JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:1 The esv translates BELIEVE IN GOD as an imperative (a command), but it could also be rendered as a statement (“You believe in God”; see esv footnote). The imperative is probably the better translation in light of the previous sentence (LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED). The dis... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:2 In light of the context (Jesus going back to the Father; John 13:1, John 13:3; John 14:28), it is best to understand MY FATHER’S HOUSE as referring to heaven, and the MANY ROOMS (or “dwelling places”) as places to live within that large house. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:6 Jesus is THE one WAY to THE FATHER. Salvation can be found only in Christ (see note on 3:18). Jesus as THE TRUTH fulfills the teaching of the OT (John 1:17) and reveals the true God (see John 1:14, John 1:17; John 5:33;... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:8 Philip apparently asks for some sort of appearance by God, such as Moses and Isaiah experienced (Exodus 33:18; compare Exodus 24:10; Isaiah 6:1). Jesus replies that those who have seen him have seen the Father—a clear claim to deity. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:10 I AM IN THE FATHER AND THE FATHER IS IN ME. Though there is complete unity between the Father and the Son, they are distinct persons within the Trinity (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len= [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:12 THE WORKS THAT I DO. Jesus’ “works” include both his miracles (see John 7:21) and his other activities and teachings (see John 4:34; John 5:36; John 10:32; John 17:4). The works his disciples will do will be GREATER because they will have a worldwide scope.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:13 Praying in Jesus’ NAME means praying in a way consistent with his character and will. It also means coming to God in the authority of Jesus. See also note on 1 John 5:15. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:14 IF YOU ASK ME gives permission to pray directly to Jesus, but see esv footnote. Many other verses encourage prayer to God the Father (see John 15:16). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:15 Jesus’ words echo Deuteronomy 1:1 (compare Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 11:13, Deuteronomy 11:22) and assume his unique authority.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:16 The Holy Spirit (compare v. John 14:26), the SPIRIT OF TRUTH who will guide the disciples into all truth (John 16:13), will serve as ANOTHER HELPER (or “helping Presence”; see also esv footnote). He will live in Jesus’ followers forever. He is Jesus’ representative after Jesu... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:18 I WILL COME TO YOU probably means Jesus will appear to the disciples after his resurrection (chs. John 20:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:21 KEEPS. That is, follows and obeys. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:22 The JUDAS referred to here is probably “Judas the son of James” (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13), not Judas the half brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:26 HE WILL TEACH YOU uses the masculine pronoun “he” instead of the neutral pronoun “it.” Many interpreters have seen this as John’s awareness of the distinct personhood of the SPIRIT. John follows the same usage in John 15:26 and John 16:13. That the HELPER will teach the disci... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:27 PEACE describes the absence of conflict and also the presence of blessing. Such blessing comes especially in a right relationship with God (e.g., Numbers 6:24). See also John 15:18; John 16:33. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:28 THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN I. God the Father sends and commands. Thus he is “greater” (in authority or leadership) than the Son. However, this does not mean that Jesus is inferior to the Father, as John 1:1; John 10:30; John 20:28 clearly show. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:30 The RULER OF THIS WORLD in its present fallen, sinful state is Satan. Satan IS COMING in the person of Judas and those with him (see ch. John 18:1). HAS NO CLAIM. Satan cannot force Jesus to do anything. Jesus willingly submits to the suffering that is to come, out of obedien... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 14:31 The transition from John 14:31 to John 15:1 is sometimes viewed as a “literary seam,” an indication that John’s Gospel is pieced together from different sources. More likely, John is implying that Jesus and his followers are leaving the upper room, making their way to the bro... [ Continue Reading ]