The Gospel is traditionally associated with John the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple, whose testimony presents Jesus' signs, words, death, resurrection, and teaching so readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
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John 14
The Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Father Revealed in the Son, and the Promise of the Spirit
Jesus comforts His troubled disciples by revealing Himself as the only way to the Father, the perfect revelation of the Father, the giver of Spirit-enabled life and peace, and the obedient Son who goes to the cross in love for the Father.
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Chapter Summary
Jesus comforts His troubled disciples by revealing Himself as the only way to the Father, the perfect revelation of the Father, the giver of Spirit-enabled life and peace, and the obedient Son who goes to the cross in love for the Father.
Overview
John 14 argues that Jesus' departure is not abandonment but the necessary path to the Father's house, the Father's presence, the Spirit's indwelling, and the disciples' future mission. The disciples are troubled because Jesus is leaving, but Jesus teaches that faith in Him is faith in God, because He uniquely reveals and mediates access to the Father. He is not merely one guide among many; He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Seeing Him is seeing the Father because of His mutual indwelling with the Father and because the Father's works are done in Him. Jesus' going to the Father will expand the mission of His people through greater works and prayer in His name. Love for Jesus is not sentiment detached from obedience; it is expressed in keeping His commands. The disciples will not be left as orphans because the Father will send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will teach, remind, dwell with, and dwell in them.
Jesus gives peace unlike the world's peace and goes to the cross not because the ruler of this world has power over Him, but because He loves the Father and obeys His command.
Context
John writes to believers and inquirers who must understand Jesus' departure not as abandonment but as the necessary movement through death, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and the sending of the Spirit.
The chapter takes place during Jesus' private farewell instruction to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. Judas has gone out into the night, Jesus has announced His departure, Peter has been warned of His denial, and the disciples are troubled.
Jesus comforts His troubled disciples by revealing Himself as the only way to the Father, the perfect revelation of the Father, the giver of Spirit-enabled life and peace, and the obedient Son who goes to the cross in love for the Father.
The Gospel is traditionally associated with John the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple, whose testimony presents Jesus' signs, words, death, resurrection, and teaching so readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
John writes to believers and inquirers who must understand Jesus' departure not as abandonment but as the necessary movement through death, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and the sending of the Spirit.
The chapter takes place during Jesus' private farewell instruction to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. Judas has gone out into the night, Jesus has announced His departure, Peter has been warned of His denial, and the disciples are troubled.
Social Pressure
- The disciples face confusion, grief, fear, and impending loss. Jesus speaks into their troubled hearts, preparing them for His death, resurrection, return to the Father, their future mission, opposition from the world, and the presence of the Spirit.
The language of a father's house, household rooms, teacher-disciple relationship, keeping commands, and covenant love would resonate in a Jewish setting. The promise of the Paraclete or Advocate carries legal, relational, teaching, and helping dimensions. The chapter is framed by farewell discourse patterns, where a leader prepares followers before departure.
John 14 interprets Jesus' departure as the way to the Father and the necessary foundation for the disciples' future life. Jesus reveals Himself as the only way to the Father, the visible revelation of the Father, the one through whom prayer is offered, and the giver of the Spirit. The chapter prepares for the cross, resurrection, ascension, Pentecost, and the Spirit-filled mission of the church.
Chapter Movement
Jesus comforts troubled disciples, reveals Himself as the only way to the Father, declares that seeing Him is seeing the Father, promises greater works and prayer in His name, promises the Spirit of truth, gives His peace, and frames His departure as loving obedience to the Father.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
John 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus' death and departure open the way to the Father. Sinners do not come to God by religious effort, moral sincerity, spiritual intuition, or any path apart from Christ. Jesus Himself is the way, the truth, and the life. He reveals the Father, prepares a place for His own, gives access in prayer, sends the Spirit, shares His resurrection life, and gives peace.
His departure through the cross is not abandonment but saving obedience. The ruler of this world has no claim on Him; Jesus goes because He loves the Father and obeys the Father's command.
Structural Flow
Jesus comforts troubled disciples by calling them to believe and by promising prepared fellowship with Him in the Father's house.
Jesus answers Thomas by revealing Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, the only access to the Father.
Jesus answers Philip by teaching that seeing Him is seeing the Father and that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father.
Jesus promises greater works and answered prayer in His name because He is going to the Father and will glorify the Father through the Son.
Jesus connects love for Him with obedience, promises the Spirit of truth, promises not to abandon His disciples, and promises Father-Son presence with those who love and obey Him.
Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind the disciples and gives them His peace as they face His departure.
Jesus faces the coming ruler of this world without guilt or bondage and goes forward in obedience so the world may know He loves the Father.
Chapter Outline
- 14:1-4: Jesus comforts His disciples by calling them to trust and promising that His departure prepares a place for them with Him.
- 14:5-7: Jesus reveals that access to the Father is exclusively through Him.
- 14:8-11: Jesus teaches that He fully reveals the Father because He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
- 14:12-14: Because Jesus is going to the Father, believers will carry forward His mission and pray in His name for the Father's glory.
- 14:15-17: Love for Christ is expressed in obedience, and the Father will give another Advocate, the Spirit of truth, to be with and in the disciples.
- 14:18-21: Jesus promises His continued presence, resurrection life, union with Him, and self-disclosure to those who love and obey Him.
- 14:22-24: Jesus explains that love-obedience marks those with whom the Father and Son make their home.
- 14:25-26: The Holy Spirit will teach the disciples and bring Jesus' words to their remembrance.
- 14:27-29: Jesus gives peace unlike the world's peace and calls the disciples to faith and joy as He goes to the Father.
- 14:30-31: The ruler of this world is coming, but He has no hold over Jesus, who proceeds in loving obedience to the Father.
Theological Argument
John 14 argues that Jesus' departure is not abandonment but the necessary path to the Father's house, the Father's presence, the Spirit's indwelling, and the disciples' future mission. The disciples are troubled because Jesus is leaving, but Jesus teaches that faith in Him is faith in God, because He uniquely reveals and mediates access to the Father. He is not merely one guide among many; He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Seeing Him is seeing the Father because of His mutual indwelling with the Father and because the Father's works are done in Him. Jesus' going to the Father will expand the mission of His people through greater works and prayer in His name. Love for Jesus is not sentiment detached from obedience; it is expressed in keeping His commands. The disciples will not be left as orphans because the Father will send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will teach, remind, dwell with, and dwell in them.
Jesus gives peace unlike the world's peace and goes to the cross not because the ruler of this world has power over Him, but because He loves the Father and obeys His command.
From troubled hearts to trust, from trust to the Father's house, from the Father's house to Jesus as the only way, from Jesus as way to Jesus as revelation of the Father, from revelation to mission and prayer, from mission to Spirit-indwelling, from departure to peace, and from satanic opposition to obedient love.
- 1.Jesus has just announced his departure and Peter's denial, so the disciples are troubled.
- 2.Jesus commands trust in God and trust in himself, placing faith in him alongside faith in God.
- 3.Jesus' departure prepares a place for his disciples in the Father's house.
- 4.The goal of Jesus' departure is personal communion: he will take them to be with him.
- 5.Thomas's confusion reveals that the disciples still do not understand the way of Jesus' departure.
- 6.Jesus answers not with directions but with himself: he is the way, the truth, and the life.
- 7.No one comes to the Father except through Jesus, making him the exclusive mediator of access to God.
- 8.To know Jesus is to know the Father, because the Son reveals the Father.
- 9.Philip's request to see the Father reveals a failure to grasp the fullness of revelation in Jesus.
- 10.Jesus insists that whoever has seen him has seen the Father.
- 11.Jesus' words and works are not self-originated; they are the Father's words and works in him.
- 12.The mutual indwelling of Father and Son grounds Jesus' revelation and authority.
- 13.Believers will do greater works because Jesus is going to the Father, meaning the post-resurrection mission will extend his works through his people by the Spirit.
- 14.Prayer in Jesus' name is not a formula for self-will but participation in his mission and concern for the Father's glory.
- 15.Love for Jesus is shown by obedience to his commands.
- 16.Jesus will ask the Father, and the Father will give another Advocate, showing Father-Son-Spirit coordination in the care of the disciples.
- 17.The Spirit is the Spirit of truth, received by disciples but rejected by the world.
- 18.The Spirit will be with and in the disciples, marking a new mode of divine presence after Jesus' departure.
- 19.Jesus will not leave his disciples as orphans; his departure will not end his presence.
