Commentary on the Gospel of John Chapter 14

A Commentary on the Gospel of John Chapter Fourteen
John Chapter 14:1-31
by Cooper Abrams
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           The Lord begins in John 14:1 a long discourse that continues through Chapter 17 and ends with His prayer for them. Jesus had repeatedly talked about His coming death and departure and He brings into a sharp focus the comments He had made. At this time the disciples did not seem to accept or understand, but obviously now this truth was beginning to sink in that the Lord was leaving them. In John 16:6 Jesus in the middle of this discourse mentions they were sorrowful because He had told them He would leave. His leaving was puzzling to them because they believed He was the Messiah. Their understanding was that He would be soon setting up His kingdom and ruling from Jerusalem as Israel's Deliverer. (See John 16:17-18) The obvious question was if He is about to become the King of Israel, why was he saying He was going to be betrayed, that He would die, and leave them? How could this happen to the promised Messiah? His great power in preforming miracles demonstrated that He was the Messiah and they believed was the Son of God. (See Matt. 16:16, Luke 22:70; Joh. 3:18, 5:25, 6:69, 11:14) Jesus now begins to help them to understand and to prepare them for the coming events.
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
           In spite of how dismal His leaving appeared, He comforts them telling them not to let their hearts be troubled. He emphasizes that they believed and trusted God the Father, and therefore they should also believe in Him. The disciples did not know about the severe trials and persecutions that lay ahead for them. All of them would suffer persecutions because of their faith in the Lord and all but John would be martyred. His coming betrayal, trial, and crucifixion would be the beginning of great troubles from them. Certainly, this was on Jesus' mind when He spoke to them and assured them of the promise of heaven.
           It was not consequence that the first thing that God said to believers, after four hundred years of silence after the Book of Malachi was, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:2-4) We can be sure that in the years that followed the disciples often remembered the Lord's consoling words and they were a source of strength to them.
           The sure hope of heaven is the source of great strength and comfort to the child of God. It was clear that Jesus was explaining that He would soon return to heaven which is the house or abode of God the Father. He was assuring them that in returning to heaven He would be preparing a place for them there where they could be with Him again. He explained several things to them. One, their belief in Him assured them of a place in heaven. He was the means whereby they would enter heaven. He had explained in John 11:25-26 that He was the resurrection and the life and those that believed in him would live. As He continued this discourse He stated in John 14:6 ". . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Second, Jesus told them there were ample dwelling places (mansions) in heaven for them all. Third, He told them His leaving was to go ahead and prepare a place in heaven for them. He promised that their separation would not be permanent and that He would return for them. And lastly, Jesus said they knew the way. Vincent referring to the grammatical us of the word "egw??" (I) states, "It is scarcely fanciful to see the first two meaning of blended in the use of the verb this passage. Jesus, by the Spirit, takes His own along with Him through life, and then takes them to His side at death. He himself conducts them to Himself."
"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:4-5)
           Jesus addresses Peter's question in John 13:36 when he asked where the Lord was going. Jesus responds saying "You know where I am going and the way to get there." Christ had throughout His ministry had spoken many times explaining the way of eternal life and also that we would die and return to heaven. John records that Jesus spoke of belief in Him as the way of salvation at least twenty-six times prior to this discourse. Jesus was God, the greatest and most effective preacher that ever existed, yet it seems they had heard His words, but had missed His message. He had just spoken of going to heaven, preparing a place there for them and returning to take with Him to heaven. Yet, Thomas, labeled as the doubter, responds countering the Lord's statement, saying we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way. (See John 20:25) Barnes has this to say about Thomas' statement, "All this shows the difficulty of believing when the mind is full of prejudice and of contrary opinions. Had Thomas laid aside his previous opinions--had he been willing to receive the truth as Jesus plainly spoke it, there would have been no difficulty."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14:6-7)
           Once again, the Lord repeats what He has been telling them throughout His ministry. He made it explicit, that only He was the way, the only truth, the only life, and no one could come to the Father, and have eternal life except through Him. Thomas and the disciples may not have understood earlier, but by saying salvation was only by Him they could not now misunderstand who He was or why He came into the world.
           Jesus' next statement is profound. The word general word for "known" (ginosko) means "to become acquainted with." However, Jesus used the word "ginwkeite" (known), the more precise word, three times in this verse. It means to personally and intimately know Him which is a deeper relationship. The implication is that if they knew Him on this level of knowledge, they should know God the Father. To know Jesus spiritually is to know the Father.
