will freely 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. John 14:26 Comforter, or “Helper.” instead of me, literally, “in my name.”
  2. John 14:27 So don’t be troubled or afraid, implied.
  3. John 14:29 in me, implied.

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.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, [a]I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Jesus’ Oneness with the Father

If you had [really] known Me, you would also have known My Father. From now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power]. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe [Me] because of the [very] works themselves [which you have witnessed]. 12 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name [[b]as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son.(A) 14 If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.

15 “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.

Role of the Spirit

16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [c]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you. 19 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him. 24 One who does not [really] love Me does not keep My words. And the word (teaching) which you hear is not Mine, but is the Father’s who sent Me.

25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the [d]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.(B) 27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] 28 You heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you [really] loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going [back] to the Father, for [e]the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does take place, you may believe and have faith [in Me]. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me]; 31 but so that the world may know [without any doubt] that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him]. Get up, let us go from here.

Footnotes

  1. John 14:6 The sixth of the memorable “I am” statements. See note 6:35.
  2. John 14:13 Acting as Jesus’ representative means that the person calling on His name is in a close relationship with Him and wants what He wants.
  3. John 14:16 Gr Paracletos, one called alongside to help.
  4. John 14:26 Gr Paracletos, one called alongside to help.
  5. John 14:28 The Father and the Son are equal—they share the same essence, but the Father was greater in His heavenly glory than the Son during the Son’s time of subordination as a man, cf 10:30; 17:5.