John Chapter 14

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 'You heard me say to you, I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here."

Explanation for verses 14:1; 14:2-3; 14:6; 14:7; 14:15-31; 14:17; 14:18-19; 14:26; 14:27; 14:30 from The MacArthur Study Bible, pages 1571-1572.


"14:1 Instead of the disciples lending support to Jesus in the hours before his cross, he had to support them spiritually as well as emotionally; This reveals his heart of serving love (cf Matt. 20:26-28). troubled. Faith in him can stop the heart from being agitated. See not on John 12:27."

"14:2-3 I go to prepare. His departure would be for their advantage since he was going away to prepare a heavenly home for them and will return to take them so that they may be with him. This is one of the passages that refers to the rapture of the saints at the end of the age when Christ returns. The features in this description do not describe Christ coming to earth with his saints to establish his kingdom (Rev. 19:11-15), but taking believers from earth to live in heaven. Since no judgment on the unsaved is described here, this is not the event of his return in glory and power to destroy the wicked (cf. Matt 13:36-43, 47-50). Rather, this describes his coming to gather his own who are alive and raise the bodies of those who have died to take them all to heaven. This rapture event is also described in 1 Cor. 15:51-54 and 1 Thes. 4:13-18. After being raptured, the church will celebrate the marriage supper (Rev. 19:7-10), be rewarded (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:9-10). and later return to earth with Christ when he comes again to set up his kingdom (Rev. 19:11-20:6)."

14:6 This is the sixth "I am" statement of Jesus in John (see 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 15:1, 5). In response to Thomas's query (14:4), Jesus declared that he is the way to God because he is the truth of God (1:14) and the life of God (1:4; 3:15; 11:25). In this verse, the exclusiveness of Jesus as the only approach to the Father is emphatic. Only one way, not many ways exist to God, i.e., Jesus Christ (10:7-9; cf. Matt. 7:13-14; Luke 13:24; Acts 4:12)."

"14:7-11 From now on you do know him. They know God because they had come to know Christ in his ministry and soon in his death and resurrection. To know him is to know God. This constant emphasis on Jesus as God incarnate is unmistakably clear in this Gospel (v. 11; 1:1-3, 14, 17, 18; 5:10-23, 26; 8:58; 9:35; 10:30, 38; 12:41; 17:1-5, 20:28)."

"14:15-31 In these verses, Jesus promises believers comfort from five supernatural blessings that the world does not enjoy: 1) a supernatural Helper (vv. 15-17); 2) a supernatural life (vv. 18-19); 3) a supernatural union (vv. 20-25), 4) a supernatural teacher (v. 26); and 5) a supernatural peace (vv. 27-31). The key to al of this is v. 15, which relates that these supernatural promises are for those who love Jesus Christ, whose love is evidenced by obedience."

"14:17 Spirit of truth. He is the Spirit of truth in that he is the source of truth and communicates the truth to his own (v. 26; 16:12-15). Apart from him, people cannot know God's truth (1Cor. 2:12-16; 1 John 2:20, 27). dwells with you and will be in you. This indicates some distinction between the ministry of the Holy Spirit to believers before and after Pentecost. While clearly the Holy Spirit has been with all who have ever believed thoroughout redemptive history as the source of truth, faith, and life, Jesus is saying something new is coming in his ministry. John 7:37-39 indicates this unique ministry would be like "rivers of living water" Acts 19:1-7 introduces some Old Covenant believers who had not received the Holy Spirit in this unique fullness and intimacy. (Cf. Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 12:11-13."

"14:18-19 I will come to you. . .you will see me. First, he was referring to his resurrection, after which they would see him (20:19-29). There is no record that any unbelievers saw him after he rose (see 1 Cor. 15:1-9). In another sense, this has reference to the mystery of the Trinity. Through the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus would be back with his children (John 16:16; cf. Matt. 28:20; Rom. 8:9; 1 John 4:13)."

"14:26 will teach you all things. The Holy Spirit energized the hearts and minds of the apostles in their ministry, helping them to produce the NT Scripture. The disciples had failed to understand many things about Jesus and what he taught; but because of this supernatural work, they came to an inerrant and accurate understanding of the Lord and his work, and recorded it in the Gospels and the rest of the NT Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. :20-21). See note on John 16:7."

14:27 Peace I leave . . . Not as the world gives. The word "peace" reflects the Hebrew "Shalom," which became a greeting to his disciples after the resurrection (20:19-26). At the individual level this peace, unknown to the unsaved, secures composure in difficult trouble (cf. 14:1), dissolves fear (Phil 4:7), and rules in the hearts of God's people to maintain harmony (Col. 3:15). The greatest reality of this peace will be in the messianic kingdom (Num. 6:26; Ps. 29:11; Isa. 9:6-7; 52:7; 54:13; 57:19; Ezek. 37:26; Hag. 2:9; cf. Acts 10:36; Rom. 1:7; 5:1; 14:7)."