- 20.Because Jesus lives, his disciples also will live, grounding their life in his resurrection life.
- 21.The disciples will know union: Jesus in the Father, they in Jesus, and Jesus in them.
- 22.Love-obedience becomes the sphere in which Jesus manifests himself to his people.
- 23.The Father and Son make their home with the one who loves and obeys Jesus' teaching.
- 24.The Holy Spirit will teach and remind the apostles of Jesus' words, grounding apostolic witness and faithful remembrance.
- 25.Jesus gives peace not as the world gives, but as peace rooted in his person, work, presence, and victory.
- 26.The disciples should rejoice that Jesus goes to the Father, because his return to the Father is not loss but completion of mission.
- 27.The ruler of this world is coming, but he has no claim on Jesus because Jesus is sinless and sovereign.
- 28.Jesus goes to the cross so the world may know that he loves the Father and does exactly what the Father commanded.
Theological Focus
- Troubled hearts and faith
- Jesus' departure to the Father
- The Father's house
- Prepared place and future communion
- Jesus as the way
- Jesus as the truth
- Jesus as the life
- Exclusive access to the Father through Jesus
- Seeing Jesus as seeing the Father
- Father-Son mutual indwelling
- Jesus' words and works as the Father's
- Greater works because Jesus goes to the Father
- Prayer in Jesus' name
- The Father's glory in the Son
- Love expressed through obedience
- Another Advocate
- The Spirit of truth
- Spirit with and in believers
- Not left as orphans
- Resurrection life in Christ
- Union with Christ
- Father and Son dwelling with believers
- Holy Spirit teaching and reminding
- Peace of Christ
- The Father greater than the incarnate sent Son
- Foretelling to strengthen faith
- Ruler of this world
- Christ's sinlessness and obedience
- Jesus' love for the Father
- Faith in Christ
- Eschatological Hope
- Christ as the Only Way
- Christ as Truth
- Christ as Life
- Revelation of the Father
- Father-Son Mutual Indwelling
- Prayer in Jesus' Name
- Love and Obedience
- Holy Spirit as Advocate
- Spirit of Truth
- Indwelling Presence
- Spirit-Taught Apostolic Remembrance
- Sinlessness of Christ
- Obedience of Christ
Covenant Significance
John 14 reveals the new covenant blessings secured through Jesus' departure: access to the Father through the Son, prepared communion with God, Spirit indwelling, obedience from love, divine presence with believers, and peace that does not depend on worldly conditions. Jesus fulfills the temple-presence trajectory by making Himself the way to the Father and promising that the Father and Son will make their home with those who love Him.
The Spirit of truth will dwell with and in the disciples, fulfilling the promise of God's presence among His people in a deeper, new-covenant mode.
Old Testament Connections
- Jesus' Father's house language points to secure dwelling with God through the Son.
- Jesus Himself is the way into covenant access and communion with the Father.
- Jesus reveals the Father fully, surpassing mediated or partial revelation.
- Prayer in Jesus' name marks the new covenant access of believers through the Son.
- Love and obedience are joined, reflecting covenant loyalty transformed by Christ's love.
- The Spirit of truth will be with and in the disciples, fulfilling the promise of divine presence.
- The Father and Son making their home with believers signals a temple-like indwelling presence.
- The Spirit's teaching and reminding support apostolic witness and the faithful transmission of Jesus' words.
- Christ's peace becomes the covenant peace of His people amid His physical departure.
- Jesus' obedience to the Father brings the redemptive mission to completion.
- Exodus 25:8 - God dwelling among His people
- Exodus 33:14 - the Lord's presence giving rest
- Deuteronomy 6:4-6 - covenant love expressed in obedience
- Psalm 23:6 - dwelling in the house of the Lord
- Psalm 27:4 - desire to dwell in the house of the Lord
- Psalm 43:3 - God's light and truth leading to His holy dwelling
- Isaiah 26:3 - perfect peace for the steadfast mind that trusts God
- Isaiah 57:19 - peace to those far and near
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 - the Spirit within God's people causing obedience
- Ezekiel 37:26-28 - God's dwelling place among His people
- Joel 2:28-29 - the outpouring of the Spirit
- Zechariah 2:10-11 - the Lord dwelling among His people
Canonical Connections
Jesus' Father's house and promised home-making presence fulfill Scripture's longing for dwelling with God.
Jesus fulfills and embodies the biblical themes of God's way, God's truth, and God's life.
Jesus' claim that seeing Him is seeing the Father develops the biblical theme of God's self-revelation and John's prologue.
The promise of the Spirit of truth fulfills new covenant promises of God's Spirit within His people.
Jesus fulfills covenant love-obedience by rooting obedience in love for Him and in His own love for His disciples.
Jesus gives peace that fulfills prophetic peace and surpasses worldly peace.
Jesus' statement about the ruler of this world connects to the broader biblical theme of satanic opposition defeated through Christ.
Jesus' obedience to the Father fulfills the righteous servant and obedient Son pattern.
Cross References
Gospel Clarity
John 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus' death and departure open the way to the Father. Sinners do not come to God by religious effort, moral sincerity, spiritual intuition, or any path apart from Christ. Jesus Himself is the way, the truth, and the life. He reveals the Father, prepares a place for His own, gives access in prayer, sends the Spirit, shares His resurrection life, and gives peace.
His departure through the cross is not abandonment but saving obedience. The ruler of this world has no claim on Him; Jesus goes because He loves the Father and obeys the Father's command.
Gospel Guardrails
- Jesus comforts troubled hearts by calling for faith in God and in Himself.
- Jesus goes to prepare a place for His own and will bring them to Himself.
- Jesus Himself is the way to the Father.
- Jesus Himself is the truth, the definitive revelation of God.
- Jesus Himself is the life, the source of life for believers.
- No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.
- To see Jesus is to see the Father.
- The Father's works are done in Jesus.
- Because Jesus goes to the Father, His mission continues through His people.
- Prayer in Jesus' name serves the Father's glory in the Son.
- Love for Jesus is expressed through obedience.
- The Father gives another Advocate, the Spirit of truth.
- The Spirit will be with and in Jesus' disciples.
- Jesus does not leave His people as orphans.
- Because Jesus lives, His people also live.
- The Father and Son make their home with those who love and obey Jesus.
- The Spirit teaches and reminds Jesus' disciples of His words.
- Jesus gives peace unlike the world gives.
- The ruler of this world has no hold over Jesus.
- Jesus goes to the cross in obedient love for the Father.
- Do not preach comfort apart from Christ's exclusive person and work.
- Do not reduce the Father's house to sentimental afterlife imagery · the goal is being with Jesus.
- Do not soften Jesus' exclusivity in John 14:6.
- Do not seek the Father apart from the Son · seeing Jesus is seeing the Father.
- Do not use prayer in Jesus' name as a tool for selfish desire · it is ordered to the Father's glory.
- Do not define love for Jesus by emotion alone · Jesus defines it by keeping His commands.
- Do not treat the Spirit as vague inspiration · He is the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth.
- Do not live as an orphan when Jesus promises His presence through the Spirit.
- Do not confuse Jesus' peace with worldly stability.
- Do not interpret the cross as Satan's triumph · the ruler of this world has no hold over Jesus.
Primary Emphasis
John 14 is one of the Gospel's most concentrated chapters for Christology. Jesus identifies Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, and declares exclusive access to the Father through Himself. He teaches that seeing Him is seeing the Father, because He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. His words and works reveal the Father. He promises to answer prayer in His name, to send the Spirit through His request to the Father, to come to His disciples, to share His life with them, and to give peace unlike the world's peace.
He goes to the cross not as a victim of the ruler of this world but as the obedient Son who loves the Father.
Chapter Contribution
John 14 argues that Jesus' departure is not abandonment but the necessary path to the Father's house, the Father's presence, the Spirit's indwelling, and the disciples' future mission. The disciples are troubled because Jesus is leaving, but Jesus teaches that faith in Him is faith in God, because He uniquely reveals and mediates access to the Father. He is not merely one guide among many; He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Seeing Him is seeing the Father because of His mutual indwelling with the Father and because the Father's works are done in Him. Jesus' going to the Father will expand the mission of His people through greater works and prayer in His name. Love for Jesus is not sentiment detached from obedience; it is expressed in keeping His commands. The disciples will not be left as orphans because the Father will send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will teach, remind, dwell with, and dwell in them.
Jesus gives peace unlike the world's peace and goes to the cross not because the ruler of this world has power over Him, but because He loves the Father and obeys His command.
