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Commentary
On The Book of John
The Gospel of John Chapter 14
I will do the Gospel of John
Commentary similar to my other Commentaries . . . in that
I will bring the verse or verses in the KJV, followed by what
it is saying to me. What I write will be a personal comment,
it is NOT Scripture.
Gospel of John Chapter 14
At the end of chapter 13, Simon Peter had declared that he would die for Christ Jesus. Then the Lord Jesus told him that he would deny Him three times by the time the rooster crowed in the morning. Jesus was right, as always. He knew EXACTLY what Peter would do, and just as Jesus had prophesied, Peter fulfilled it. Simon Peter had denied Jesus three times before that rooster crowed.
There are some who think that Jesus is still speaking to Peter as we enter this chapter. It is quite likely that our Lord gave this chapter to help bring Peter through that dark night of denial and to bring him back into a right relationship with God, but I think that this chapter is spoken to all the apostles, not just Peter. I think it was given to comfort Peter, all the apostles and us. This marvelous chapter is a cushion of comfort for the distress and dread of multitudes of people from that day, on down to today’s times.
This part of evangelical history may be rightly called the Holy of Holies. John, our Evangelist, is like a sanctified priest, who opens up to us this look into this safe haven. This is the record of the last moments spent by the Lord in the midst of His disciples before His passion in the Garden of Gethsemane, when words full of divine thoughts flowed from His sacred lips. His heart was full of love, and all the words He had to say to His beloved friends, was compressed into this short but serious session. Beginning in John 13:31, the message was in the form of conversation; sitting at table, as they talked intimately together. But when we reach John 14:31, the language of Christ changes. The disciples gathered around their Master, listened to the words of life, and rarely ever spoke a word. Much of Jesus' inspiring communications was often repeated to make an deep impression upon their minds, and because of what they still did not understand. Our Lord points them to the Holy Spirit, who would come after He was gone, to comfort them, remind them of all His sayings, and lead them into all truth (Jn.14:26).
Jesus Comforts His Disciples (John 14:1-31)
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (KJV)
Let not your heart be troubled . . . some versions begin this verse, ‘and he said to his disciples’. . . and it is certain that these words are addressed to all of them in general, even though Peter was the one person our Lord was speaking to in the latter part of chapter 13. The words of this chapter are words of comfort and hope, and were very much needed by Peter; but all the apostles loved Jesus and they all would be devastated at His suffering and death.
Ye believe in God, believe also in me . . . I think this states that God the Father and God the Son, to be totally equal in the object of their faith, and our faith. Since the apostles had a good and solid foundation for their faith and confidence, they had no reason to be uneasy. They did believe in God the Father and they did believe in Christ Jesus also. Our Lord had impressed upon them many times during His ministry, that He and the Father were one in unity. These words are full proof of the true deity of Christ, since He is represented as equally the object of faith with God the Father, and this lay a foundation for solid peace and comfort and hope in view of afflictions and persecutions in the world. God the Father and God the Son equal: (Jn.1:1-2; 5:17,23; 8:58; 10:30; 12:45; 14:7,9,20,23; 16:15; 17:10,21; Mat.11:27; 28:19; Mk.9:19; Col.1:15; Phil.2:6; 1 Tim.3:16; Tit.2:13; Heb.1:3; 1 Jn.5:7,20).
John 14:2 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. (KJV)
In my Father's house are many mansions . . . remember that Jesus is telling them about His leaving them. He speaks these words to take their minds off an earthly kingdom to an heavenly one, and to point out the place where He was going. His "Father's house" is Heaven (2 Cor.5:1-4). The Father's house is where He is, and will have all His family there one day. Our Lord Jesus is trying to settle the minds of His disciples to His approaching departure from them, and to strengthen their hope of following Him there.
If it were not so, I, would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you . . . this states the certainty of it . . . that His Father did have a “house,” and in it were many mansions, abundant room for all His people. Jesus does NOT lie . . . ever! He would NOT tell them, and us, this tremendous Truth if it were not so! "I go to prepare a place for you" . . . Heaven is a Kingdom prepared by Almighty God for His saints, from the foundation of the world (Tit.1:2). By the Presence and intercession of Christ, who is gone on before, and is a Forerunner entered into it, He has taken possession of it in the name of His people.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
And if I go and prepare a place for you . . . since He would go there, He will prepare a place for them, and all who, like the apostles, believe in Jesus and have faith in Him to fulfill His words. Of this, they, and we, can be fully assured. By his going is meant His death and ascent to Heaven. This is symbolic of one who is on a journey, who goes before his companions to provide a place to lodge in, and to make the necessary preparations for them. It must mean that He, by the work He was yet to perform, would secure their (and our) admission there, and obtain for them (and us) all the blessings of eternal life.
