John 14 - The King James Study Bible

14:1. Let not your heart be troubled refers to Peter, Jesus having just told him of his imminent denial of his Lord (13:38). But the larger reference is to all the apostles, through whom Jesus is going to lay the foundation of the church. His comfort also includes instruction about His departure, the sending of the Holy Spirit, the promise of spiritual power, of answered prayer, and of peace, but especially the promise of His return.

14:6. Jesus does not tell them about the way, nor does He show them the way. He does not even guide them along the way. He says He is the way!

14:9. Seen me . . . seen the Father: There are no attributes of deity that the Son does not possess. This statement is most powerful. Everything that is true of God the Father is also true of the Son. The doctrine of the Trinity in the New Testament may be inscrutable, but it is also inescapable.

14:11. Works’ sake: Jesus reiterates what He had said to the Pharisees (10:38), but here His words fall on receptive ears. The works have evidential value to the unsaved (to convince of the truth), and the saved (to assure them of the truth).

14:12. Greater works: Greater in quantity, certainly not quality. Christ’s ministry was primarily to Israel. His followers were going to reach the limits of the world.

14:13,14. In my name means “as My agent.” The promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus’ will (cf. 16:23–26). It is also linked here especially in the accomplishment of the “greater works.” The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.

14:16. Another (allon) stresses that the Holy Spirit would be “another” like Jesus. A Comforter (Paraclete) is an advocate called alongside for aid in time of trouble. See the same word in 1 John 2:1, “Advocate.”

14:17. The Spirit . . . shall be in you: Compare with 7:37–39. The ministry of the Holy Spirit, promised to believers of this age, is unique since it is given to all believers alike, and is permanent (dwelleth, that is, “takes up residence”). See verse 23.

14:20. I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you (cf. 10:27–30): The believer is secure in Christ, and Christ is in God.

14:23. If a man love me . . . we will come . . . and make our abode: The divine indwelling is conditional on love, and obedience to Jesus’ words. The Word of the gospel is primarily (though not exclusively) in view here.

14:26. Comforter . . . whom . . . he: The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. Bring . . . to your remembrance: The Holy Spirit would enable the apostles to remember all the words and works of Jesus when they were writing the New Testament.

14:28. My Father is greater than I (cf. vv. 7–11): The Father is greater in authority, not being. See also 1 Corinthians 15:27,28.

14:30. The prince of this world is the Devil (cf. 12:31; 16:11): Perhaps Jesus is referring to Judas, that is, the Devil within him (cf. 13:27).