Doctrines in This Chapter
To see the Son is to see the Father.
Christ prepares an eternal dwelling for believers.
No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.
The Spirit teaches and reminds believers of Christ’s words.
Father, Son, and Spirit dwell with believers.
The ruler of this world has no claim on Christ.
Doctrinal Weight
Jesus commands the disciples to believe in God and also in Him.
Jesus promises prepared dwelling with Him in the Father's house.
Jesus declares that no one comes to the Father except through Him.
Jesus is the definitive revelation of God and reality.
Jesus is the source of life for His people.
Whoever has seen Jesus has seen the Father.
Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
Jesus promises to do what is asked in His name so the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Love for Jesus is shown by keeping His commands and teaching.
The Father gives another Advocate to be with the disciples forever.
The Spirit is the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot accept but believers know.
The Spirit will be with and in the disciples, and the Father and Son will make their home with those who love Jesus.
Jesus teaches that believers will know He is in the Father, they are in Him, and He is in them.
The Holy Spirit will teach the disciples and remind them of Jesus' words.
Jesus gives peace unlike the world gives.
The ruler of this world has no hold over Jesus.
Jesus does exactly what the Father commands because He loves the Father.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- John 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus' death and departure open the way to the Father. Sinners do not come to God by religious effort, moral sincerity, spiritual intuition, or any path apart from Christ. Jesus Himself is the way, the truth, and the life. He reveals the Father, prepares a place for His own, gives access in prayer, sends the Spirit, shares His resurrection life, and gives peace. His departure through the cross is not abandonment but saving obedience. The ruler of this world has no claim on Him; Jesus goes because He loves the Father and obeys the Father's command.
Key Greek Terms
Form in passage Present · Passive · Imperative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense trouble, disturb, agitate
Definition Jesus commands the disciples not to let their hearts be troubled.
References John 14:1, 14:27
Lexicon trouble, disturb, agitate
Why it matters The term names the disciples' fear and grief and frames Jesus' comfort.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense heart, inner person, center of thought and desire
Definition Jesus speaks to the disciples' troubled hearts.
References John 14:1, 14:27
Lexicon heart, inner person, center of thought and desire
Why it matters Jesus' comfort addresses not merely information but the deep inner life of His followers.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense believe, trust, entrust oneself
Definition Jesus calls the disciples to believe in God and in him.
References John 14:1, 14:10-12, 14:29
Lexicon believe, trust, entrust oneself
Why it matters Faith in Jesus is the antidote to troubled hearts and the way to receive His revelation and promises.
Sense Father
Definition Jesus speaks repeatedly of the Father, his house, his works, his sending, his command, and his glory.
References John 14:2, 14:6-13, 14:16, 14:20-31
Lexicon Father
Why it matters The chapter centers on access to, revelation of, and communion with the Father through the Son.
Sense house, household, dwelling
Definition Jesus speaks of his Father's house.
References John 14:2
Lexicon house, household, dwelling
Why it matters The Father's house symbolizes secure dwelling and communion with God through Jesus.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense dwelling places, rooms, abiding places
Definition Jesus says there are many rooms in his Father's house.
References John 14:2, 14:23
Lexicon dwelling places, rooms, abiding places
Why it matters The term emphasizes secure prepared dwelling with God and connects with the Father and Son making their home with believers in 14:23.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense prepare, make ready
Definition Jesus goes to prepare a place for his disciples.
References John 14:2-3
Lexicon prepare, make ready
Why it matters Jesus' departure is purposeful, securing future communion for His people.
Sense place, location, position
Definition Jesus prepares a place for his own and will take them to be with him.
References John 14:2-3
Lexicon place, location, position
Why it matters The place is not merely location but secure belonging with Christ.
Individual words πάλιν εἶπεν palin eipen · πότε ἔρχεται ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ pote erchetai hē basileia tou theou
Form in passage Present · Middle · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense come again, come back
Definition Jesus promises to come back and take his disciples to himself.
References John 14:3
Lexicon come again, come back
Why it matters Jesus' departure includes the promise of reunion and final communion.
Sense way, road, path, access
Definition Jesus says he is the way.
References John 14:4-6
Lexicon way, road, path, access
Why it matters Jesus is not merely a guide to God; He is the exclusive access to the Father.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense truth, divine reality, trustworthy revelation
Definition Jesus says he is the truth.
References John 14:6, 14:17
Lexicon truth, divine reality, trustworthy revelation
Why it matters Jesus is the definitive revelation of God and reality, not one religious opinion among many.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense life, eternal life, divine life
Definition Jesus says he is the life and later says that because he lives, the disciples also will live.
References John 14:6, 14:19
Lexicon life, eternal life, divine life
Why it matters Life is found in Jesus' person and shared with believers through His resurrection life.
Individual words πότε ἔρχεται ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ pote erchetai hē basileia tou theou · ἐβέβλητο πρὸς τὸν πυλῶνα αὐτοῦ ebeblēto pros ton pylōna autou
Sense come to, approach, enter relationship with
Definition No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.
References John 14:6
Lexicon come to, approach, enter relationship with
Why it matters The term expresses access to the Father mediated exclusively by the Son.
Sense know, recognize, understand relationally
Definition Knowing Jesus means knowing the Father; the disciples know the Spirit.
References John 14:4-9, 14:17, 14:20
Lexicon know, recognize, understand relationally
Why it matters True knowledge of God is relational and Christ-mediated.
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense see, perceive, behold
Definition Jesus says whoever has seen him has seen the Father.
References John 14:7-9, 14:17, 14:19
Lexicon see, perceive, behold
Why it matters The term anchors the visible revelation of the Father in the incarnate Son.
Sense show, make known, reveal
Definition Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father.
References John 14:8-9
Lexicon show, make known, reveal
Why it matters Jesus' response teaches that the Father has already been revealed in Him.
Sense in, within, in union with
Definition Jesus speaks of being in the Father, the Father in him, believers in him, and he in believers.
References John 14:10-11, 14:20
Lexicon in, within, in union with
Why it matters The preposition carries the chapter's theology of Father-Son mutual indwelling and believer union with Christ.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense works, deeds, acts
Definition The Father's works are done in Jesus, and believers will do Jesus' works and greater works.
References John 14:10-12
Lexicon works, deeds, acts
Why it matters Works testify to Jesus' unity with the Father and continue through the disciples after His departure.
Sense greater, larger, more extensive
Definition Jesus says believers will do greater works because he is going to the Father.
References John 14:12
Lexicon greater, larger, more extensive
Why it matters The term points to the expanded post-resurrection mission through Jesus' people by the Spirit.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense ask, request, petition
Definition Jesus promises to do what is asked in his name.
References John 14:13-14, 14:16
Lexicon ask, request, petition
Why it matters The term grounds prayer in Jesus' name and mission for the Father's glory.
Sense name, authority, revealed identity
Definition Jesus promises to answer prayer in his name, and the Spirit is sent in his name.
References John 14:13-14, 14:26
Lexicon name, authority, revealed identity
Why it matters The name represents Jesus' authority, person, mission, and relationship to the Father.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense glorify, reveal honor and excellence
Definition Jesus answers prayer so the Father may be glorified in the Son.
References John 14:13
Lexicon glorify, reveal honor and excellence
Why it matters Prayer, mission, and Jesus' ongoing work aim at the Father's glory in the Son.
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense love, covenantal devotion, self-giving affection
Definition Jesus says love for him is shown by keeping his commands.
References John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23-24, 14:28, 14:31
Lexicon love, covenantal devotion, self-giving affection
Why it matters Love for Christ is inseparable from obedience to Christ.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense commands, commandments, authoritative instructions
Definition Those who love Jesus keep his commands, and Jesus obeys the Father's command.
References John 14:15, 14:21, 14:31
Lexicon commands, commandments, authoritative instructions
Why it matters The term connects love, obedience, discipleship, and Jesus' own obedience to the Father.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense another of the same kind, another
Definition Jesus says the Father will give another Advocate.
References John 14:16
Lexicon another of the same kind, another
Why it matters The term implies that the Spirit continues Jesus' presence and care in another mode.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Advocate, Helper, Counselor, one called alongside
Definition The Father will give another Advocate to be with the disciples forever.
References John 14:16, 14:26
Lexicon Advocate, Helper, Counselor, one called alongside
Why it matters The term identifies the Spirit's personal ministry of help, presence, teaching, witness, and advocacy.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense forever, for the age
Definition The Advocate will be with the disciples forever.