I will come again . . . definitely, at His Personal appearing. I personally think this means the Rapture. 1 Thes.4:14-17 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (KJV)
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (KJV)
And receive you unto myself . . . when Jesus comes in the clouds at the Rapture, He will take all TRUE believers with Him to Heaven. NO one knows when this event shall occur, only God Himself knows (Mat.24:36).
That where I am there you may be also . . . they and we shall behold His glory, and be with Him for ever, never more to part.
John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (KJV)
And whither I go ye know . . . they should have known where He was going, since He spoke of His Father's house, and of his going to prepare a place for them there, and no doubt had some knowledge of Heaven, although very confused and imperfect.
And the way ye know . . . He had often told them that He was going to die, rise again and ascend to Heaven, but they could not but understand it (Mat.16:21; Lk.9:22; 18:31-32). The way ye know . . . the way that leads to the dwelling place where He was going . . . the way that they were to walk was to obey His guideline. Obey Jesus’ commandments: (Jn.13:34; 14:15,21; 15:10,12; Mat.22:36-40)
John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (KJV)
Thomas saith unto him, Lord . . . this apostle reveals his ignorance, and as elsewhere his unbelief (Jn.20:25). Possibly Thomas not only speaks for himself, but for some of the other apostles.
We know not whither thou goest . . . although Jesus had just told them of his Father's house, and of His going to prepare a place for them.
And how can we know the way? . . . Thomas says: "If we do not know the place, how can we know how to get there?"
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way . . . our Lord takes the opportunity of this talk about the place where He was going and the way to it, to instruct His disciples more fully pertaining to Himself. He tells them "I am the way." Christ Jesus is not just the Way, as He goes before His people as an Example . . . or just as a Prophet, pointing out to them by His doctrine the way of salvation . . . but He is the Way of salvation itself by His obedience and His Sacrifice. There is NO other way to get to Heaven! Many then and today do not believe this. They say that this Way is too narrow . . . but my friend, this Way is wide enough for the entire world if they so choose to walk it. No one comes rightly unto God the Father except by faith in God the Son! He is the Way to Heaven!
The truth . . . Jesus is not only true, but Truth itself! He is the TRUE God, and eternal life; really and truly Man; and as a Prophet He taught the way of God in Truth. As a Priest, He is a faithful, as well as merciful one, and true and faithful to Him that appointed Him; and as a King, just and true are all His ways and management. He is the Sum and Substance of all the Truths of the Gospel, which are all full of Him, and center on Him. He is the Truth of all the Promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, and they have ALL their completion in Him. He is the ONLY True Way, in total opposition to all the false ones of man's devising. What is TRUTH? . . . it is Christ Jesus, He that is the living God, and King of the world, whether the world believes it or not. TRUTH is used by Jesus 22 times in John, and just 4 times by Him in the other Gospels. Jesus is the Truth of God that sets us free.
And the life . . . Christ Jesus is the Author and Giver of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal! He is the only Way to eternal life . . . only He can provide a blissful and glorious life where none ever get sick and die. LIFE is used 44 times in John and only 38 times in the other Gospels. Christ is the ONLY Source of eternal life.
No man cometh unto the Father but by me . . . Christ is the ONLY Way of access to the Father. There is absolutely NO coming to God the Father except through His only begotten Son. Christ Jesus is the ONLY Mediator between God and man! (Acts 4:12).
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (KJV)
If ye had known me . . . Jesus does not intend to say that they were not truly His disciples, but that they did not have a full and accurate knowledge of His character and plans. They still retained, to a large extent, the Jewish notions respecting a temporal Messiah, and did not fully understand that He was to die and be raised from the dead.
Ye should have known my Father also . . . knowledge of the Father and of Christ, go together like a hand an a glove. Anyone that sees One, sees the other also. Anyone that believes in One, believes in the other also. When a person increases in the knowledge of One, so too the other. The apostles had some knowledge of them both, but what they had was little and vague, in comparison of what they had after Jesus spoke to them here. Thanks be to the apostle John for making Jesus' words available to us.
