John 14 - The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

14:1 troubled. The same word used of Christ’s own inner disturbance (12:27; 13:21). Christ shares His hope and joy with His disciples in order to sustain them (v. 27; 15:11).

14:2 mansions. The Greek word simply means dwelling places (v. 23), which also carries the older sense of the English word “mansions.” prepare a place. By His sufferings and exaltation He will obtain a place for them with the Father in heaven (Heb. 6:19–20).

14:3 come again. Jesus spoke of His coming throughout this chapter in a variety of ways (vv. 18,23,28). where I am . . . ye may be. See 17:24.

14:4–5 whither. Where, to what place.

14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. Christ summarizes here how in Him the Lord God (I am) has come to mankind to be all they need for salvation. Christ Himself is the only path (way) by which sinners far from God can draw near to Him (1:51; 10:9) in reconciled relationship (3:36); the only knowledge (truth) by which those ignorant of God can receive revelation (1:1,14,18) and illumination (1:3; 8:12) so as to know Him (17:3); and the only power by which those dead in sin can be raised (life; 5:25–26) to live for God and with God in the Spirit (6:63; 7:37–39) both now and forever (11:25–26). This summary corresponds to Christ’s offices as Priest, Prophet, and King. no man cometh . . . but by me. Christ is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), and faith in Christ is the necessary means of salvation (Acts 4:12; Rom. 10:13–14).

14:7 henceforth. From this time forward.

14:8 sufficeth. Is sufficient.

14:9 he that hath seen me hath seen the Father. Christ is the perfect image of God, for He has the same divine nature (1:1,18; 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15).

14:12 Verily, verily. Truly (see note at 1:51). greater works. A larger numbers of converts would be gathered in by the preaching of the apostles (Acts 2:41; 4:4).

14:13–14 ask in my name. Christ’s name is shorthand for God’s glory revealed in Christ through the gospel, the object of saving faith (1:12; 3:18; 12:28; 17:6,26; 20:31). To act in someone else’s name is to do so as one sent or given authority by Him (v. 26; 10:25). Therefore, to pray in Jesus’ name (15:16; 16:23–24,26) is to approach God through faith in Christ’s person and saving work, as those to whom the Father has given the right to make our requests boldly because of His Son.

14:15 The best proof of love for Christ is obedience. my commandments. Jesus taught His disciples to obey the Ten Commandments from a heart of love (Matt. 5:17–28; 12:1–13; 15:3–9; 22:37–40).

14:16 I will pray the Father. The outpouring and continuing ministry of the Spirit is the fruit of Christ’s work (Gal. 3:13–14), obtained by His priestly intercession. another Comforter. An advocate or helper (Greek, paraklêtos), a title for the Holy Spirit, as it is of Christ (1 John 2:2). The Spirit is depicted as teaching (v. 26), testifying to the world (15:26), and convicting the world of its wrongs (16:7–8).

14:17 Spirit of truth. Another title for the Holy Spirit (15:26; 16:13), emphasizing that His work is inseparable from that of Christ (v. 6) and the written Word of God (6:63). seeth him not, neither knoweth him. The Spirit’s saving work is foreign to unbelievers, not being part of their mindset or experience; they cannot receive His truth until He changes them (3:3; 6:44). be in you. Though the Spirit is in all places (Ps. 139:7), He is uniquely present in believers as the Spirit of adoption (v. 18; Rom. 8:9,14–16).

14:18 I will not leave you comfortless. Literally, “I will not leave you as orphans.” I will come to you. This refers to His coming in the Spirit (v. 17) on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–47), not to His second coming (v. 3).

14:19 a little while. It was only a few hours before Christ would die and be buried. world seeth me no more. Christ would appear to many of His disciples after His resurrection (20:1—21:25), but not publicly to unbelievers. because I live, ye shall live also. The union of believers with Christ (v. 20) gives them the same spiritual life possessed by Christ in His human nature, a reflection of the shared life within the Trinity (5:26).

14:20 At that day. Pentecost and after. The ascent of Christ and the descent of the Spirit were a vindication ( ye shall know) that God had received and was satisfied with the work of Christ. in my Father . . . in me . . . in you. This is the language of union and oneness.

14:21 shall be loved . . . I will love. God’s love and benevolence are not based on anything in us but are the reason anyone is saved (3:16; 1 John 4:9–10). However, God delights in the obedience to His commandments His grace produces, and He shows that delight by revealing Himself (manifest) in a deeper way to obedient believers (Ps. 25:14).

14:22 Judas . . . not Iscariot. See Luke 6:16. Judas (a Greek form of Judah) was a common name among Jews.

14:23 make our abode with him. Just as the believer will dwell with God and Christ in the glories of heaven (abode is the same word as “mansions,” v. 2), so the triune God already dwells in the hearts of true believers, all of whom are in a state of grace (Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27).

14:26 teach you all things. Christ will continue His work (in my name) as the Prophet and teacher of the disciples through the Holy Spirit (16:12–14). bring . . . to your remembrance. The Gospel records of Christ’s teachings are inspired by the Holy Spirit and thus are Holy Scripture (cf. 1 Tim. 5:18 with Luke 10:7). This promise has special reference to the apostles, whom the Spirit used to bring the gospel into all the world (20:21–23; Eph. 2:20–22; 3:5). It also has application to the Spirit’s continuing work of applying the completed Scriptures to the church.

14:27 my peace. The inner peace Christ gives to believers is solid and comforting, even in the midst of distressing trials (16:33; 20:19,21,26; Phil. 4:7).

14:28 The disciples should be glad to think that their Master is returning to the Father in heaven. my Father is greater than I. In respect not to Christ’s deity (5:18) but to His human nature, and also to the state of His person in the time of His humiliation, which was about to end (go unto the Father).

14:30 prince of this world. Satan (see note at 12:31). hath nothing in me. Christ knows that He is not guilty of that for which they seek to condemn Him.

14:31 that the world may know. Christ glorified the Father (12:28; 13:31) whom He loves by obeying His commandment even to the point of death of the cross (Phil. 2:8).

Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship: Chapter 14

1. Just as Jesus showed His love by washing the feet of His disciples (13:1–38), so He demonstrated His great mercy by teaching them in the upper room just before He was arrested and killed (14:1—17:26). Rather than turning inward as His death approached, Christ devoted Himself all the more to serving others. Rather than demanding comfort, He disbursed it to others. How can we imitate His example?
2. Verse 6 is one of Christ’s most loved statements, a precious distillation in just a few words of all that He is for His people. How have you known Christ as your way? Your truth? Your life? Why is He the only way to the Father?
3. As Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure, He repeatedly pointed them to the Divine Person who would continue Christ’s ministry among them after Jesus left: the Holy Spirit. What does this chapter teach us about the Spirit’s work and why we need Him?