References John 14:16
Lexicon forever, for the age
Why it matters The Spirit's presence is abiding and enduring, not temporary.
Individual words ἀφῆκεν τὸ πνεῦμα aphēken to pneuma · ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας apesterēmenōn tēs alētheias
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Spirit of truth
Definition Jesus identifies the Advocate as the Spirit of truth.
References John 14:17
Lexicon Spirit of truth
Why it matters The Spirit continues the truth-revealing ministry of Jesus and is received by disciples, not by the unbelieving world.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense world, unbelieving human order opposed to God
Definition The world cannot accept the Spirit of truth and will no longer see Jesus.
References John 14:17, 14:19, 14:22, 14:27, 14:30-31
Lexicon world, unbelieving human order opposed to God
Why it matters The term marks the distinction between unbelieving world and Jesus' disciples.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense receive, accept, take
Definition The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth.
References John 14:17
Lexicon receive, accept, take
Why it matters Reception of the Spirit distinguishes Jesus' people from the unbelieving world.
Sense with, beside, alongside
Definition The Spirit lives with the disciples.
References John 14:17
Lexicon with, beside, alongside
Why it matters The term emphasizes the Spirit's accompanying presence.
Individual words τὸ φῶς τὸ ἐν σοὶ to phōs to en soi · αὐτῶν καὶ ὑμῶν ὁ κύριός autōn kai hymōn ho kyrios
Sense in you, indwelling
Definition The Spirit will be in the disciples.
References John 14:17
Lexicon in you, indwelling
Why it matters The phrase teaches Spirit indwelling as the new mode of divine presence with Jesus' people.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense orphans, abandoned ones
Definition Jesus promises not to leave his disciples as orphans.
References John 14:18
Lexicon orphans, abandoned ones
Why it matters The term expresses the disciples' fear of abandonment and Jesus' promise of continuing presence.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense live, be alive
Definition Jesus says because he lives, the disciples also will live.
References John 14:19
Lexicon live, be alive
Why it matters The disciples' life is grounded in Jesus' resurrection life.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense manifest, show, reveal
Definition Jesus says he will show himself to the one who loves him.
References John 14:21-22
Lexicon manifest, show, reveal
Why it matters The term describes Jesus' self-disclosure to obedient lovers of Him.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense keep, guard, observe, obey
Definition Those who love Jesus keep his commands and teaching.
References John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23-24
Lexicon keep, guard, observe, obey
Why it matters The verb defines obedient love as guarding and practicing Jesus' word.
Sense word, teaching, message
Definition The one who loves Jesus obeys his teaching, and his word belongs to the Father who sent him.
References John 14:23-24
Lexicon word, teaching, message
Why it matters Jesus' teaching carries the authority of the Father and becomes the test of love.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense make a dwelling, make a home
Definition The Father and Son will make their home with the one who loves and obeys Jesus.
References John 14:23
Lexicon make a dwelling, make a home
Why it matters The phrase reveals intimate divine presence with believers.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense send, commission
Definition Jesus says his word belongs to the Father who sent him, and the Father will send the Spirit in Jesus' name.
References John 14:24, 14:26
Lexicon send, commission
Why it matters Sending language ties Jesus' words and the Spirit's coming to the Father's mission.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense Holy Spirit
Definition The Advocate is identified as the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in Jesus' name.
References John 14:26
Lexicon Holy Spirit
Why it matters The term identifies the divine person who teaches, reminds, and dwells with Jesus' people.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense teach, instruct
Definition The Holy Spirit will teach the disciples all things.
References John 14:26
Lexicon teach, instruct
Why it matters The Spirit's teaching ministry ensures that Jesus' words are rightly understood and transmitted.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense remind, bring to remembrance
Definition The Spirit will remind the disciples of everything Jesus has said.
References John 14:26
Lexicon remind, bring to remembrance
Why it matters The term grounds apostolic remembrance and the faithful preservation of Jesus' teaching.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense peace, wholeness, well-being, reconciliation
Definition Jesus leaves and gives his peace to the disciples.
References John 14:27
Lexicon peace, wholeness, well-being, reconciliation
Why it matters Christ's peace sustains disciples amid departure, fear, and opposition.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense be cowardly, fearful, timid
Definition Jesus tells the disciples not to be afraid.
References John 14:27
Lexicon be cowardly, fearful, timid
Why it matters The command confronts fear with Christ's peace and promises.
Individual words τινος τῶν ἀρχόντων τῶν Φαρισαίων tinos tōn archontōn tōn Pharisaiōn · ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ho archōn tou kosmou toutou
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense ruler of this world
Definition Jesus says the ruler of this world is coming.
References John 14:30
Lexicon ruler of this world
Why it matters The phrase identifies satanic opposition approaching through the passion events.
Sense has nothing in me, no claim, no hold
Definition Jesus says the ruler of this world has no hold over him.
References John 14:30
Lexicon has nothing in me, no claim, no hold
Why it matters The phrase reveals Jesus' sinlessness and freedom from Satan's claim.
Form in passage Aorist · Middle · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense command, order, charge
Definition Jesus does exactly what the Father commanded him.
References John 14:31
Lexicon command, order, charge
Why it matters The term reveals Jesus' obedient love as He goes to the cross.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Imperative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Definition Troubled; the disciples' agitated hearts addressed by Jesus' comfort.
References John 14:1, 14:27
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Believe or trust; the response Jesus commands amid trouble.
References John 14:1, 14:10-12, 14:29
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Definition Dwelling place or room; prepared dwelling with God and divine home-making with believers.
References John 14:2, 14:23
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Definition Prepare; Jesus prepares a place for his disciples.
References John 14:2-3
Definition Way; Jesus as the only access to the Father.
References John 14:4-6
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Truth; Jesus as definitive revelation and the Spirit as Spirit of truth.
References John 14:6, 14:17
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Life; Jesus as life and source of believers' life.
References John 14:6, 14:19
Definition Father; the one revealed by and accessed through the Son.
References John 14:2, 14:6-13, 14:16, 14:20-31
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition See; seeing Jesus is seeing the Father.
References John 14:7-9, 14:17, 14:19
Definition In; mutual indwelling of Father and Son and union with believers.
References John 14:10-11, 14:20
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Definition Works; Father's works in Jesus and greater works through believers.
References John 14:10-12
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Ask; prayer in Jesus' name and Jesus asking the Father for the Advocate.
References John 14:13-14, 14:16
Definition Name; Jesus' authority and mission in prayer and the sending of the Spirit.
References John 14:13-14, 14:26
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Love; love for Jesus and Jesus' love for the Father expressed in obedience.
References John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23-24, 14:28, 14:31
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Definition Command; Jesus' commands and the Father's command obeyed by Jesus.
References John 14:15, 14:21, 14:31
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Definition Advocate or Helper; the Holy Spirit given by the Father in Jesus' name.
References John 14:16, 14:26
Individual words ἀφῆκεν τὸ πνεῦμα aphēken to pneuma · ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας apesterēmenōn tēs alētheias
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Spirit of truth; the Spirit received by disciples but not accepted by the world.
References John 14:17
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Definition Orphans; Jesus will not abandon his disciples.
References John 14:18
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Keep or obey; love for Jesus expressed through keeping his word.
References John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23-24
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Definition Holy Spirit; the Advocate sent by the Father in Jesus' name.
References John 14:26
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Definition Teach; the Spirit teaches the disciples all things.
References John 14:26
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Definition Remind; the Spirit brings Jesus' words to remembrance.
References John 14:26
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Peace; Jesus' own peace given to troubled disciples.
References John 14:27
Individual words τινος τῶν ἀρχόντων τῶν Φαρισαίων tinos tōn archontōn tōn Pharisaiōn · ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ho archōn tou kosmou toutou
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Definition Ruler of this world; Satanic opposition that has no hold over Jesus.