And from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him . . . meaning, in a very short time, when the Spirit is poured down from on high upon them, they shall then have a greater knowledge both of Christ Jesus and His Father.
John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (KJV)
Philip saith to him, Lord . . . now another apostle addresses Him in a respectful manner, as Thomas had done before, calling Him Lord, and saying, "show us the Father, and it sufficeth us." He too, like Thomas, most likely speaks for them all, seems to reveal their lack of knowledge of the Father, expressing their desire to see Him.
Shew us the Father . . . it was a physical sight of Him Philip asked for, such a sight of the glory of God as Moses desired (Ex.33:18), and means that if this could be obtained, they would be happy.
And it sufficeth us . . . they would no longer be uneasy about Jesus’ departure from them. They would have no more doubt about the Father's house, and the many mansions in it. They would be content and ask no more questions.
John 14:9 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? (KJV)
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you . . . speaking intimately with them, instructing them by His ministry and performing many miraculous works among them for a long time. (Heb.5:11-12).
And yet hast thou not known me, Philip? . . . surely you cannot be so unaware as this. You have seen me with your eyes, as a Man, surely you must know that I am God by the doctrines I have taught you, and the miracles I have done among you. My friend, Jesus IS God! http://www.hisservants.org/is_jesus_god_h_s.htm
He that hath seen me hath seen the Father . . . all TRUE believers have seen Jesus and the Father . . . not with physical eyes, but with the eyes of understanding; and any person that has seen Him, has seen the perfections of the Godhead in Jesus. Philip had seen Jesus with his physical eyes, but still did not understand . . . yet. He soon would!
And how sayest thou then show us the Father . . . this request was not needed. It only reveals weakness and ignorance. The perfections they saw in Jesus, were the exact same ones that were in the Father.
John 14:10 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. (KJV)
Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me? . . . this should be an article of your faith, "that I am in the Father and the Father in me" (Jn.10:30,38; 14:9-11,20; 17:11,21; 1 Jn.5:7). This expresses the sameness of nature in the Father and the Son. The Son has perfect equality with the Father, since the Son is as much in the Father, as the Father is in the Son. There is a personal distinction between them, the Father must be distinct from the Son who is in Him, and the Son must be distinct from the Father who is in Him. The Father and Son, although of one and the same nature, cannot be one and the same Person.
The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself . . . the doctrines that Jesus preached among them are proof of what He states, for they do not come from Him as Man, but from the Father.
But the Father that dwelleth in me . . . and so proves that He was truly God, of the same nature with His Father . . . that He is in Me, and I in Him. Since He is none other than the only begotten (Jn.3:16), Who is in the bosom of the Father (Jn.1:18), Jesus IS God!
He doth the works . . . Christ now proceeds to another argument, His works, proving the Father to be in Him, and that He is in the Father, which, is extended in verse 11.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. (KJV)
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me . . . take My word for this Truth or if you will not believe Me, believe for the sake of the doctrines I have taught you, which are such as were never spoken by any mere man, and which were delivered with such authority, as were never done by man.
Or else believe me for the very work's sake . . . meaning His miraculous works, such as raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, causing the deaf to hear, and giving sight to the blind; which no one but a divine person could ever perform.
John 14:12 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. (KJV)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me . . . having mentioned His miracles as proofs of His deity, He assures His disciples, in order to comfort them when they would lose His physical Presence, that they would do the same, and greater works. I really do not think these words are for everyone that believes in Christ, of every private believer in Him, but just the apostles, of which there are none today. An apostle was personally chosen by the Son of Man, Jesus. I do know there are those who disagree with me. But, this is what I believe.
The works that I do shall he do also . . . His apostles would raise the dead, heal all manner of diseases, and cast out devils. These things are what Christ gave His apostles power to do in the early church, when He first gave them a commission to preach the Gospel, and when He renewed and enlarged it: and which they did perform, not in their name, not by their power, but in the Name and by the power of Christ Jesus.
And greater works than these shall he do . . . does not mean greater in nature and kind, but greater in number, for the apostles in a course of years, preached the Gospel, not only in Judea, but in all the world (Mat.24:14). "God also bearing them witness with signs and wonders, and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost" (Heb.2:4) wherever they went. It is possible too, that by these “greater works” may be meant the many instances of conversion, in which the apostles were instrumental, and which were more in number than those which were under our Lord's personal ministry. We must remember that the conversion of a sinner is indeed a great work!
