John 14
John 14 is part of “Book of Glory: Farewell Discourse” (13–17) in the outline of John.
John 14 summary
This chapter is a continuation of Christ's discourse with his disciples after supper. When he had convicted and discarded Judas, he set himself to comfort the rest, who were full of sorrow upon what he had said of leaving them, and a great many good words and comfortable words he here speaks to them. The discourse in interlocutory; as Peter in the foregoing chapter, so Thomas, and Philip, and Jude, in this interposed their thoughts upon what he said, according to the liberty he was pleased to allow them. Free conferences are as instructive as solemn speeches, and more so.
Read the full introduction
This chapter is a continuation of Christ's discourse with his disciples after supper. When he had convicted and discarded Judas, he set himself to comfort the rest, who were full of sorrow upon what he had said of leaving them, and a great many good words and comfortable words he here speaks to them. The discourse in interlocutory; as Peter in the foregoing chapter, so Thomas, and Philip, and Jude, in this interposed their thoughts upon what he said, according to the liberty he was pleased to allow them. Free conferences are as instructive as solemn speeches, and more so. The general scope of this chapter is in the first verse; it is designed to keep trouble from their hearts; now in order to this they must believe: and let them consider, I. Heaven as their everlasting rest (Joh 14:2, Joh 14:3). II. Christ himself as their way (Joh 14:4-11). III. The great power they shall be clothed with by the prevalency of their prayers (Joh 14:12-14). IV. The coming of another comforter (Joh 14:15-17). V. The fellowship and communion that should be between him and them after his departure (Joh 14:18-24). VI. The instructions which the Holy Ghost should give them (Joh 14:25, Joh 14:26). VII. The peace Christ bequeathed to them (Joh 14:27). VII. Christ's own cheerfulness in his departure (Joh 14:28-31). And this which he said to them is designed for the comfort of all his faithful followers.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in John 14
John 14 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye beleeue in God, beleeue also in me. 2In my Fathers house are many dwelling places: if it were not so, I would haue tolde you: I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go to prepare a place for you, I wil come againe, and receiue you vnto my selfe, that where I am, there may ye be also. 4And whither I go, ye know, and the way ye knowe. 5Thomas sayd vnto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest: how can we then know ye way? 6Iesus sayd vnto him, I am that Way, and that Trueth, and that Life. No man commeth vnto the Father, but by me. 7If ye had knowen mee, ye should haue knowen my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and haue seene him. 8Philippe sayd vnto him, Lord, shewe vs thy Father, and it sufficeth vs. 9Iesus sayd vnto him, I haue bene so long time with you, and hast thou not knowen mee, Philippe? he that hath seene me, hath seene my Father: how then sayest thou, Shewe vs thy Father? 10Beleeuest thou not, that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The wordes that I speake vnto you, I speake not of my selfe: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the workes. 11Beleeue me, that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me: at the least, beleeue me for the very workes sake. 12Verely, verely I say vnto you, he that beleeueth in me, the workes that I doe, hee shall doe also, and greater then these shall he doe: for I goe vnto my Father. 13And whatsoeuer ye aske in my Name, that will I doe, that the Father may be glorified in the Sonne. 14If ye shall aske any thing in my Name, I will doe it.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
15If ye loue me, keepe my comandements, 16And I wil pray the Father, and he shall giue you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for euer, 17Euen the Spirit of trueth, whome the world can not receiue, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye knowe him: for he dwelleth with you, and shalbe in you. 18I will not leaue you fatherles: but I will come to you. 19Yet a litle while, and the world shall see me no more, but ye shall see me: because I liue, ye shall liue also. 20At that day shall ye knowe that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21He that hath my commandements, and keepeth them, is he that loueth me: and he that loueth me, shall be loued of my Father: and I will loue him, and wil shewe mine owne selfe to him. 22Iudas sayd vnto him (not Iscariot) Lord, what is the cause that thou wilt shewe thy selfe vnto vs, and not vnto the world? 23Iesus answered, and sayd vnto him, If any man loue me, he will keepe my worde, and my Father will loue him, and we wil come vnto him, and wil dwell with him. 24He that loueth me not, keepeth not my wordes, and the worde which ye heare, is not mine, but the Fathers which sent me.
Peace I Leave with You
25These things haue I spoken vnto you, being present with you. 26But the Comforter, which is the holy Ghost, whom the Father wil send in my Name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, which I haue tolde you. 27Peace I leaue with you: my peace I giue vnto you: not as the worlde giueth, giue I vnto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor feare. 28Ye haue heard howe I saide vnto you, I goe away, and will come vnto you. If ye loued me, ye would verely reioyce, because I said, I goe vnto the Father: for the Father is greater then I. 29And nowe haue I spoken vnto you, before it come, that when it is come to passe, ye might beleeue. 30Hereafter will I not speake many things vnto you: for the prince of this world commeth, and hath nought in me. 31But it is that the world may knowe that I loue my Father: and as the Father hath commanded me, so I doe. Arise, let vs goe hence.