John 14:29

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. AND NOW I HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE IT COME TO PASS - referring to His departure to the Father, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to follow thereon, THAT, WHEN IT IS COME TO PASS, YE MIGHT BELIEVE - or have your faith immoveably established....

29._And I have told you now. _It was proper that the disciples should be frequently admonished on this point; for it was a secret far exceeding all human capacity. He testifies that he _foretells what shall happen_, _that_, _when it has happened_, _they may believe_; for it was a useful confirmation of their faith when they brought to recollection the predictions of Christ, and saw accomplished before their eyes what they had formerly heard from his mouth. Yet it appears to be a sort of concession, as if Christ had said, “Because you are not yet capable of comprehending so deep a mystery, I bear with you till the event has happened, which will serve as an interpreter to explain this doctrine.” Although for a time he seemed to speak to the deaf, yet it afterwards appeared that his words were not scattered in vain, or, as we may say, in the air, but that it was a seed thrown into the earth...

28-31 Christ raises the expectations of his disciples to something beyond what they thought was their greatest happiness. His time was now short, he therefore spake largely to them. When we come to be sick, and to die, we may not be capable of talking much to those about us; such good counsel as we have to give, let us give while in health. Observe the prospect Christ had of an approaching conflict, not only with men, but with the powers of darkness. Satan has something in us to perplex us with, for we have all sinned; but when he would disturb Christ, he found nothing sinful to help him. The best evidence of our love to the Father is, our doing as he has commanded us. Let us rejoice in the Saviour's victories over Satan the prince of this world. Let us copy the example of his love and obedience....

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 I have promised shall be the result may be confidently expected by you; and that your sorrow, if not entirely removed, may at least be much mitigated....

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....

EXPOSITION JOHN 14:1 It is not necessary to follow Codex D and some of the versions, and here introduce into the text καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ._ _It is enough that the awful warning to Peter, which followed the announcement of the treachery of Judas and his departure, the solemnity of the Lord, and the clear announcement of his approaching death, had fallen like a thunderbolt into their company. Judas held the bag, and was their treasurer, their ἐπίσκοπος_ _(see Hatch's 'Bampt. Lect.'), and a referee on all practical subjects and details. He had turned against the Lord; and now their spokesman, their rock of strength, their most prominent and their boldest brother, the senior of the group, and with one exception the disciple most beloved and trusted by the Master, was actually warned against the most deadly sin—nay, more, a course o

AND NOW I HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE IT CAME TO PASS,.... This is a strong proof of his true and proper deity, for none but the omniscient God can tell of things before they come to pass; this is peculiar to him, and distinguishes him from the gods of the Gentiles; see Isaiah 41:22; THAT WHEN IT IS COME TO PASS, YE MIGHT BELIEVE: that is, that when he was removed from them, and gone to his Father, they might then 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 14:1. _Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me._ Here is a troubled company of disciples, very much cast down, so their Divine Master, full of infinite tenderness, talks to them in this gentle manner, «Let not your heart be troubled.» He does not like to see them troubled; and when they are, he is troubled also. Our Lord here prescribes faith as the only remedy for heart trouble. If you, poor troubled soul, can believe, you will leave off fretting. Twice our Lord uses the word «believe.» He seems to say to his disciples, «Take another dose of faith; it will take away from you this faintness of heart from which you are suffering: ‘Ye believe in God, believe also in me.'» And then he seeks to make them forget their heart trouble by talking most sweetly to them about his Father, and his Father's dwelling-place. It is a great thing to divert the mind, when

CHAPTER 14 1. Let not Your Heart be Troubled! (John 14:1 .) 2. I Am in the Father and the Father in Me. (John 14:8 .) 3. The Other Comforter Promised. (John 14:15 .) 4. I Go unto the Father. (John 14:28 .) There is no break between these two Chapter s. The Lord continues His discourse to the eleven disciples. “Let not your heart be troubled!” What precious words of comfort! How many hearts have been soothed by them and how many tears they have dried! And after His loving words He said again: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ...

John 14:1 takes up the thoughts of the previous paragraph, not of the last verse. The thoughts of separation and treachery had led to perplexity, if not despair. Jesus bids them trust God and Himself. There is plenty of room in His Father's house (_cf._ Genesis 24:23; Genesis 24:25). John 14:2_ b may_ be interpreted in three ways: (_a_) Even if not He would have found room for them. To _you_ I would have said I go to prepare a place: this suits the context, but is forced, (_b)_ If not, I would have told you, for the whole object of going is to prepare a place for you. I could not have withheld the truth from you. This also is unna