Because I go to my Father . . . when Jesus ascended into Heaven to His Father, the Holy Spirit was given to them, as we shall soon see. He would not only enable them to perform miracles, as proofs of their apostleship, and the doctrine they preached, but would in great power be present with the Gospel to assist in the conversion of multitudes of souls (Acts 2:41,47; 4:4).
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (KJV)
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name . . . Jesus is speaking to the apostles here, giving them words of comfort and hope. He said they would do greater works than He had done, (I think meaning greater in number), and here He is telling them when they need assistance in the preaching of the Gospel, or for performing miraculous works, or for success in their service to Him, they were to go in prayer and ask in His Name. We too, when we pray, should always ask in His Holy Name. I think it gives honor and glory to our Lord Jesus and to His Father.
That will I do . . . do you really see what He says here? He does not say that He would be a Mediator between God and them (1 Tim.2:5), He would not act as an Advocate with the Father for them (1 Jn.2:1), and would intercede on their behalf, He would not use His importance with the Father that it might be done (Jn.3:16; 10:30). . . all this would be saying much, and ALL of these He does . . . BUT . . . here, Jesus clearly states that He would do it Himself. This is an absolute proof of His Deity, and an example of His omnipotence.
That the Father may be glorified in the Son . . . God has set up His rest in Christ, His only begotten Son, and shall be glorified in and through Him; and therefore has given Him all power in Heaven and Earth (Mat.11:27; 28:18; Jn.3:35; 17:2; Acts 2:36). NOTHING that Christ Jesus ever did was done to glorify Himself, it was done for the good of His people, and for the glory of His heavenly Father.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (KJV)
If ye shall ask anything in my name. . . any time Jesus repeats something, it is important. This being repeated by Christ, is done to strengthen and confirm the faith of His apostles all the more in this matter; that whatsoever they asked “in His Name” would be done for them.
I will do it . . . HE would do it! Any time a person prays in the Name of Jesus, is pleading on the merits of His precious Blood (1 Pet.1:18-19), His righteousness (1 Cor.1:30), and His Sacrifice (Gal.1:4). All this is done according to the will of God, for His glory and their good, and He would do it for them, when absent from them, as well as when present with them. His words are repeated for the added proof of them, that they, and we, might not any doubt when we put up our petitions to God in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Any time we pray in Jesus’ Name and our petition has the glory of God in mind . . . He will do it!
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (KJV)
If ye love me . . . they were not to show their love just by grief at His departure, but by obedience. Keeping His commandments is the only appropriate evidence of love to Jesus. A mere profession is NO proof of love. Those who truly love Jesus, will do His will, will love each other, will deny self, will take up their cross, and will follow Him through evil report and through good report. The disciples of Christ are required to show that they love Him by yielding to all His requirements, and by patiently and willingly doing His will in the face of ridicule and opposition (1 Jn.5:2-3). If ye love me: (Jn.15:10,14, 14:21,23. 1 Jn.5:3).
Keep my commandments . . . Christ Jesus is Lord over His people. He is the Creator (Jn.1:3; Eph.3:9; Col.1:16; Rev.4:11) and Redeemer (Hos.7:13; 13:14) of them, and as He is the Head and Husband to them (Rev.19:7), and as such He has a perfect right to state His commands, and demand obedience from them. Our Lord kept His Father's commands, and we should keep His commands to us! And IF we really love Him . . . we will!
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (KJV)
And I will pray the Father . . . here, Jesus speaks as Mediator, and promises His apostles, that He would intercede for them with the Father. I think this is intended as an extra encouragement to them to ask for what they want, in His Name, and to comfort their hearts, which were troubled at the news of His departure from them.
And he shall give you another Comforter . . . this is enormous proof of the trinity of Persons in the Godhead. Trinity: (Mat.3:16; 28:19; Mk.1:10-11; Jn.1:32-34; 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 1:4-5; Rom.5:5; 2 Cor.13:14; 1 Pet.1:2; 1 Jn.5:7). Here the is Father prayed to, by the Son in human nature, and the Holy Ghost, the Comforter is prayed for, Who is the Gift of the Father, through the prevailing mediation of the Son. Now that He was about to leave them, He adds additional comfort and support for their upcoming sorrow. He promises that He would give them another Comforter, meaning the Holy Spirit, who carries out His work and office, by taking the things of Christ, and showing them to His people; by shedding abroad the love of the Father, and of the Son, into their hearts; by opening, revealing and applying the precious Promises of the Gospel to them; by being a Spirit of adoption in them (Rom.8:15); and by abiding with them as the seal (2 Cor.1:22), an earnest (2 Cor.5:5), and Promise (Eph.1:13) of their future glory. With all this in view Christ promises to pray for Him to come to them after He departs.
