John 14 - NIV Application Bible

14:1–3 In his departure, Jesus will be working on the disciples’ behalf, preparing a place for them. God’s “house” is a place with many “rooms” (v. 2). This latter word is related to the verb repeated in this Gospel, to “remain” or “abide.” Jesus promises that death will not interrupt the relationship they have enjoyed with him.

To have a place in heaven reserved for us is one thing; confidence in getting there is quite another. But Jesus promises that he “will come back” (v. 3). When will this “coming” occur? The best view takes vv. 2–3 as a plain promise of the second coming.

14:1–11 On three previous occasions, John wrote of Jesus’ deeply troubled feelings (11:33; 12:27; 13:21). Here, the disciples face the same feelings. Jesus is charging his disciples to hold fast, considering the upcoming crisis.

14:4–7 Thomas speaks up and presses for more clarification. Jesus’ answer in v. 6 is the premier expression of the theology of this entire Gospel. Access to the Father’s presence in heaven will only be through Jesus and no other.

Jesus is the truth. He is the authoritative representative and revealer of God. He discloses God exhaustively, unlike anyone else can, because he has seen God. Those who follow Jesus, who come to the Father through his “way,” will be the ones who gain eternal “life.”

Jesus has disclosed more than anyone expected. Instead of simply defining his destination, Jesus takes the next inevitable step: only the Father can lead us to himself. If his followers know Jesus, they will know the Father as well. Since they have known him, there is more to come, and they will discover the Father who is present in him. Moreover, they have seen the Father already.

14:8–11 Philip does not understand that no one has ever seen God (1:18a). It is beyond human capacity. But in Christ, Philip sees the full embodiment of God. Jesus is not simply a religious teacher or guide. He is the one in whom God can be found.

Jesus is God’s envoy. Jesus is authorized both to work for and to speak for his sender. The Father is in Jesus, and he is in the Father. This is the unity of the Trinity.

14:12 Once Jesus departs, two promises will be realized in the community of faith: Great works will accompany those who believe, and prayer will be answered. Jesus has been performing deeds of humility, service, and love as well as miraculous signs. Jesus promises that his followers will do works that are “greater” even than these.

These works will be “greater” because regular people will do them. The Holy Spirit will inaugurate a new, never-before-seen reality.

14:13–14 Jesus and his disciples will hear one another’s voice. This theme that Jesus will do what his disciples ask (in prayer) is frequent both in the farewell discourse and in John’s letters. Such prayer is given in Jesus’ “name” and directed to Jesus. This promise of answered prayer is really a continuation of what is given in v. 13. Such answered prayer is another “great work” that Jesus will accomplish among them.

14:15–16 Next, as Jesus anticipates his departure, he describes the Spirit that is coming. This gift is an outgrowth of the loving relationship between Jesus and his disciples.

Jesus uses an unusual term in v. 16 for the Spirit (“advocate”). It occurs in secular Greek literature for an advocate in a court of law, someone who comes alongside a person to speak in his or her defense and provide counsel. Jesus is an “Advocate” who is now sending a second “Advocate.” This means that the ongoing work of the Spirit will be a continuation of the work of Jesus during the disciples’ lifetime.

14:17 It is no surprise that the Holy Spirit is also called “the Spirit of truth” (v. 17). He communicates the truth about God. We know that Jesus is “the truth,” and since the Spirit sustains Jesus’ work, he will also continue to defend the truth of Jesus.

In John’s Gospel, the “world” refers to the human environment that is in rebellion against God and in need of salvation. Jesus recognizes that such people cannot perceive the deeper things of God, such as the mystery of the Holy Spirit. The disciples, however, can know the Spirit of truth because Jesus has been with them all along, and he will be in them in the future through the Spirit.

14:18–20 “I will come to you” means that Jesus will not leave his followers desolate. But does this refer to the coming of the Spirit (vv. 16–17)? Subtle clues suggest that this indicates Jesus’ coming after his resurrection on Easter. The time frame is specific (“before long,” v. 19), and the disciples are to look for “that day” (v. 20). In his resurrection, Jesus will return to them and validate that the power of the Father has been with him all along.

But the coming of Jesus on Easter will mean more than a mere return of Jesus to life. His aim is to establish the sort of intimacy and unity he has promised throughout the discourse. The oneness he enjoys with the Father parallels the oneness the disciples will enjoy with him. Thus the Easter return will be the bridge that will inaugurate the spiritual union Jesus wants with them.

14:21–24 Again, Jesus talks about obedience as a key to what is planned: those who love Jesus show it by their fidelity to his word. But those who fail to love and obey him are not connected to Jesus or the Father and cannot share in this divine union.

14:25–31 The Trinitarian implications of vv. 25–26 are inescapable: the Father will send the Spirit in the name of Jesus.

14:26 Jesus then emphasizes the conserving and teaching roles of the Spirit. During the earthly ministry of Jesus, understanding was difficult. But now, Jesus promises, the Spirit will help his followers remember and understand.

14:27–28a The discourse of Ch. 14 closes with words of reassurance similar to those offered at the beginning. “Peace” in v. 27 refers to the restoration of humanity’s relationship with God. Nothing in the world can offer such peace.

Jesus mentions again that his disciples are troubled. Jesus points to himself. Their love for him should lead to celebration because he is returning to where he began: He is returning to the Father.

14:28b Few verses have caused more controversy than this verse. The Father’s greatness springs from his role as the origin and sender of Jesus, just as a ray of light might refer to the sun from which it came. The word picture Jesus often uses to describe his life is the agent sent on a mission. Within this agent–sender relationship, the originator of the mission has greater authority.

14:28–31 Not only should the disciples take comfort and rejoice because Jesus is returning to his origin, but they should realize that the events unfolding in Jerusalem for him are not controlled by Satan. When they occur, the disciples will recall his words and see his predictions fulfilled. Moreover, Jesus’ obedience to God’s plan should be seen as an example of his love for the Father.

✜ 14:1–31 Possessing an anticipation for heaven builds in us an eternal vantage point. We live in a world that continually keeps our eyes on the near horizon of the present and denies the limitations of our own mortality. Jesus offers a more positive incentive. Our true home, our complete security, has already been built for us by him in heaven. Once we embrace the significance of this notion, our attitudes toward this world completely change.