           Jesus further says that "henceforth you know Him" or from this moment the disciples would begin to know Him more profoundly. They did love Jesus as a man, teacher and companion, but now they would know Him as their Savior and God. He then, to preclude any misunderstanding says "you have seen Him." When they saw Jesus, they were seeing Almighty God incarnate in man. Jesus proclaimed He was God. (See John 1:1)
"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." (John 14:8-11)
           It is amazing that some men cannot seem to understand what they hear and see. Prior beliefs, prejudices and biases cloud the understanding. Jesus had just stated in absolute clarity that salvation was only through Him. He told them that when they saw Him they were looking at God in corporal form. Yet, Philip's response showed the degree of his understanding. He wanted Jesus to confirm His statement with a sign or some visible form of God. He plainly had not been impressed with the great number of incredible mirages Jesus has done, nor in Jesus repeated statements as to His deity. The Jews understood God revealed Himself through His prophets, signs, and through the Shekinah glory of God. Philip seemed not able to comprehend Jesus' deity, though He had repeatedly revealed Himself as God to them.
           Jesus' response was one of disappointment, but it must be understood that after Jesus' resurrection Philip and the disciples would understand. Philip had been a disciple longer than most of the other disciples and had seen innumerable signs. However, he had not believed. This seems to be the key to understanding his response. After the resurrection, even when the other disciples said they had seen the resurrected Lord, Thomas did not believe them. He wanted to touch the Lord's hands and side in order to believe. His nature was to doubt. What a lesson is here for the doubters. Jesus is to be accepted and believed because of who He is and upon His credibility as our God and Creator (See John 1:1-4). How hard it seems to be for some, to simply believe God. The pastor and teacher who proclaim God's word can also feel the same disappointment and sadness as did the Lord. It is painful for the man of God to Sunday after Sunday proclaimed God's word, to love, care and sacrifice for his congregation, and yet stand at the back door as they leave the services, knowing that most go away unchanged, ignoring the principles that would bring such blessings to their lives. Jesus appeals to them to believe Him because of the marvelous works He had done. They had seen Him heal every disease, even lepers, the dumb, blind, lame, and even raised the dead. That should have been proof enough of who He was, but it was not.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:12-15)
           He now reveals to them that those who believe in Him and His works would do greater works when He returned to the Father. The greater works they would do would not be in magnitude, but in number. His ministry on earth would last only three years, but there would be many of them and they would have many more years to serve Him. Jesus explained that what they asked in His name, He would do, in that He the Son would glorify the Father. Those who loved and obeyed Him, as His servants, in His will, and at His direction He would answer. Jesus in Matthew 6:5-15 explained to His disciples how they were to pray. He said they were to address their prayers to God the Father who would answer them. Always through His ministry Jesus proclaimed that what He did was the will of the Father. He qualifies His proclamation of answered prayer further by subjective words, "If you love me, keep my commandments." As He did the Father's will, so those who were His true disciples would keep His commandments.
           In John's First Epistle he repeats the Lord's words, reminding that those who say they love Him to keep His commandments. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." (1 John 2:3) The personal test of the validity of our love for Christ is in that we keep His commandments. If a person truly believes in Jesus Christ, He knows who Jesus is and knows of His great love for us. In this foundational belief he accepts Jesus' as his Lord. This is the motivation that makes him live as his Savior directs. Obedience is the proof of true saving faith and allows the Lord to bless us. In 1 John 3:22, 4:2, 5-2-3 the Apostle repeats Jesus words. Without question, a true faith will produce a true and visible result in the lives of the born again child of God. We will at times fail, as John states in 1 John 1:8-10, but the Christian will never be happy in disobedience. The song "Obedience" written by my friends the late Mike Greene and his wife Ruth state this truth.

OBEDIENCE Song
Obedience is the very best way, to show that you believe.
Doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily.
Action is the key - do it immediately, joy you will receive.