References John 14:30
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (44)
grounds / explanation 1strong contrast / correction 2purpose clause 5conditional clause 9content marker or causal 13comparative / scriptural grounding 2continuation or mild contrast 7negative additive 1additive / emphatic 4
| v.2 | εἰlestconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.3 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἐὰνifconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.4 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.6 | εἰonlyconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.7 | εἰIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.10 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.δὲbutcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.11 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.εἰlestconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.12 | ὅτιbecausecontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.13 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἵναso thatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.14 | ἐάνIfconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...' |
| v.15 | ἘὰνIfconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...' |
| v.16 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.17 | ὅτιbecausecontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.οὐδὲnornegative additiveοὐδέ in a list builds rhetorical force — each addition strengthens the overall negation.δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιforcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.19 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιbecausecontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.20 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.21 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.22 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.23 | ἐάνIfconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...' |
| v.24 | ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.26 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.27 | καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.28 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.εἰIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.ὅτιbecausecontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.29 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.30 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.31 | ἀλλ᾽butstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead?ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (121 main verbs)
completed 8ongoing 46prospective 22resultant 10imperative 8subjunctive 11background 1infinitive 5participle 10
| v.1 | ταρασσέσθωtarássōtroubledpresent passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationπιστεύετεpisteúōbelievepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπιστεύετεpisteúōbelievepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.2 | εἶπονépōtoldaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπορεύομαιporeúomaigopresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἑτοιμάσαιhetoimázōprepareaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.3 | πορευθῶporeúomaigoaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἑτοιμάσωhetoimázōprepareaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἔρχομαιérchomaicomepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπαραλήμψομαιparalambánōtakefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.4 | ὑπάγωhypágōgoingpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthοἴδατεeídōknowperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.5 | λέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthοἴδαμενeídōknowperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultὑπάγειςhypágōgoingpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδυνάμεθαdýnamaicanpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthεἰδέναιeídōknowperfect active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.6 | λέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἔρχεταιérchomaicomespresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.7 | ἐγνώκειτέginṓskōyou have knownpluperfect active indicativeresultantPluperfect — action completed before another past actionᾔδειτεeídōyou will know;pluperfect active indicativeresultantPluperfect — action completed before another past actionγινώσκετεginṓskōknowpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἑωράκατεhoráōseenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.8 | Λέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδεῖξονdeiknýōshowaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀρκεῖenoughpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.9 | λέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἔγνωκάςginṓskōknowperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultἑωρακὼςhoráōseenperfect active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἑώρακενhoráōseenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultλέγειςlégōsaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthΔεῖξονdeiknýōshowaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.10 | πιστεύειςpisteúōbelievepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthλέγωlégōsaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthλαλῶlaléōspeakpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthμένωνménōdwellspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionποιεῖpoiéōdoespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.11 | πιστεύετέpisteúōbelievepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationπιστεύετεpisteúōbelievepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.12 | λέγωlégōsaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπιστεύωνpisteúōbelievespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionποιῶpoiéōdopresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthποιήσειpoiéōdofuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionποιήσειpoiéōdofuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionπορεύομαιporeúomaigoingpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.13 | αἰτήσητεaskaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentποιήσωpoiéōdofuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionδοξασθῇdoxázōglorifiedaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.14 | αἰτήσητέaskaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentποιήσωpoiéōdofuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.15 | ἀγαπᾶτέlovepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentτηρήσετεtēréōkeepfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.16 | ἐρωτήσωerōtáōaskfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionδώσειdídōmigivefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.17 | δύναταιdýnamaiablepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthλαβεῖνlambánōreceiveaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbθεωρεῖtheōréōseespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthγινώσκειginṓskōknowspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthγινώσκετεginṓskōknowpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthμένειménōabidespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.18 | ἀφήσωleavefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἔρχομαιérchomaicomepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.19 | θεωρεῖtheōréōseepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthθεωρεῖτέtheōréōseepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthζῶzáōlivepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthζήσετεzáōlivefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.20 | γνώσεσθεginṓskōknowfuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.21 | ἔχωνéchōhaspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionτηρῶνtēréōkeepspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀγαπῶνlovespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀγαπῶνlovespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀγαπηθήσεταιlovedfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἀγαπήσωlovefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐμφανίσωemphanízōrevealfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.22 | λέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthγέγονενgínomaiisperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultμέλλειςméllōwillpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐμφανίζεινemphanízōrevealpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.23 | ἀπεκρίθηansweredaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionεἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀγαπᾷlovespresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentτηρήσειtēréōkeepfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἀγαπήσειlovefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐλευσόμεθαérchomaicomefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionποιησόμεθαpoiéōmakefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.24 | ἀγαπῶνlovepresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionτηρεῖtēréōkeeppresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀκούετεhearpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπέμψαντόςpémpōsentaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.25 | λελάληκαlaléōspokenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultμένωνménōstillpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.26 | πέμψειpémpōsendfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionδιδάξειdidáskōteachfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionὑπομνήσειhypomimnḗskōremindfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionεἶπονépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.27 | ἀφίημιleavepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδίδωμιdídōmigivepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδίδωσινdídōmigivespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδίδωμιdídōmigivepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthταρασσέσθωtarássōtroubledpresent passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationδειλιάτωdeiliáōafraidpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.28 | ἠκούσατεheardaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionεἶπονépōsayaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionὙπάγωhypágōgoing awaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἔρχομαιérchomaicomingpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἠγαπᾶτέlovedimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἐχάρητεchaírōrejoiceaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπορεύομαιporeúomaigoingpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.29 | εἴρηκαeréōtoldperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultγενέσθαιgínomaihappensaorist middle infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbγένηταιgínomaihappenaorist middle subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentπιστεύσητεpisteúōbelieveaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.30 | λαλήσωlaléōtalkfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἔρχεταιérchomaicomingpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἔχειéchōhaspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.31 | γνῷginṓskōknowaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀγαπῶlovepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐνετείλατοentéllomaicommandedaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionποιῶpoiéōdopresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἘγείρεσθεegeírōget uppresent passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἄγωμενgopresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
The reader must see Jesus as the exclusive way to the Father, the visible revelation of the Father, the giver of the Spirit, and the obedient Son whose departure secures communion, mission, peace, and life for His people.
The chapter presses believers away from fear, spiritual vagueness, self-directed prayer, sentimental love without obedience, orphan-hearted living, and worldly peace, and toward trust, Christ-centered access to God, Spirit dependence, obedient love, and peace in Christ.
Trusting, obedient, Spirit-indwelt disciples who come to the Father through Christ, know the Father in Christ, pray in Christ's name, keep Christ's commands, and receive Christ's peace amid trouble.
Practice Response
- Read John 14 and mark every reference to Father, believe, know, see, love, command, Spirit, peace, and world.
- Use John 14:1-3 to comfort troubled hearts with the promise of being with Christ.
- Use John 14:6 to teach the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ as the way to the Father.
- Use John 14:8-11 to teach that Jesus is the definitive revelation of the Father.
- Use John 14:12-14 to align prayer and mission with Jesus' name and the Father's glory.
- Use John 14:15, 21, and 23-24 to define love for Jesus by obedience.
- Use John 14:16-17 and 26 to teach the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
- Use John 14:18-20 to counsel believers who feel abandoned or orphaned.
- Use John 14:27 to offer peace rooted in Christ, not circumstances.
- Use John 14:30-31 to show that Jesus goes to the cross in victorious obedience, not helpless defeat.
Warnings and Misreadings
- John 14 includes tender comfort, but it also carries serious warnings. There is no access to the Father except through Jesus. Love for Jesus cannot be separated from obedience to His commands. The world cannot accept the Spirit of truth because it neither sees nor knows Him. Those who do not love Jesus do not obey His teaching. Worldly peace cannot sustain troubled hearts. The ruler of this world is real, though He has no hold over Jesus. The disciples must not interpret Jesus' departure through fear but through faith.
- The comfort of the Father's house centers on being with Jesus, who prepares the place and brings His own to Himself.
- Jesus does not only show the way · He is the way. Access to the Father is through His person and work.
- Jesus states exclusive access to the Father through Himself.
- Jesus corrects Philip because He has failed to recognize that the Father is revealed in the Son.
- The greater works are tied to Jesus going to the Father and the post-resurrection mission empowered by the Spirit, extending Jesus' saving work through His disciples.
- Prayer in Jesus' name is aligned with His person, mission, will, and the Father's glory in the Son.
- Jesus repeatedly states that love for Him is shown in keeping His commands and teaching.
- The Advocate teaches, is known, dwells with and in believers, and is identified as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth.
- In context, Jesus speaks as the incarnate Son going to the Father in the economy of redemption. The Gospel has already affirmed the Son's divine identity, mutual indwelling with the Father, and rightful reception of faith.
