CHAPTER XIV. _Christ comforts his disciples, on the event of his removal from_ _them, by the consideration of his going to prepare a place for_ _them in heaven_, 1-4. _Thomas questions him concerning the way to the Father, and is_ _answered_, 5-7. _Philip proposes a difficulty, and Christ show... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:2. _IN MY FATHERS HOUSE_, c.] The kingdom of glory. _MANY MANSIONS_] Though I have said before that whither I am going ye cannot come _now_, yet do not think that we shall be for ever separated. I am going to that state of glory where there is not only a place of supreme eminence for... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:3. _AND IF I GO_] And when I shall have gone and prepared a place for you - opened the kingdom of an eternal glory for your reception, and for the reception of all that shall die in the faith, _I will come again_, after my resurrection, and give you the fullest assurances of this state... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:4. _AND WHITHER I GO YE KNOW_] I have told you this so often and so plainly that ye must certainly have comprehended what I have said.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:5. _LORD, WE KNOW NOT_] Thomas, perhaps, thought that our Lord only spoke of his going some distance from the place where he then was.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:6. _I AM THE WAY_] That leads so the Father: - the TRUTH that teaches the knowledge of God, and directs in the way: - the LIFE that animates all those who seek and serve him, and which is to be enjoyed eternally at the end of the way. Christ is the WAY: 1. By his _doctrine_, John 6:6... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:7. _IF YE HAD KNOWN ME, YE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN MY FATHER_] Because I and the Father are ONE, John 10:30. Or, if ye had properly examined the intention and design of the law, ye would have been convinced that it referred to me; and that all that I have done and instituted was according to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:8. _SHOW US THE FATHER_] As if he had said, We have seen and adored _thee_, and our happiness will be complete if thou show us the Father. The demand of Philip was similar to that made by Moses, Exodus 33:18. He wished to see the glory of God. In Peter, James, or John, this would have... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:9. _HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER_] Could any _creature_ say these words? Do they not evidently imply that Christ declared himself to his disciples to be the everlasting God?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:10. _I AM IN THE FATHER, AND THE FATHER IN ME?_] We are essentially one; and those who have seen _me_ have seen _him_ who sent me. _HE DOETH THE WORKS._] We are not only _one_ in _nature_, but _one_ also in _operation_. The works which I have done bear witness of the infinite perfecti... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:12. _AND GREATER_ WORKS _THAN THESE_] The miracles which I have wrought could not have been wrought but by the omnipotence of God; but that omnipotence can work _greater_. And those who believe on my name shall, through my almighty power, be enabled to work _greater_ miracles than thos... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:13. _WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN MY NAME_] To enable you to perform these miracles, and to convert souls, may be granted you. Besides, by going unto the Father, I shall receive the Holy Spirit, and send down his abundant influences into the hearts of those who believe.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:15. _IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS._] Do not be afflicted at the thought of my being separated from you: the most solid proof ye can give of your attachment to and affection for me is to keep my commandments. This I shall receive as a greater proof of your affection than your tea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:16. _I WILL PRAY THE FATHER_] After having made an atonement for the sin of the world, I will become the _Mediator_ between God and man; and through my _mediation_ and _intercession_ shall all the blessings of grace and glory be acquired. _ANOTHER COMFORTER_] The word παρακλητος sign... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:17. _THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH_] The Spirit, or Holy Ghost, whose essential office is to manifest, vindicate, and apply _the truth_. The Gospel of Christ may be thus called, because it exposes _falsity_, removes _error_, and teaches the _knowledge_ of the _true_ _God_-shows the _way_ to him,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:18. _I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS_] Literally, _orphans_. The original word ορφανος, is by some derived from ορφνος, _obscure, dark_, because, says _Mintert_, an _orphan_ (one deprived of father and mother) is little esteemed, neglected, and is obliged to wander about in obscurity... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:19. _BECAUSE I LIVE_] As surely as I shall rise from the dead, so shall ye. My resurrection shall be the _proof_ and _pledge_ of yours. And _because_ I _live_ a life of _intercession_ for you at the right hand of God, ye shall _live_ a life of _grace_ and _peace_ here, and a life of _g... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:20. _THAT I_ AM _IN MY FATHER_] After my resurrection, ye shall be more fully convinced of this important truth, that _I and_ _the Father are ONE_; for I will live in you by the energy of my Spirit, and ye shall live in me by faith, love, and obedience.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:21. _HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME_] John 14:15, John 14:15. _AND WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM._] All my faithful disciples shall see me after my resurrection; and I will manifest my power and goodness to all those who believe in and obey me, even to the end of the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _JUDAS_] The same as _Thaddeus_ and _Lebbeus_, the brother of James, and author of what is called the _epistle of Jude_. _HOW IS IT_] Or, _how can it be _- τι γεγονεν, _what is to_ _happen_? - on _what account_ is it? Judas, who was probably thinking that the kingdom of Christ should exte... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _IF A MAN_] Not only my present disciples, but all those who shall believe on me through _their_ word, or that of their successors: _LOVE ME_] Receive me as his Saviour, and get the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost: _HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS_] Observe all my sayings, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 24. _HE THAT LOVETH ME NOT_, c.] Hence we learn that the man who is not _obedient_ to the testimonies of Christ does not _love_ him and the Spirit of this truth has said, He who loves not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed, 1 Corinthians 16:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 26. _HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS_] If in the things which I have already spoken to you, there appear to you any obscurity, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, Counsellor, and Instructer, will take away all your doubts, free you from all embarrassment, and give you a perfect understanding in all t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU_] The Jewish form of _salutation_ and _benediction_. A wish of peace among them is thus to be understood: _May you prosper in body and soul, and enjoy every_ _earthly and heavenly good_! For the meaning of this word, see Matthew 5:9. _MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU_] Suc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:28. _I GO AWAY_] To the Father by my death: _AND COME AGAIN UNTO YOU._] By my resurrection. _YE WOULD REJOICE_] Because, as the _Messiah_, I am going to receive a kingdom, and power, and glory, for ever. Therefore as my friends ye should rejoice in my elevation, though for a while it... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:29. _I HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE IT COME TO PASS_] Lest my death should be a stumbling-block to you, I have spoken of it beforehand, and showed you the necessity of it, that when it happens ye may believe, that as I could predict it so clearly, and so circumstantially, so all the good which... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:30. _THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD_] τουτου, _of this_, is omitted by ABDEGHKLMS, Mt. BH, one hundred others; both the _Syriac_, later _Persic_, all the _Arabic_, and several of the primitive fathers. I rather think the omission of the pronoun makes the sense more _general_; for, had he sai... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse John 14:31. _ARISE, LET US GO HENCE._] Calmet supposes that Christ, having rendered thanks to God, and sung the usual hymn, Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; rose from the table, left the city, and went towards the _garden of Olives_, or _garden_ of _Gethsemane_, on the road to which, a part of the f... [ Continue Reading ]