John 14 - Printer Friendly

What does John 14 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

During the last supper, Jesus made dire predictions. He noted that one of the inner circle would become a traitor (John 13:21), and said Peter would deny Him three times that very evening (John 13:38). This chapter begins a long address from Jesus: other than five moments where the disciples ask a question, Scripture from here until the end of chapter 17 is entirely composed of the words of Christ. Jesus begins with comfort and reassurance. This applies to their immediate emotions, but also serves to strengthen their faith in the hours to come. These words are spoken to the disciples, but include principles which apply to all believers.

The first words of this chapter continue uninterrupted from the prediction that Peter will deny Christ (John 13:36–38). Scripture indicates Jesus sometimes had a troubled spirit (John 11:33; 12:27), but here He tells His followers not to have troubled hearts. The distinction is between the unhappiness of circumstances, felt in the spirit, versus the despair one feels when they lose courage in their heart. Part of a believer's confidence comes from knowing that Jesus is preparing a reunion, where all things will be made right (John 14:1–3).

Although Jesus has often said His path is one others cannot follow (John 7:32–34), He now says His followers know "the way to" where He is going. That seems confusing, since in order to know how to get somewhere, it's usually necessary to know the end destination. Thomas expresses this very misunderstanding. Jesus responds that the knowledge in question is not intellectual. The means to obtain salvation is not a path or a process, it is a person. Jesus is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Arriving at our spiritual destiny is not a matter of seeking a goal on our own terms; it is a question of whether we know the Person who embodies ultimate Truth (John 14:4–7).

Philip then asks a question hinging on the idea of Jesus being the One to "show" them the Father. Jesus responds with another claim that He and God are One. To see Christ is to see God. The words, actions, teachings, and miracles of Jesus all serve as proof of these concepts. Along with that, Jesus notes that those who come after Him will be able to do "greater" works than He has. In context, this does not imply believers have more divine power than Jesus did. Rather, it means the opportunity to reach more people, and for longer, than Jesus did during His public ministry. As part of that, requests made in the name of Christ—aligned with His purposes and will—will be granted (John 14:8–14).

Just before promising the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes a strong comment about the relationship between a person's love for Christ and their actions. The statement is brutally brief and to-the-point: "if you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). To help us in that way, we are promised assistance from the Holy Spirit. This assistance will not be fully realized until after Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4; 10:47). This is a personal relationship the unbelieving world cannot know, since it rejects God (John 14:15–17).

Christ also explains the idea that this Helper is available only to believers. The world, which does not know God, cannot see God, or experience the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). One of the disciples asks Jesus to clarify this idea. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus also links to Himself and the Father, is for those who love Him and keep His teachings (John 14:18–24).

A recurring theme in this part of Scripture is Jesus' reminders that some of His words won't be fully understood until later. In this case, much of what Jesus says will only make sense after He has been arrested, executed, and resurrected. Telling the disciples these things in advance is a way of bolstering their faith when those very events happen. Jesus has little time left before He is sacrificed, but He again reminds us that Satan has no power over Him. What is about to happen occurs only by Christ's own choice (John 14:25–31).

We're not sure exactly where the upcoming dialogue is spoken. Chapter 18 indicates it will be completed before the group arrives at the Mount of Olives (John 18:1). Whether Jesus and the disciples complete the teachings recorded in chapters 15—17 in the upper room, or as they walk towards Gethsemane, Scripture does not specify. It seems most likely that they would have remained in that room until Jesus completed the prayer recorded in chapter 17.

John 14:1–14 continues Jesus' discourse with the disciples at the last supper. He has recently mentioned a traitor in their midst and predicted Peter's denials. That leads Jesus to reassure these men—reminding them that He has told them the truth and has all things in hand. In this passage, Christ famously refers to Himself as ''the way, and the truth, and the life.'' That is the sixth of seven such ''I Am'' statements included in John's gospel. This section includes Jesus' words, personal experience, and evidence of His miracles as reasons to maintain trust.

John 14:15–31 contains a prediction about the Holy Spirit. Jesus refers to this as the Spirit of Truth, and promises that the Spirit will arrive to help the disciples carry on after Jesus is ascended to heaven. Throughout this section, a person's love for Christ, their obedience to His teachings, and the indwelling of the Spirit are intertwined. As in prior statements, Jesus is focused on comfort and encouragement. He will continue to highlight the need to maintain faith, based on all He has said and done so far. Later, after advance warnings about what Christians will face, Jesus will return to describing the work and purpose of the Holy Spirit under the new covenant.

Chapter Summary:

Christ reassures His followers that faith in Him is faith in God. To know Christ is to know ''the way, and the truth, and the life'' (John 14:6). The words, actions, and miracles of Jesus should give Christians confidence to trust that He will make good on His promises. Among those are His guarantee that He is preparing to come for us, so we can be where He is. Jesus also predicts the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is only available to believers, and this Helper acts to guide, teach, and remind us. Both for the disciples, and for future Christians, these words are meant to be comforting during hard times. Since Christ knew, in advance, what would happen, we can be even more confident to trust Him.

Chapter Context:

After completing His public ministry in Jerusalem (John 12:36–38), Jesus has washed the feet of the disciples (John 13:3–5), predicted His betrayal (John 13:21), and foreseen Peter's denial (John 13:37–38). Chapter 14 begins a series of remarks meant to encourage the disciples, in the face of dire warnings. Among these are reminders that Jesus is planning to bring them to be where He is, assurance that He is ''the way,'' and the first explicit promises of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 15 will continue this address, beginning with Jesus' claim to be ''the true vine.''

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.

Accessed 5/9/2024 3:13:49 AM