- Jesus gives peace in the context of departure, opposition, and the ruler of this world coming. His peace is not circumstantial ease.
- Jesus explicitly says the ruler of this world has no hold over Him. Jesus goes to the cross in obedience to the Father.
Discipleship Questions
- What is troubling my heart, and am I bringing that trouble under trust in Christ?
- Is my hope centered on being with Jesus, or only on escaping pain?
- Do I believe Jesus is the way, or do I treat Him as one spiritual guide among others?
- Do I know the Father as He is revealed in the Son?
- Am I trying to know God apart from Jesus' words and works?
- Do my prayers in Jesus' name seek the Father's glory or my own comfort first?
- Where do I claim to love Jesus while resisting His commands?
- Am I living as though the Spirit is with me and in me?
- Do I act like an orphan even though Jesus promised not to leave His own as orphans?
- What would it mean today to live from Jesus' life: 'Because I live, You also will live'?
- Do I welcome the Father and Son's home-making presence through obedient love?
- Am I relying on the Spirit to teach and remind me of Jesus' words?
- Am I seeking worldly peace or receiving Christ's peace?
- Do I rejoice in Jesus' return to the Father, or only grieve what I cannot see?
- Where do I need courage because the ruler of this world has no claim on Christ?
Pastoral Applications
- John 14 must be preached as comfort rooted in Christology. Jesus comforts troubled hearts not with sentiment but with Himself: He is the way, truth, life, revealer of the Father, giver of the Spirit, and giver of peace.
- John 14:1-3 is fitting for funerals when preached carefully. The comfort is not merely 'a better place' but being brought by Christ to be with Christ in the Father's house.
- John 14:6 gives evangelistic clarity. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. This should be spoken with humility, courage, and compassion.
- Jesus' words to Philip must shape the church's doctrine of revelation: the Father is known in the Son. Any claimed knowledge of God that bypasses Jesus is false.
- Prayer in Jesus' name is not magical wording. It is prayer under Jesus' authority, aligned to His mission, seeking the Father's glory in the Son.
- Love for Jesus must be trained into obedience. A church that sings love for Christ while ignoring His commands has misunderstood love.
- The promise of the Spirit grounds confidence that Jesus' words will be remembered, taught, understood, and preserved for the church's life and witness.
- Jesus' peace speaks directly to fear, anxiety, grief, and uncertainty. His peace is not circumstantial control but confidence in His person, presence, and victory.
- The ruler of this world is real, but He has no hold over Jesus. Believers face spiritual opposition from within Christ's victory, not outside it.
- John 14 should shape Trinitarian worship: the Son reveals the Father, the Father sends the Spirit in Jesus' name, and the Spirit teaches the words of the Son.
Pastoral Trajectories
Jesus does not deny the disciples' trouble but commands them to entrust their hearts to God and to Him.
Jesus' going away is not abandonment but preparation for His people to be with Him.
The disciples do not need a map apart from Jesus; Jesus Himself is the way to the Father.
Jesus corrects the desire to see the Father apart from recognizing the Father in the Son.
Jesus' going to the Father opens the way for greater works through His people.
Prayer in Jesus' name serves the Father's glory in the Son.
Jesus repeatedly connects love for Him with keeping His commands and teaching.
Jesus' departure is answered by the gift of another Advocate who will be with and in the disciples.
The disciples are not abandoned; they will live because Jesus lives and will know union with Him.
Jesus gives peace unlike the world's peace and forbids fear from ruling the heart.
The ruler of this world comes, but Jesus goes forward in sinless obedience and love for the Father.
Motifs in This Chapter
Follow faith, believing response, trust, and persevering allegiance across Scripture.
Trace servant identity, obedient mission, and suffering service across Scripture.
Trace the Spirit's presence, empowerment, renewal, and mission-bearing work across Scripture.
Study temple presence, worship, corruption, judgment, and renewal across Scripture.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
Jesus comforts troubled disciples, reveals Himself as the only way to the Father, declares that seeing Him is seeing the Father, promises greater works and prayer in His name, promises the Spirit of truth, gives His peace, and frames His departure as loving obedience to the Father.
John 14 reveals the new covenant blessings secured through Jesus' departure: access to the Father through the Son, prepared communion with God, Spirit indwelling, obedience from love, divine presence with believers, and peace that does not depend on worldly conditions. Jesus fulfills the temple-presence trajectory by making Himself the way to the Father and promising that the Father and Son will make their home with those who love Him.
The Spirit of truth will dwell with and in the disciples, fulfilling the promise of God's presence among His people in a deeper, new-covenant mode.
John 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus' death and departure open the way to the Father. Sinners do not come to God by religious effort, moral sincerity, spiritual intuition, or any path apart from Christ. Jesus Himself is the way, the truth, and the life. He reveals the Father, prepares a place for His own, gives access in prayer, sends the Spirit, shares His resurrection life, and gives peace.
His departure through the cross is not abandonment but saving obedience. The ruler of this world has no claim on Him; Jesus goes because He loves the Father and obeys the Father's command.
Trusting, obedient, Spirit-indwelt disciples who come to the Father through Christ, know the Father in Christ, pray in Christ's name, keep Christ's commands, and receive Christ's peace amid trouble.
Focus Points
- Troubled hearts and faith
- Jesus' departure to the Father
- The Father's house
- Prepared place and future communion
- Jesus as the way
- Jesus as the truth
- Jesus as the life
- Exclusive access to the Father through Jesus
- Seeing Jesus as seeing the Father
- Father-Son mutual indwelling
- Jesus' words and works as the Father's
- Greater works because Jesus goes to the Father
- Prayer in Jesus' name
- The Father's glory in the Son
- Love expressed through obedience
- Another Advocate
- The Spirit of truth
- Spirit with and in believers
- Not left as orphans
- Resurrection life in Christ
- Union with Christ
- Father and Son dwelling with believers
- Holy Spirit teaching and reminding
- Peace of Christ
- The Father greater than the incarnate sent Son
- Foretelling to strengthen faith
- Ruler of this world
- Christ's sinlessness and obedience
- Jesus' love for the Father
- Faith in Christ
- Eschatological Hope
- Christ as the Only Way
- Christ as Truth
- Christ as Life
- Revelation of the Father
- Love and Obedience
- Holy Spirit as Advocate
- Spirit of Truth
- Indwelling Presence
- Spirit-Taught Apostolic Remembrance
- Sinlessness of Christ
- Obedience of Christ
Cross References
Little children, I will be with You a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, You can’t come,’ so now I tell You. A new commandment I give to You, that You love one another. Just as I have loved You, You also love one another. By this everyone will know that You are my disciples, if You have love for one another.”
Immediate context
The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw His glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him. He cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for He was before me.’ ” From His fullness we all received grace upon grace.
Same-book foundation
Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell You, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father doing. For whatever things He does, these the Son also does likewise. For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does. He will show Him greater works than these, that You may marvel. For as the...
Same-book development
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
I am pattern
Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
I am and light theme
Father-Son unity
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if He dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do You believe this?”
I am and life theme
“When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to You from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about me.
Spirit promise development
Nevertheless I tell You the truth: It is to Your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to You. But if I go, I will send Him to You. When He has come, He will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; about sin, because they don’t believe in me;
Spirit promise development
I have told You these things, that in me You may have peace. In the world You have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Peace development
That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that You sent me. The glory which You have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and You in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that You sent me and...
Union development
Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.
Canonical fulfillment
But You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in You. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, He is not His. If Christ is in You, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in You, He who raised up...
Canonical development
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Canonical development
His Son is the radiance of His glory, the very image of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, who, when He had by Himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Canonical development
Passages
Chapter opening: John 14:1-14
Let not your heart be troubled (μη ταρασσεσθω υμων η καρδια). Not here the physical organ of life ( Lu 21:34 ), but the seat of spiritual life (πνευμα, ψυχη), the centre of feeling and faith ( Ro 10:10 ), "the focus of the religious life" (Vincent) as in Mt 22:37 . See these words repeated in 14:27 . Jesus knew what it was to have a "troubled" heart ( 11:33 ; 13:31 ) where ταρασσω is used of him.
Plainly the hearts of the disciples were tossed like waves in the wind by the words of Jesus in 13:38 . Ye believe ... believe also (πιστευετε ... κα πιστευετε). So translated as present active indicative plural second person and present active imperative of πιστευω. The form is the same. Both may be indicative (ye believe ... and ye believe), both may be imperative (believe ...
and believe or believe also), the first may be indicative (ye believe) and the second imperative (believe also), the first may be imperative (keep on believing) and the second indicative (and ye do believe, this less likely). Probably both are imperatives ( Mr 11:22 ), "keep on believing in God and in me."