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:16-17)
           Jesus comforts and gives encouragement to his disciples assuring them He was not leaving them alone. He said He would ask the Father and He would send them "another Comforter." The word "another" is "allos" which means "another of the same kind." The Comforter (parakletos) means an advocate or "one who is called along side." The Parakletos is the third person of the Trinity the Holy Spirit. In verses 16-17 Jesus revealed a number of affirmations as to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

He is an answer to Jesus' prayer to the Father. (16)
He is another "Comforter." (16)
He dwells permanently with the believer. (16)
He is called the Spirit of Truth.(17)
He is unknown to the "world."(17)
He will dwell in the believer. (17)

           In John's First Epistle he wrote "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate [Parakletos] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2) The Holy Spirit is the "advocate" who makes intercession for the believer before the Lord. Paul describes the work of the Holy Spirit proclaiming, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Rom. 8:26-27)
           Jesus told the disciples that the Spirit was with them then, but "shall," meaning in the future would permanently "indwell" them. The permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit came upon the one hundred and twenty disciples on the Day of Pentecost as Acts 2 records. Part of Jesus' last statements to His disciple just before He returned to heaven told them, ". . . that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5) On the Day of Pentecost, the Lord instituted a new dispensation we call the Church Age and all believers since have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when they believed and were born again. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word uniformly employed for the Spirit as referring to God's Spirit is ruach meaning "breath," "wind" or "breeze." In the New Testament the word is "pneuma" "denoting the wind, also to breathe; then especially the spirit which like the wind is invisible, immaterial and powerful."
           Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit has but one ministry to the unsaved, and that is to bring conviction to their hearts when they hear the Gospel. Beyond that the world cannot know the Spirit because the Spirit is truth, and the world rejects God's truth. Paul explained to the Corinthians, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) A person must be born again by belief in Jesus Christ and accepting His payment for their sins. Only a true child of God is born again and has the indwelling eternally abiding Spirit in their lives. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives the believer a new nature, the very nature of God, and this enables him to understand spiritual things and to serve the Lord. Thus without the Holy Spirit, which gives the believer the new nature, a man cannot comprehend the things of God. In the Old Testament the saints of God were not permanently indwelled by the Spirit. What a wonderful blessing is the gift of the Holy Spirit the Lord has given to believers in this dispensation. Paul warned in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 that the child of God should not quench the Holy Spirit. Although, the Spirit abides with the Christian, sin can interfere His guiding and not allow Him to bless the child of God. Therefore, the believer must allow the Holy Spirit to control and direct his life as Paul stated, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18)
           Modern critics have criticized the King James Bible translating the word "Parakletos" as "Comforter." The NIV translates the word "Counselor" whereas the NKJV uses the word "Helper." The Holy Spirit is certainly the believer's Counselor and Helper, but according to the context of Jesus' statement Jesus' intent was to reassure and comfort them in sending the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be their Comforter or consoler in His absence. This is confirmed by Jesus' statement in verse 18. Both the NIV and the NKJV have mistranslated the passage.
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:18-21)
           Jesus continued His reassurance to them by using the word "orphanos" to explain that He would not leave them as "orphans" and without the Father. He was not leaving them desolate or by themselves and promised He would come to them. He was only hours away from His crucifixion and therefore comforts the disciples saying that after His death the world would not see Him, but they would because He would be resurrected. Not only would Jesus be alive having been resurrected, they too would live because of His resurrection.
           The disciples did not fully comprehend what Jesus was revealing to them. He tells them in the day of His resurrection they would absolutely know that He is in the Father, and that He would further be indwelling them. Only those who believe and through faith have their sins forgiven and become the children of God can understand this truth. The world rejects Jesus today as the Jews did then. The Jews cried "Crucify him, crucify him!" but that is little worse than those who reject and deny Him today and wish to remove from society any mention of the Savior.
           Again the Lord qualifies what is saving faith. Those that believe unto salvation are those who keep His commandments. The one's whose faith produces action in their lives and who truly love the Lord Jesus, are those who are saved and loved by the Father. What more comforting statement could He make than tell them He loved them and would show Himself to them. God says to those who believe, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:5-6)
"Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." (John 14:22-24)
           John records that Judas, (Jude), the disciple Thaddaeus, or Lebbaeus, was the son of Alpheus or Cleophas and Mary. Thaddaeus asked the Lord to explain how that He would manifest Himself to them, but not to the world. He lived in Galilee and was a brother of James the Younger and least known of the Apostles. John identifies him as not being Judas Iscariot.
           Jesus' answer was that if a man loved the Lord and obeyed Him, God the Father would love him and "we" mean God the Father and Jesus Christ would indwell the believer and abide with him. Jesus statement clearly reveals the truth of the Trinity. Jesus said that they would be indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and further by God the Father and Jesus Christ. Therefore the believer has the guidance, enlightenment, power, and very presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Once again Jesus stresses that the true believer would obey the Lord and follow His word and that the word was not only His, but the Father's who sent Him. In obeying the Son, the child of God obeys the Father and has the loving presence of Almighty God.