That he may abide with you for ever . . . not just for a day, or week or year or as long as they live . . . but FOR EVER! (2 Jn.1:2).
John 14:17 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. (KJV)
Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive . . . this explains Who is meant by the Comforter, "even the Spirit of truth" . . . the TRUE Spirit of God, the dictator of the Scriptures of Truth, Who leads men into the Truths of the Gospel, confirms them in them, and gives boldness and freedom to own these Truths, and boldly confess them before men.
Whom the world cannot receive . . . people of the world, who are as they came into the world, carnal and natural men, CANNOT receive the Holy Spirit or any of the things of the Spirit. The Truths and doctrines of the Gospel can neither be received by them, understood by them, neither can they have affections for them . . . because they do not love them, but despise and hate them.
Because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him . . . worldly people cannot SEE the Holy Spirit with their physical eyes because He is a "Spirit" nor can the know Him with their worldly minds, because He is the "Spirit of truth" of which they are ignorant, for they have NO spiritual discernment which comes only from faith in Christ Jesus.
But ye know him . . . all TRUE believers know Him as a spirit of illumination, regeneration, and conversion.
For he dwelleth with you . . . the Holy Spirit is a permanent resident in the hearts of all TRUE believers! He makes His home in them as His temples (1 Cor.6:19).
And shall be in you . . . our Lord still comforts the apostles, telling them the Holy Spirit will acts as a Comforter, when He was gone from them. He would be as a Spirit of Truth to guide them into all Truth, to stand by them, and assist them in preaching and teaching, and to enable them to bear a faithful and glorious testimony for it.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (KJV)
I will not leave you comfortless . . . here, Christ stands firm in the relationship of a Father to His people. They are His children, His spiritual seed and offspring. Since the apostles might fear after Jesus left them, they would be left as children without a father, in a desolate and comfortless condition. To help support them against these fears, Christ promises that He would not leave them alone, at least not for long.
I will come to you . . . and He did. On the third day He rose again from the dead and He appeared to them, which filled them with great joy.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (KJV)
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more . . . the people of the world then saw Him only with their physical eyes, which is all the sight they had of Him. It would not be long until they would be deprived of that. Soon, they would see Him no more . . . until the time that He shall come to judge the world . . . THEN every eye shall see Him (Rev.1:7).
But ye see me . . . the apostles will see Him after His resurrection, as they did. He appeared alive and spoke with them for forty days (Acts 1:3), after which He ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:9), and sat down at the right hand of God (Mk.16:19; Acts 7:55-56). The apostles saw Him by faith, crowned with glory and honor; and will see Him as He is when He comes a second time to take them to Himself in glory (1 Thes.4:13-18).
Because I live, ye shall believe also . . . Christ lives as God, as Man and as Mediator. As God, He lives the same life His Father does, having the same nature and possessing the same perfections . . . so He lives from everlasting to everlasting (Ps.41:13; 90:2; 103:17; 106:48). As Man, He lived first a private, then a public life, filled with callousness, criticism, cruelty, sorrows and sufferings, a life filled with acts of devotion and faithfulness to God, doing good to the bodies and souls of men. He lived in total obedience to the law of God, and in the end, endured the penalty of that law, in the place of His people. When He died, He rose again, and now as Man, He lives, and lives for evermore. As Mediator, He has His life from the Father, which depends upon Him. He makes intercession for His people, that His people "live also" meaning they live a spiritual life now; a life of grace and holiness from Christ; a life of faith in Him, and fellowship with Him, with the desire to live for His honor and glory; and in the hereafter shall live an eternal life of perfection and pleasure, with Father, Son and Holy Spirit for evermore. Because of this, between these two lives, the life of Christ and His people, there is a very close relationship; the one depends on and is secured by the other . . . "Because I live, ye shall live also" . . . the spiritual life of a TRUE believer is ONLY from Christ, and is maintained ONLY by Him. It is not really that they live, but instead . . . Christ lives in them, and therefore their life can never be lost.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (KJV)
At that day ye shall know . . . the things they should know.