Mansions (μονα). Old word from μενω, to abide, abiding places, in N. T. only here and verse 23 . There are many resting-places in the Father's house (οικια). Christ's picture of heaven here is the most precious one that we possess. It is our heavenly home with the Father and with Jesus. If it were not so (ε δε μη). Ellipsis of the verb ( Mr 2:21 ; Re 2:5 , 16 ; Joh 14:11 ).
Here a suppressed condition of the second class (determined as unfulfilled) as the conclusion shows. I would have told you (ειπον αν υμιν). Regular construction for this apodosis (αν and aorist--second active--indicative). For I go (οτ πορευομα). Reason for the consolation given, futuristic present middle indicative, and explanation of his words in 13:33 that puzzled Peter so ( 13:36 f.
). To prepare a place for you (ετοιμασα τοπον υμιν). First aorist active infinitive of purpose of ετοιμαζω, to make ready, old verb from ετοιμος. Here only in John, but in Mr 10:40 ( Mt 20:23 ). It was customary to send one forward for such a purpose ( Nu 10:33 ). So Jesus had sent Peter and John to make ready (this very verb) for the passover meal ( Mr 14:12 ; Mt 26:17 ).
Jesus is thus our Forerunner (προδρομος) in heaven ( Heb 6:20 ).
If I go (εαν πορευθω). Third-class condition (εαν and first aorist passive subjunctive of πορευομα). And prepare (κα ετοιμασω). Same condition and first aorist active subjunctive of the same verb ετοιμαζω. I come again (παλιν ερχομα). Futuristic present middle, definite promise of the second coming of Christ. And will receive you unto myself (κα παραλημψομα υμας προς εμαυτον).
Future middle of παραλαμβανω. Literally, "And I shall take you along (παρα-) to my own home" (cf. 13:36 ). This blessed promise is fulfilled in death for all believers who die before the Second Coming. Jesus comes for us then also. That where I am there ye may be also (ινα οπου ειμ εγω κα υμεις ητε). Purpose clause with ινα and present active subjunctive of ειμ.
This the purpose of the departure and the return of Christ. And this is heaven for the believer to be where Jesus is and with him forever.
Ye know the way (οιδατε την οδον). Definite allusion to the puzzle of Peter in 13:36 f . The path to the Father's house is now plain.
Whither (που)-- how (πως). It is Thomas, not Peter ( 13:36 f. ) who renews the doubt about the destination of Jesus including the path or way thither (την οδον). Thomas is the spokesman for the materialistic conception then and now.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life (Εγω ειμ η οδος κα η αληθεια κα η ζωη). Either of these statements is profound enough to stagger any one, but here all three together overwhelm Thomas. Jesus had called himself "the life" to Martha ( 11:25 ) and "the door" to the Pharisees ( 10:7 ) and "the light of the world" ( 8:12 ). He spoke "the way of God in truth" ( Mr 12:14 ).
He is the way to God and the only way (verse 6 ), the personification of truth, the centre of life. Except by me (ε μη δι' εμου). There is no use for the Christian to wince at these words of Jesus. If he is really the Incarnate Son of God ( 1:1 , 14 , 18 , they are necessarily true.
If ye had known me (ε εγνωκειτε με). Past perfect indicative of γινωσκω, to know by personal experience, in condition of second class as is made plain by the conclusion (αν ηιδετε) where οιδα, not γινωσκω is used. Thomas and the rest had not really come to know Jesus, much as they loved him. From henceforth ye know him (απ' αρτ γινωσκετε αυτον). Probably inchoative present active indicative, "ye are beginning to know the Father from now on."
And have seen him (κα εωρακατε). Perfect active indicative of οραω. Because they had seen Jesus who is the Son of God, the Image of God, and like God ( 1:18 ). Hence God is like Jesus Christ. It is a bold and daring claim to deity. The only intelligible conception of God is precisely what Jesus here says. God is like Christ.
Show us (δειξον ημιν). Philip now speaks up, possibly hoping for a theophany ( Ex 33:18 f. ), certainly not grasping the idea of Jesus just expressed.
So long time (τοσουτον χρονον). Accusative of extent of time. And dost thou not know me? (κα ουκ εγνωκας με;). Perfect active indicative of γινωσκω. Jesus patiently repeats his language to Philip with the crisp statement: "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (ο εωρακως εμε εωρακεν τον πατερα). Perfect active participle and perfect active indicative of οραω, state of completion. Thou (συ). Emphatic--After these years together.
Believest thou not? (ου πιστευεισ;). Jesus had a right to expect greater faith from these men than from the blind man ( 9:35 ) or Martha ( 11:27 ). His words in 14:1 are clearly needed. This oneness with the Father Jesus had already stated ( 10:38 ) as shown by his "words" (ρηματα) and his "works" (εργα). Cf. 3:34 ; 5:19 ; 6:62 .
Believe me (πιστευετε μο). Repeated appeal (present active imperative of πιστευω) as in 14:1 to his disciples and as he had done with the hostile Jews to be influenced by his "works" at any rate ( 10:38 ).
Shall he do also (κακεινος ποιησε). Emphatic pronoun εκεινος, "that one also." Greater works than these (μειζονα τουτων). Comparative adjective neuter plural from μεγας with ablative case τουτων. Not necessarily greater miracles and not greater spiritual works in quality, but greater in quantity. Cf. Peter at Pentecost and Paul's mission tours. "Because I go" (οτ εγω πορευορνα). Reason for this expansion made possible by the Holy Spirit as Paraclete ( 16:7 ).
Whatsoever ye shall ask (οτ αν αιτησητε). Indefinite relative clause with οτ (neuter accusative singular of οστις), αν and the aorist active subjunctive of αιτεω. This is an advance thought over verse 12 . In my name (εν τω ονοματ μου). First mention of his "name" as the open sesame to the Father's will. See also 14:26 ; 15:16 ; 16:23 , 24 , 26 . That will I do (τουτο ποιησω).
The Father answers prayers ( 15:16 ; 16:23 ), but so does the Son (here and verse 14 ). The purpose (ινα clause with first aorist passive subjunctive of δοξαζω) is "that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Plead Christ's name in prayer to the Father.
If ye shall ask me anything in my name (εαν τ αιτησητε με εν τω ονοματ μου). Condition of third class with εαν and first aorist active subjunctive of αιτεω. The use of με (me) here is supported by Aleph B 33 Vulgate Syriac Peshitta. Just this phrase does not occur elsewhere in John and seems awkward, but see 16:23 . If it is genuine, as seems likely, here is direct prayer to Jesus taught as we see it practiced by Stephen in Ac 7:59 ; and in Re 22:20 .
If ye love me (εαν αγαπατε με). Third-class condition "if ye keep on loving (present active subjunctive, same contract form as indicative) me." Cf. verse 23 . Ye will keep (τηρησετε). Future active of τηρεω, not aorist imperative τηρησατε (keep) as some MSS. have. For this phrase see also 8:51 ; 14:23 , 24 ; 14:20 ; 1Jo 2:5 . Continued love prevents disobedience.
And I will pray the Father (καγω ερωτησω τον πατερα). Ερωταω for prayer, not question (the old use), also in 16:23 (prayer to Jesus in same sense as αιτεω), 26 (by Jesus as here); 17:9 (by Jesus), "make request of." Another Comforter (αλλον παρακλητον). Another of like kind (αλλον, not ετερον), besides Jesus who becomes our Paraclete, Helper, Advocate, with the Father ( 1Jo 2:1 , Cf.
Ro 8:26 f. ). This old word (Demosthenes), from παρακαλεω, was used for legal assistant, pleader, advocate, one who pleads another's cause (Josephus, Philo, in illiterate papyrus), in N. T. only in John's writings, though the idea of it is in Ro 8:26-34 . Cf. Deissmann, Light, etc. , p. 336. So the Christian has Christ as his Paraclete with the Father, the Holy Spirit as the Father's Paraclete with us ( Joh 14:16 , 26 ; 15:26 ; 16:7 ; 1Jo 2:1 ).
For ever (εις τον αιωνα). This the purpose (ινα) in view and thus Jesus is to be with his people here forever ( Mt 28:20 ). See 4:14 for the idiom.
