Tyndale Open Study NotesJohn 14

Jesus provided answers to his disciples’ many spoken and unspoken concerns.

• Jesus felt troubled (Greek tarassō) on three occasions (11:33; 12:27; 13:21). His trust in God's power helped him confront these difficult times. When the disciples heard the upsetting words of 13:33, they felt the same way.

• believe (or trust, or have faith) in God: Only trusting God would help them through his hour of death.

In My Father’s house are many rooms: God's house is where he lives (Revelation 21:9–22:5). The Greek word for rooms comes from a verb meaning "remain, abide, dwell." Jesus promises his followers a place to live with him, wherever he is. Later, this house becomes a spiritual presence. Jesus makes his home in the hearts of his followers through the Holy Spirit (John 14:23). This means that believers carry God’s presence inside them.

Some scholars think that Jesus meant he would come and get his followers after the resurrection (14:18). Others think these words refer to the second coming of Jesus. For the disciples, the return of Jesus from the grave was more important (chapter 16).

• I am: See study note on 6:35. You can only access the Father through Jesus, who is the way and the truth and the life.

• The way to the Father is only through Jesus. Other religions and philosophies suggest different ways to God. But Jesus claimed he is the only way to God.

• Jesus is the truth because God is truth.

• God is the source of eternal life. At Lazarus’s tomb, Jesus demonstrated his divine power over life and death (11:25).

Philip did not yet understand that in Jesus he was seeing the full embodiment of God (14:9).

Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father: Compare 1:1–2. Jesus Christ is God in human body (1:14). This explains his ability to perform divine works. Jesus did not just teach about God, he is God. Jesus's remarkable statement here echoed what he said at the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah): “I and the Father are one” (10:30). This claim is the reason for the world's opposition to Christ (5:18).

Jesus made surprising and powerful claims about himself (10:30, 37–38). However, true faith recognizes the close union between Jesus and God the Father. To believe in Jesus is to trust that he truly reveals and represents the Father.

• Jesus promised that those who believe in him would do great works and pray with confidence (see 1 John 5:14). This would happen after Jesus returned to the Father, when he sent the Holy Spirit to give them strength and guidance (John 14:16).

• The greater things will not surpass what Jesus did. Instead, ordinary people will do these works because the Holy Spirit gives them power. God promised that in the era of the Spirit, he would bring his kingdom and power into the world in a new way.

If you love me: Because Jesus loves the Father, he is obedient to what God directs him to say and do (12:49). If we love him, we will obey him, too (14:21, 23; 15:10, 14; see 1 John 2:3–4; 5:2).

another Advocate: The Spirit continues the work of Jesus by advising, defending, and protecting believers.

the Spirit of truth: The Holy Spirit communicates the truth about God (see also 15:26; 16:13). The Spirit maintains the presence of Jesus in the world, continuing and supporting the work Jesus began.

Jesus had already assured his followers that they would not be spiritual orphans and that he would return to them (14:1–4). While he is away, they will be filled with the Spirit, who will sustain them with his presence (14:12–17).

The resurrection of Jesus began a new spiritual union with his disciples (14:19). This union is like the close relationship he has with the Father (see 15:4–5; 1 John 1:3).

• Several men named Judas appear in the New Testament. Judas, the brother of Jesus, wrote the letter of Jude (Mark 6:3). Luke 6:16 lists Judas, the son of James, as a disciple (John mentions this Judas in this verse). He is also known as Thaddaeus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18).

• Lord, why: Judas asked an important question. If Jesus planned to return powerfully from death, why not use the chance to show himself plainly to the world? Why not prove his power and identity?

• Jesus answered Judas's question. He said his coming would be a deep spiritual revelation that the world would not understand.

• The coming of Jesus would happen in three events:

  • his resurrection,

  • the arrival of the Holy Spirit, and

  • his second coming.

  When he comes through the Spirit, he and the Father will live within Christians, making a home with each of them (see study note on 14:2).

• Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit (see also 14:16; 15:26; 16:7, 12–14).

• The Holy Spirit … will teach you all things: The Holy Spirit will teach the disciples everything. He will help them remember the words of Jesus and understand what those words mean. John experienced this help from the Spirit as he wrote his gospel (2:22). Christians also experience this work of the Spirit as they hear and study the Scriptures.

The Jewish greeting peace (Hebrew shalom) shows the goal of the work of Jesus on earth: to restore humanity's relationship with God (Isaiah 9:6–7; 52:7; 57:19; Romans 5:1). The resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit helped complete this work (John 14:28).

The Father is greater than I am: See also 5:19–20. Jesus is submissive to the Father but is also one with the Father (10:30).

the prince of this world: Satan did not control the events in Jerusalem that led to the cross. The death of Jesus on the cross was not an accident, and Jesus was not a helpless victim. Instead, Jesus obeyed God's plan.