That I am in my Father . . . in His bosom, in perfect union with Him, partaker of the exact same nature, perfections and glory with Him, and equal to Him. Many in today’s world, like those back then, do NOT believe this. So many cults, so many false teachers and false teachings! http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_1_false_teachers.1.htm
And you in me . . . TRUE believers are in union with Him as the branches in the Vine (Jn.15:1-5). They are loved by Him, chosen by Him, righteous because of Him, will one day rise by His power, and shall sit together in heavenly places with Him.
And I in you . . . TRUE believers have the Presence of Christ living within them because His Spirit dwells within each and every child of God (1 Cor.3:16-17; Rom.8:9).
John 14:21 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. (KJV)
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them . . . God’s children not only have the commandments of Jesus in the Bible; but also have them written on their heart by His Spirit and they obey them with the help His grace and strength.
He it is that loveth me . . . many profess to love Christ Jesus, but only the person that truly does love Him, obeys Him . . . because obedience of Christ's commands is evidence that a person loves Him . . . not only in word, but in deed and in truth (1 Jn.3:18).
He that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father . . . I think Jesus add this to encourage them (and us) to love and obey Him. It seems that the Father's love to such as love Christ and keep His commandments, reveal how pleased the Father is when we love and obey His Son. God the Father does not begin to love people when the love and obey His Son. God loves us, all of us. But when we love and obey His Son, I think His love for us deepens and increases.
And I will love him . . . the same thing must be understood here. Christ Jesus does not begin to love His people when they begin to love and obey Him. I think that their loving and obeying Him begins and comes from His love to them . . . an everlasting love, a love which passeth knowledge (Eph.3:19).
And will manifest myself to him . . . not in a visible way, or a physical form, as He did to His disciples after His resurrection; but in a spiritual way, as when He makes Himself known to His people through His Spirit (Jn.14:26; 15:26), and they see His beauty, His fullness, His grace, His righteousness, His power and His glory.
John 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? (KJV)
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot . . . this was Judas Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus, the same as Jude the apostle. It is said "not Iscariot" set him apart from the betrayer. His question . . .
Lord, how is it, that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not unto the world? . . . what do You mean? Why? What is the reason for it?
John 14:23 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. (KJV)
Jesus answered and said unto him . . . these following words are spoken, for the further confirmation and explanation of what was before said.
If a man love me, he will keep my words . . .by His "words" are meant His ordinances, His commandments (verse 21), which are observed by those who truly love Him.
And my Father will love him . . . anyone who loves and obeys Jesus, the Father will love. It means that God will manifest Himself to the soul as a Father and Friend; that Jesus will manifest Himself as a Saviour. Christians rejoice in the perfections of God and of Christ, and will delight to consider the glories of the Saviour. The sinner is one who has gone astray from God, and from whom God has withdrawn (Ps.58:3; Pro.27:10; Eze.14:11). He is alienated from God (Eph.2:12; 4:18; Isa. 1:4; Col.1:21). Being born again represents the reconciling of a soul to God by Christ Jesus (2 Cor.5:18; Col.1:21).
And we will come unto him . . . again, proof of several persons in the Godhead, of the trinity of Persons, the Son Who would soon go away, the Father, to Whom He was going, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Whom Jesus has promised to pray for. "We" each of the Persons "will come unto him" (the person loved by the Father) . . . not visibly, but spiritually, by their gracious and comforting Presence.
And make our abode with him . . . this is a symbolic expression implying that the Father, Who is a Spirit (Jn.4:24), Christ Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit would be evident, NOT in a temporary way, but that it would be the privilege of Christians to enjoy their spiritual Presence continually. The triune God would take up residence in the heart as their dwelling-place, as a temple fit for their residence (1 Cor.3:16; Jn.14:20; 2 Cor.6:16). This does not mean that there is any indwelling of the essence of God the Father in us, for God is actually present in all places in the same way (omnipresent). I think that this means that the Christian is under the influence of God the Father, that he rejoices in His Presence and enjoys the feelings of joy which God produces in a redeemed soul, and with which He is well pleased.
John 14:24 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. (KJV)
He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings . . . this speaks of external professors of Christ (hypocrites), who are in reality lack true love for Christ Jesus, even though they outwardly observe His ordinances and commands. These people profess to be “Christians” and say they love Jesus, but it is only done to be seen of men (Mat.6:1,5; 23:5). They really do not keep His sayings, and are part of the wicked world ruled by Satan (Rom.12:2; 1 Cor.2:12; Eph.2:2; 6:12; Jam.4:4; 2 Pet.1:4; 2:5; 1 Jn.2:15-16; 3:1; 4:1,3, 4,5; 5:5,19). These are hypocrites who have NO love or affection for our precious Lord Jesus. They do not pay Him or His sayings any regard. Their outward profession of being Christ’s disciples is deceitful and false.