The Spirit of truth (το πνευμα της αληθειας). Same phrase in 15:27 ; 16:13 ; 1Jo 4:6 , "a most exquisite title" (Bengel). The Holy Spirit is marked by it (genitive case), gives it, defends it (cf. 1:17 ), in contrast to the spirit of error ( 1Jo 4:6 ). Whom (ο). Grammatical neuter gender (ο) agreeing with πνευμα (grammatical), but rightly rendered in English by "whom" and note masculine εκεινος (verse 26 ).
He is a person, not a mere influence. Cannot receive (ου δυνατα λαβειν). Left to itself the sinful world is helpless ( 1Co 2:14 ; Ro 8:7 f. ), almost Paul's very language on this point. The world lacks spiritual insight (ου θεωρε) and spiritual knowledge (ουδε γινωσκε). It failed to recognize Jesus ( 1:10 ) and likewise the Holy Spirit. Ye know him (υμεις γινωσκετε αυτο).
Emphatic position of υμεις (ye) in contrast with the world ( 15:19 ), because they have seen Jesus the Revealer of the Father (verse 9 ). Abides (μενε). Timeless present tense. With you (παρ' υμιν). "By your side," "at home with you," not merely "with you" (μεθ' υμων) "in the midst of you." In you (εν υμιν). In your hearts. So note μετα ( 16 ), παρα, εν.
I will not leave (ουκ αφησω). Future active of αφιημ, to send away, to leave behind. Desolate (ορφανους). Old word (ορφος, Latin orbus ), bereft of parents, and of parents bereft of children. Common in papyri of orphan children. In 13:33 Jesus called the disciples τεκνια (little children), and so naturally the word means "orphans" here, but the meaning may be "helpless" (without the other Paraclete, the Holy Spirit).
The only other N. T. example is in Jas 1:27 where it means "fatherless." I come (ερχομα). Futuristic present as in verse 3 .
But ye behold me (υμεις δε θεωρειτε με). Emphatic position of υμεις (ye) in contrast to the blind, unseeing world. Cf. 13:33 ; 16:10 , 16 . Because I live, ye shall live also (οτ εγω ζω κα υμεις ζησετε). This is our blessed guarantee of immortal, eternal life, the continued living of Jesus. He is the surety of a better covenant ( Heb 7:22 ), the Risen Christ Jesus. He had said it before ( 6:57 ).
In that day (εν εκεινη τη ημερα). The New Dispensation of the Holy Spirit, beginning with Christ's Resurrection and the Coming of the Holy Spirit at pentecost. Shall know (γνωσεσθε). Future middle of γινωσκω. Chapters 1 to 3 of Acts bear eloquent witness to these words.
He it is that loveth me (εκεινος εστιν ο αγαπων με). Emphatic demonstrative pronoun εκεινος: "that is the one who loves me." And will manifest myself unto him (κα εμφανισω αυτω εμαυτον). Future active of εμφανιζω, old verb from εμφανης ( Ac 10:40 ; Ro 10:20 ). The Unseen and Risen Christ will be a real and spiritual Presence to the obedient and loving believer.
Not Iscariot (ουχ ο Ισκαριωτης). Judas Iscariot had gone ( 13:30 ), but John is anxious to make it clear that this Judas (common name, two apostles also named James) was not the infamous traitor. He is also called Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus ( Mr 3:17 ; Mt 10:3 ) and the brother (or son) of James ( 6:15 ; Ac 1:13 ). This is the fourth interruption of the talk of Jesus (by Peter, 13:36 ; by Thomas, 14:5 ; by Philip, 14:8 ; by Judas, 14:22 ).
And not to the world (κα ουχ τω κοσμω). Judas caught at the word εμφανιζω in verse 21 as perhaps a Messianic theophany visible to all the world as at the judgment ( 5:27 f. ). He seems to suspect a change of plan on the part of Jesus (τ γεγονεν οτ=how has it happened that).
If a man love me (εαν τις αγαπα με). Condition of third class with εαν and present active subjunctive, "if one keep on loving me." That is key to the spiritual manifestation (εμφανιζω). We will come (ελευσομεθα). Future middle of ερχομα and first person plural (the Father and I), not at the judgment, but here and now. And make our abode with him (κα μονην παρ' αυτω ποιησομεθα).
See verse 2 for the word μονη (dwelling, abiding place). If the Holy Spirit "abides" (μενε, verse 17 ) in you, that heart becomes a temple (ναος) of the Holy Spirit ( 1Co 3:16 f. ), and so a fit dwelling place for the Father and the Son, a glorious and uplifting reality.
He that loveth me not (ο μη αγαπων με). Present active articular participle of αγαπαω with negative μη, "the one who keeps on not loving me." Is not mine, but the Father's (ουκ εστιν εμοσ, αλλα του πατρος). Predicative possessive pronoun εμος and the predicate genitive of possession πατρος.
Have I spoken (λελαληκα). Perfect active indicative of λαλεω, for permanent keeping (τηρεω verse 23 ). While yet abiding with you (παρ' υμιν μενων). Present active participle, no "yet" (ετ) in the Greek, "while remaining beside (παρ') you" before departing for the coming of the other Paraclete.
Whom (ο). Grammatical neuter, but "whom" is correct translation. The Father will send the Holy Spirit ( 14:16 ; Lu 24:49 ; Ac 2:33 ), but so will the Son ( Joh 15:26 ; 16:7 ) as Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples ( 20:22 ). There is no contradiction in this relation of the Persons in the Trinity (the Procession of the Holy Spirit). Here the Holy Spirit (full title as in Mr 3:29 ; Mt 12:32 ; Lu 12:10 ) is identified with the Paraclete.
He (εκεινος). Emphatic demonstrative pronoun and masculine like παρακλητος. Shall teach you all things (υμας διδαξε παντα). The Holy Spirit knows "the deep things of God" ( 1Co 2:10 ) and he is our Teacher in the Dispensation of the Holy Spirit of both new truth (verse 25 ) and old. Bring to your remembrance (υπομνησε υμας). Future active indicative of υπομιμνησκω, old verb to remind, to recall, here only in this Gospel (cf.
3Jo 1:10 ; 2Ti 2:14 ) and with two accusatives (person and thing). After pentecost the disciples will be able better to recall and to understand what Jesus had said (how dull they had been at times) and to be open to new revelations from God (cf. Peter at Joppa and Caesarea).
My peace (ειρηνην την εμην). This is Christ's bequest to the disciples before he goes, the shalom of the orient for greeting and parting, used by Jesus in his appearances after the resurrection ( 20:19 , 21 , 26 ) as in 2Jo 1:3 ; 3Jo 1:14 , but here and in 16:33 in the sense of spiritual peace such as only Christ can give and which his Incarnation offers to men ( Lu 2:14 ).
Neither let it be fearful (μεδη δειλιατω). Added to the prohibition in verse 1 , only N. T. example of δειλιαω (rare word in Aristotle, in a papyrus of one condemned to death), common in LXX, like palpitating of the heart (from δειλος).
I go away, and I come (υπαγω κα ερχομα), both futuristic presents ( 7:33 ; 14:3 , 18 ). If ye loved me (ε ηγαπατε με). Second-class condition with the imperfect active of αγαπαω referring to present time, implying that the disciples are not loving Jesus as they should. Ye would have rejoiced (εχαρητε αν). Second aorist passive indicative of χαιρω with αν, conclusion of second-class condition referring to past time, "Ye would already have rejoiced before this" at Christ's going to the Father (verse 12 ).
Greater than I (μειζων μου). Ablative case μου after the comparative μειζων (from positive μεγας). The filial relation makes this necessary. Not a distinction in nature or essence (cf. 10:30 ), but in rank in the Trinity. No Arianism or Unitarianism here. The very explanation here is proof of the deity of the Son (Dods).
The prince of the world (ο του κοσμου αρχων). Satan as in 12:31 which see.
But that the world may know (αλλ' ινα γνω ο κοσμος). Purpose clause with ινα and the second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω. Elliptical construction (cf. 9:3 ; 13:18 ; 15:25 ). "But I surrendered myself to death," etc. , before ινα. Arise, let us go hence (εγειρεσθε, αγωμεν εντευθεν). Imperative present middle of εγειρω and the volitive (hortatory) subjunctive αγωμεν (the word used in 11:7 , 16 ) of going to meet death.
Apparently the group arose and walked out into the night and the rest of the talk (chs. 15 and 16) and prayer (ch. 17) was in the shadows on the way to Gethsemane.