John 14

The Gospel of John, chapter 14, is the opening portion of the farewell discourse (chapters 13–17) that Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper. In John 13, Jesus foretold Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial. Chapter 14 continues with words of comfort to the disciples, who were troubled by what they had heard.

Outline

• Verses 1–4: Jesus tells the disciples not to be troubled and promises to prepare a place for them in his Father's house and to come again to receive them.
• Verses 5–7: When Thomas asks about the way, Jesus answers that he is the way, the truth, and the life.
• Verses 8–11: When Philip asks him to show them the Father, Jesus says that whoever has seen him has seen the Father.
• Verses 12–14: Jesus says that those who believe will do even greater works and that he will do whatever they ask in his name.
• Verses 15–17: Jesus calls them to keep his commandments and promises another Comforter, the Spirit of truth.
• Verses 18–24: Jesus says he will not leave the disciples as orphans. Answering a question from Judas (not Iscariot), he says that he and the Father will come and make their abode with those who love him.
• Verses 25–26: Jesus says the Holy Spirit will teach them all things and bring all things to their remembrance.
• Verses 27–31: Jesus gives his peace and says, "my Father is greater than I." He states that the prince of this world is coming and closes with "Arise, let us go hence."

Key Verses

• John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" — one of the "I am" sayings and a key text for the confession that salvation comes through Christ.
• John 14:16: "he shall give you another Comforter" — the first verse in John's Gospel to introduce the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter" (one who stands alongside to help).
• John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you" — a promise of Christ's peace, which differs from the peace the world gives.

People and Places

• Jesus Christ
• Thomas — says they cannot know the way Jesus is going and asks how they can know it.
• Philip — asks Jesus to show them the Father.
• Judas (not Iscariot) — a disciple so designated to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. He is commonly identified with Thaddaeus.
• The Holy Spirit — introduced as the Comforter and the Spirit of truth. The Korean Revised Korean Version renders the term as bohyesa ("Comforter"), while the Korean Common Translation renders it as hyeopjoja ("Helper").
• No place is named in the text; the setting is the supper that continues from chapter 13.

Points to Consider

• Most Protestant denominations read verse 6 as a basis for the uniqueness of salvation through Christ, and the verse is frequently cited in debates over religious pluralism.
• Arianism cited verse 28 as evidence that the Son is inferior to the Father, and Jehovah's Witnesses cite it in a similar way. Churches that follow the Nicene Creed hold that the verse speaks of the condition of the incarnate Son or of the relationship between the Father and the Son, and they therefore interpret it as consistent with the Trinity.
• Pentecostal and charismatic traditions read the "greater works" of verse 12 as meaning that miraculous ministry continues; others read it as referring to the spread of the gospel throughout the world (see cessationism and continuationism).
• Some groups, such as Shincheonji, are reported to teach that the Comforter is a particular individual. Protestant denominations reject this teaching, pointing out that verse 26 identifies the Comforter as the Holy Spirit.
• Although Jesus says in verse 31 that they should leave, the discourse continues through chapters 15–17. Some interpret this to mean that Jesus continued speaking as they moved to another location, while others hold that it reflects the editorial history of the text.

In the Korean Church

• Verses 1–3 are frequently read at funeral services.
• Verses 13–14 and John 16:23–24 are commonly cited as the basis for the custom of closing prayers "in Jesus' name."