And the word which you hear, is not mine, but the Father's which sent me . . . the word you hear is not mine as Man, but my Father’s word. It is not a plot of my own devising; it is not from Earth, but from Heaven.
John 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (KJV)
These things have I spoken unto you . . . the things Jesus has spoken, concerning His Father, and His Father's house, and the way to both . . . concerns His being in the Father, and the Father in Him, and also concerns keeping His commandments, and the tremendous advantages and benefits from doing so.
Being yet present with you . . . this is a strong hint that in a little time He would not be present with them; and that while He was present with them, He wanted to say as much as He could about such things, in a brief but full and concise manner, that they were able to bear; which could be of future use to them.
John 14:26 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. (KJV)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost . . . before spoken of in verse 16, for whom Christ promised to pray the Father that He might be given to them. The Holy Ghost would be as an "Advocate" (1 Jn.2:1), a supporter, One Who pleads and defends the cause of another. He would also be a "Comforter" to the apostles when the Lord Jesus departed, and to help them and us to live a life pleasing to God.
Whom the Father will send in my name . . . the mission of the Holy Spirit is here dispensed by the Father, but does not exclude of the Son, who is also said to send Him (Jn.15:26; 16:7). The immeasurable, immense and infinite Holy Spirit, is not inferior to the other two Persons of the Trinity. He Who is sent by Christ, and in His Name, is also the sender of Christ. This means that there is joint approval and total agreement of Father, Son, and Spirit, in this matter.
He shall teach you all things . . . the purpose and work of the Holy Spirit is to interpret, teach and explain all things which Christ had said to them. He would make the things which Christ had spoken to them more clear and easy to understand. He would instruct them in things necessary for the salvation of souls, so that they would better know and understand and could teach others.
And bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you . . . it is sure that some things that Jesus spoke to them was not completely understood, some things were lost because of inattention, some things slipped their minds or were forgotten by them. But, because the Holy Spirit would bring all things to their remembrance . . . explains how the evangelists, even though some years after the death of Christ, and at different times and places, and without consulting each other, were able to write of the life, actions, sayings and sermons of Christ, including even the smallest facts. The minds of men could not possibly accomplish this! It had to be done by the Spirit of Almighty God!
John 14:27 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. (KJV)
Peace I leave with you . . . Christ Jesus would soon die and leave His beloved apostles. What a last will and testament He leaves them! What better inheritance could possibly leave them? He bestows peace unto them . . . and all those who belong to Him.
My peace I give unto you . . . He left the Gospel of peace with them, to be preached by them to all the world, which is a declaration of peace made by His precious Blood, and is a means of reconciling the minds of men to God and Christ. His peace relieves distressed and fearful minds. This is the tremendous and wonderful peace that comes to the heart of those who are fully yielded to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the peace of heart and mind of those who are in the will of God.
Not as the world giveth, give I you . . . the peace Christ gives is true, abundant and substantial. The peace the world is a false one, while they cry, "peace, peace" but sudden destruction is at hand (Jer.6:14; 8:11; 1 Thes.5:3). The peace of the world is at best temporal and external, but the peace of Christ Jesus is eternal and internal. The peace the world is unstable, and short lived one, but the peace of Christ is lasting and durable. The peace of the world will not comfort when troubles come, but the peace of Christ Jesus joyfully carries His people through all the difficulties of this life.
Let not your heart be troubled . . . when I am gone, because I leave a wondrous peace with you.
Neither let it be afraid . . . your heart need not fear at the dangers you may be exposed unto, and the trouble that may come your way, for in the midst of them all, "in me ye shall have peace" (Jn.16:33).
John 14:28 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. (KJV)
Ye have heard how I said unto you . . . Christ Jesus not only told His apostles that He would depart from them in a little time, but also that He would return again to them, and comfort them with His Presence, and receive them to Himself, to be with Him in His Father's house for ever. Now He says . . .
I go away, and come again unto you . . . with these words, they did not have as much reason to be troubled and afraid,. Before, He had only said that He would go away, with nothing about His coming again. Christ now assures them that they would see him again, which brought great comfort and joy to them.
