LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED - The disciples had been greatly distressed at what Jesus had said about leaving them. Compare John 16:6, John 16:22. Perhaps they had indicated their distress to him in some manner by their countenance or their expressions, and he proceeds new to administer to them su... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE - Most interpreters understand this of heaven, as the special dwelling-place or palace of God; but it may include the universe, as the abode of the omnipresent God. ARE MANY MANSIONS - The word rendered “mansions” means either the act of dwelling in any place (John 14:23, “we wi... [ Continue Reading ]
WHITHER I GO YE KNOW - He had so often told them that he was to die, and rise, and ascend to heaven, that they could not but understand it, Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22; Luke 18:31. THE WAY YE KNOW - That is, the way that leads to the dwelling-place to which he was going. The way which they were to tre... [ Continue Reading ]
WE KNOW NOT WHITHER THOU GOEST - Though Jesus had so often told them of his approaching death and resurrection, yet it seems they did not understand him, nor did they fully comprehend him until after his resurrection. See Luke 24:21. They entertained the common notions of a temporal kingdom; they su... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE WAY - See Isaiah 35:8. By this is meant, doubtless, that they and all others were to have access to God only by obeying the instructions, imitating the example, and depending on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the leader in the road, the guide to the wandering, the teacher of th... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE HAD KNOWN ME - By this Jesus does not intend to say that they were not truly his disciples, but that they had not a full and accurate knowledge of his character and designs. They still retained, to a large extent, the Jewish notions respecting a temporal Messiah, and did not fully understand t... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, SHOW US THE FATHER - Philip here referred to some outward and visible manifestation of God. God had manifested himself in various ways to the prophets and saints of old, and Philip affirmed that if some such manifestation should be made to them they would be satisfied. It was right to desire e... [ Continue Reading ]
SO LONG TIME - For more than three years Jesus had been with them. He had raised the dead, cast out devils, healed the sick, done those things which no one could have done who had not come from God. In that time they had had full opportunity to learn his character and his mission from God. Nor was i... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM IN THE FATHER - See the notes at John 10:38. THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK ... - See the notes at John 7:16. THE FATHER THAT DWELLETH IN ME - Literally, “The Father remaining in me.” This denotes most intimate union, so that the works which Jesus did might be said to be done by the Father. It implie... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVE ME ... - Believe my declarations that I am in the Father, etc. There were two grounds on which they might believe; one was his own testimony, the other was his works. OR ELSE - If credit is not given to my words, let there be to my miracles. FOR THE VERY WORKS’ SAKE - On account of the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME - This promise had doubtless special reference to the apostles themselves. They were full of grief at his departure, and Jesus, in order to console them, directed them to the great honor which was to be conferred on them, and to the assurance that God would not leave them, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK - This promise referred particularly to the apostles in their work of spreading the gospel; it is, however, true of all Christians, if what they ask is in faith, and according to the will of God, James 1:6; 1 John 5:14. IN MY NAME - This is equivalent to saying on my account,... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE LOVE ME - Do not show your love by grief at my departure merely; or by profession, but by obedience. KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS - This is the only proper evidence of love to Jesus, for mere profession is no proof of love; but that love for him which leads us to do all his will, to love each other,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PRAY THE FATHER - This refers to his intercession after his death and ascension to heaven, for this prayer was to be connected with their keeping his commandments. In what way he makes intercession in heaven for his people we do not know. The fact, however, is clearly made known, Romans 8:34;... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH - He is thus called here because he would teach them the truth, or would guide them into all truth, John 16:13. He would keep them from all error, and teach them the truth, which, either by writing or preaching, they were to communicate to others. THE WORLD - The term world is of... [ Continue Reading ]
COMFORTLESS - Greek, “orphans.” Jesus here addresses them as children, John 13:33. He says that he would show them the kindness of a parent, and, though he was going away, he would provide for their future welfare. And even while he was absent, yet they would sustain to him still the relation of chi... [ Continue Reading ]
A LITTLE WHILE - This was the day before his death. SEETH ME NO MORE - No more until the day of judgment. The men of the world would not see him visibly, and they had not the eye of faith to discern him. BUT YE SEE ME - Ye shall continue to see me by faith, even when the world cannot. You will con... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THAT DAY - In the time when my life shall be fully manifested to you, and you shall receive the assurance that I live. This refers to the time after his resurrection, and to the manifestations which in various ways he would make that he was alive. THAT I AM IN MY “FATHER ... - That we are most i... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH ... - This intimate union is further manifested by these facts: * That true love to Jesus will produce obedience. See John 14:15. * That those who love him will be loved of the Father, showing that there is a union between the Father and the Son. * That Jesus also will love them,... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDAS SAITH UNTO HIM - This was the same as Lebbeus or Thaddeus. See Matthew 10:3. He was the brother of James, and the author of the Epistle of Jude. HOW IS IT ... - Probably Judas thought that he spake only of his resurrection, and he did not readily see how it could be that he could show himself... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL KEEP MY WORDS - See John 14:15. WE WILL COME TO HIM - We will come to him with the manifestation of pardon, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Spirit. It means that God will manifest himself to the soul as a Father and Friend; that Jesus will manifest himself as a Saviour; that is, that t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD WHICH YE HEAR IS NOT MINE - See the notes at John 5:19; John 7:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE I SPOKEN - For your consolation and guidance. But, though he had said so many things to console them, yet the Spirit would be given also as their Comforter and Guide.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL SEND IN MY NAME - On my account. To perfect my work. To execute it as I would in applying it to the hearts of men. See John 14:13. SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS - All things which it was needful for them to understand in the apostolic office, and particularly those things which they were not prep... [ Continue Reading ]
PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU - This was a common form of benediction among the Jews. See the notes at Matthew 10:13. It is the invocation of the blessings of peace and happiness. In this place it was, however, much more than a mere form or an empty wish. It came from Him who had power to make peace and to... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE HEARD ... - John 14:2. IF YE LOVED ME - The expression is not to be construed as if they had then no love to him, for they evidently had; but they had also low views of him as the Messiah; they had many Jewish prejudices, and they were slow to believe his plain and positive declarations. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE IT COME TO PASS - Before my death, resurrection, and ascension. YE MIGHT BELIEVE - You might be confirmed or strengthened in faith by the evidence which I gave that I came from God - the power of foretelling future events.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL NOT TALK MUCH - The time of my death draws near. It occurred the next day. THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD - See the notes at John 12:31. COMETH - Satan is represented as approaching him to try him in his sufferings, and it is commonly supposed that no small part of the pain endured in the garden of... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT I LOVE THE FATHER - That it might not be alleged that his virtue had not been subjected to trial. It was subjected. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, Hebrews 4:15. He passed through the severest forms of temptation, that it might be seen and k... [ Continue Reading ]