"These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:25-27)
           The Lord adds that what He had told them, the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit (Ghost), would teach them after He left. The Father whose plan Jesus was following would send them the Holy Spirit in His name. Note the ministry of the Spirit would be that He would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance what Jesus had taught them. Further through the Holy Spirit, the Lord would give believers peace, meaning a harmonious relationship with Him. This is not promised to the unsaved or to the disobedient child of God. Peace comes from being in harmony with the Lord by living according to His will. His emphasis on obedience makes it clear that true peace only comes from God and only comes to those who live allowing the Spirit to direct them. Jesus tells them that have no need to be afraid or troubled at His leaving, because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit would actually be better for them. Although Jesus would not be bodily with them, when the Spirit came and indwell them He would be present with them continually and eternally. This is partially what Jesus meant by His statement that they would do greater works than those He had done. (See John 14:12) Their works would not be greater in greatness, but in number, because He through the Spirit would be directing each of them and all future believers. Thus through His disciples, meaning those who believe on Him, He would have a worldwide ministry. Note what Jesus then says in verse 28-29,
"Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." (John 14:28-29)
           The Lord furthers this principle by proclaiming that they should rejoice because He was returning to the Father. His leaving would accomplish three things. One they would receive the Holy Spirit and all the spiritual benefit of His presence in them. Second, after He would leave, the Gospel would be spread by greater numbers of witnesses. Third, it seems, as in other places, Jesus is equating loving Him with true belief in Him. If you love someone, you want the very best for them. Jesus is implying that they should be happy He was going to the Father. Consider His circumstances. He had been persecuted and ridiculed during His entire ministry. In a few hours one of His disciples would betray Him and He would be false accused, sentenced to death out of the hatred of the rulers of the Sanhedrin. The Roman soldiers would beat Him until He could not even be recognized and He would suffer what we cannot even fathom on the cross for the sins of the world. Would it not be better then, that He return to the sanctity and peace of heaven? This gives us the precedence also, to long for heaven and the joys that await the child of God who finally reaches home.
           The statement " . . . for my Father is greater than I" has been greatly misunderstood. Gaebelein clarifies the statement saying "The Lord Jesus Christ while very God, is God manifested in the flesh, and God in His absolute Being is greater tan any manifestation of Him. God absolute is more than God revealed." This statement does not take away from Jesus' deity or equality with God the Father, but instead refers to His being incarnate in man which is less than God the Father in His spiritual essence and power.
"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." (John 14:30-31)
           Jesus reminds the disciples that He had before told them of the coming events so that they would know it was God's plan. Afterward, He explained when they saw these event happen it would cause them to understand and believe. He tells them He has other things to teach them, but His time was drawing short because the devil (the prince of this world) was coming. He was referring to Judas, who was now possessed by Satan. Satan through history and even now does all he can to alter God's plan. Satan was so bold as to even tempt the Lord Jesus, but all his past and future effects will fall. However, John proclaims ". . . the prince of this world is judged." (John 16:11) Satan's end though pending is sure. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Revelation 20:10) From that day even the memory of Satan and those that served Him will exist no longer. In contrast what a wonderful thing it will be, as those who by faith believed in Him, reside in the New Heaven and Earth with the Savior. Satan as no hope, having nothing in Christ Jesus.
           Jesus fully ready now to complete the Father's plan, proclaims He loves the Father and will faithfully carry out the Lord's will. The world at this point did not comprehend what was about to happen. The Jews had rejected Jesus and in doing so had rejected God the Father. But nothing is delayed or hindered by the world's unbelief. God's word is true, His power and plan absolute, and in the end it will be known to all. They had blasphemed Jesus' name, and work accusing Him of serving Beelzebub, but the truth would soon be revealed as He suffered, died, was resurrected, winning the victory over sin and death. It seem clear that even those who reject Him, deep down know who He is truly. Paul says in Romans 1:18-23 that they are without excuse, because God has revealed Himself to all men.
           Jesus the tells the disciples to "Arise and go hence." Many assume that at this time they left the upper chamber and proceeded out of Jerusalem to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus agonized over His coming suffering. However, John 18:1 says, "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples." (John 18:1) The verse says that when or after Jesus has spoken these words they went out. The words spoken by Jesus is the discourse between John 14:31 and 18:1. After He finished this conversation with them, the Lord with His disciples went across the brook of Cedron and entered into the Garden of Gethsemane.
           The word "egeireqen" (arise) is plural perfect tense which denotes a kind of continuous action. It means to awake as to rise out of sleep. Thus it seems Jesus was not telling them to arise and leave the upper chamber, which they clearly did not do, but was saying "Let us awake and get on with letting the Father's will be done which He was explaining to them." He then continued in the upper chamber to teach them until they left as John 18:1 records.

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