If ye loved me, ye would rejoice . . . it is not that the disciples did not truly love Christ, their concern for the loss of His physical Presence is proof of that. Their love to Him was very much known to Him. He is not calling that in question. Because they loved Him, they were unwilling to part with Him. This was not a pure love to Him, it showed selfishness, because His "departing" would mean good things in the future. He said they should “rejoice” and now gives the reasons.
Because, I said, I go unto the Father . . . He would be going to the Father, at whose right hand He was to sit, an honor that NO mere man ever had or ever shall. Jesus' going to the Father was an exceptional privilege, where He was to be glorified and exalted above all created beings, and besides, His glorification would secure and bring about theirs one day. Just as Jesus lived in glory, so would they one day.
For my Father is greater than I . . . not meaning the divine nature, which is common to them both, for the Son is equal to the Father, having the same essence, perfections, and glory: not meaning the personality, for the Son too is equally a divine Person, just as the Father is, even though the One is usually called the first, the other the second Person. This priority is not of nature or time, because the One did not exist before the other (Jn.1:1-2).
John 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. (KJV)
This is powerful proof of Jesus’ true and proper deity! There is NO man that can foretell the future. NO one except the TRUE and omniscient God can tell of things that will happen BEFORE they come to pass . . . NO one! BEWARE!!! So called “fortune tellers” are of the devil. (Isa.41:22-23; 45;21; 46:9-10). Please do NOT fall for Satan’s lies!
That when it is come to pass, ye might believe . . . our Lord told them that after He was gone, and had gone to His Father, they might then believe what He had said, and believe that He was truly God, the Son of God, the promised Messiah; and that He was then in glory, and at the right hand of God.
John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (KJV)
Hereafter I will not talk much with you . . . meaning before His death . . . because after His resurrection He talked much with them, about the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. He was seen of them and spoke with them, for forty days (Acts 1:3).
For the prince of this world cometh . . . He means the devil (Jn.12:31). The reason why Jesus chooses to use this phrase, rather than to say Satan or the devil, is to point out what a powerful adversary He had, and was about to engage with, and too, and partly to warn His apostles of what they must expect from the world. Hatred and persecution would set in big time, Satan was the prince of it, and had an extremely powerful influence over the minds of the people. When Jesus said that he cometh, He meant Satan’s coming to bring havoc on Himself. The devil had already entered into Judas’ heart to betray Christ, and the armed soldiers, who would accompany Judas to capture Him; the chief priests, rulers, and people of the Jews, who all with united voices would cry, Crucify Him, Crucify Him (Lk.23:21).
And hath nothing in me . . . Satan cannot rightly find fault, for he can find NO wrong in Christ to give him any advantage against Him. Jesus would die an innocent person (Jn.18:38; 19:4). He would be cut off, but not for himself, as it was prophesied of the Messiah (Dan.9:26), but to finish transgression, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness (Dan.9:24).
John 14:31 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. (KJV)
But that the world may know . . .Jesus now speaks again of the world, but here, He does not mean the wicked and unbelieving world, but the world of God's elect, those who believe in Christ.
That I love the Father . . . Jesus’ love and virtue had been questioned. He was tempted in all points just like as we are, yet without sin (Heb.4:15). He passed through the most severe forms of temptation (Mat.4:1-11), proving that His holiness was proof to any and all trials, and that His human nature would be so absolutely pure as to resist ALL forms of temptation. This will one day be the case with all the saints in Heaven. The Father is spoken of as loving the Son (Jn.3:35; 10:17; 15:9; 17:23-26).
And as the Father gave me commandment, so I do . . .
as a son is obedient to a father, so was Christ in all things obedient to the commands of His heavenly Father, in preaching the Gospel, obeying the law, and suffering death . . . all which He did and suffered, as the Father gave commandment to Him, as Man and Mediator. This reveals just how much He loved His Father, and agreed with Him in all His plans of grace, and how much His will was resigned to the Father's will.
Arise, let us go hence . . . commentators disagree on this phrase. Some say it is the same as (Mat.26:30; Mk.14:26). IF this is true, then chapter 14 was spoken before leaving the supper room, and chapters 15-17 was spoken on the road to the garden. Some say this was to leave Bethany, where He and His disciples now were, in order to go to Jerusalem and keep the Passover, institute the supper, surrender Himself into the hands of His enemies, and die for the sins of His people . . . for between this and the sermon in the following chapters, the Lord's supper was celebrated.
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