14:30 the ruler of this world. Judas was only a tool of the "prince" who rules the system of darkness--Satan (6:70; 13:21, 27). no claim on me. The Hebrew idiom means that Satan had nothing on Jesus, could make no claim on him, nor charge him with any sin. Therefore, Satan could not hold him in death. Christ would triumph and destroy Satan (Heb. 2:14). His death was no sign that Satan won, but that God's will was being done. (John 14:31)."

Let's pray: Dear Lord Jesus, Please give Your believers Your Peace and please show the unbelievers how they could have Your Peace if they want it. Thank You Lord. I say these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Book of John Chapter 13

 (A Little Note:  Hi All,  I have not been able to post regularly because my mom is very ill.  We had to put her into hospice.  Please pray for my mom and my family as we go through this journey.  Thanks much.)

"Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper.  He laid aside his outer garments and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"  Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand."  Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet."  Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!"  Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash except for his feet, but is completely clean.  And you are clean, but not every one of you."  For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "Not all of you are clean."

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.  I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen.  But the Scripture will be fulfilled, He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.  I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."  The disciples looked at one another uncertain of whom he spoke.  One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus, of whom he was speaking.  So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, "Lord, who is it?"  Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it."  So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.  Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.  Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."  Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.  Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.  So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out.  And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.  If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.  Little children, yet a little while I am with you.  You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you.  Where I am going you cannot come.  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?"  Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward."  Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you."  Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me?  Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times."  John 13, ESV

Explanation for verses John 13:1-17:16, John 13:4-5, John 13:10, John 13:23, John 13:27, John 13:31-33, John 13:34, John 13:36,  from The MacArthur Study Bible ESV, pages 1569-1570.

"13:1-17:16  in these remaining chapters before his crucifixion, the record looks at Jesus' devoting himself to his own disciples.  While chs. 1-12 center on the rejection of Jesus by the nation (cf. 1:11), chs. 13-17 center on those who did receive him (see 1:12).  Beginning in ch. 13, Jesus moved completely away from public ministry to private ministry with those who had received him.  Chapters 13-17 were spoken by Jesus as a farewell on the night of his betrayal and arrest to communicate his coming legacy to his followers (chs. 13-16) and pray for them (ch. 17).  The cross was only one day away."

"13:4-5  The dusty and dirty conditions of the region necessitated the need for footwashing.  Although the disciples most likely would have been happy to wash Jesus' feet, they could not conceive of washing one another's feet.  This was because in the society of the time, footwashing was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants.  Peers did not wash one another's feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love. Luke points out (22:24) that they were arguing about who was the greatest of them, so that none was willing to stoop to wash feet.  When Jesus moved to wash their feet, they were shocked. His actions serve also as symbolic of spiritual cleansing (John 13:6-9) and a model of Christian humility (vv. 12-17).  Through this action Jesus taught the lesson of selfless service that was supremely exemplified by his death on the cross."

"13:10 wash, except for his feet.  The cleansing that Christ does at salvation never needs to be repeated--atonement is complete at that point.  But all who have been cleansed by God's gracious justification need constant washing in the experiential sense as they battle sin in the flesh.  Believers are justified and granted imputed righteousness (Phil. 3:8-9), but still need sanctification and personal righteousness (Phil. 3:12-14)."

"13:11-12 Not all of you are clean.  This verse refers to Judas (6:70), who was soon to lead the mob to capture Jesus (18:3)."

"13:23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.  This is the first reference to John the apostle, the author the Gospel (see introduction: Author and Date).  He specifically mentioned himself at the cross (19:26-27), at the empty tomb (20:2-9), by the Sea of Tiberias (21:1,20-23), and in the next-to-last verse where he is referenced as the author of the Gospel (21:24)"

"13:27 Satan entered into him.  Judas was personally possessed by Satan himself in his betrayal of Jesus.  See note on v. 2."

":31-33 glorified.  With Judas gone, the final events were set in motion.  Rather than looking at the agony of the cross, Jesus looked past the cross anticipating the glory that he would have with the Father when it was over (see 17:4-5; Heb. 12:2)"

"13:34 A new commandment. . . as I have loved you.  The commandment to love was not new.  Deuteronomy 6:5 commanded love for God, and Lev. 19:18 commanded loving one's neighbor as oneself (cf. Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 13:8-10; Gal.5:14; James 2:8).  However, Jesus' command regarding love presented a distinctly new standard for two reasons: 1)it was sacrifical love modeled after his love ("as I have love you"; cf. John 15:13), and 2) it is  produced through the New Covenant by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jer. 31:29-34; Ezek. 36:24-26; Gal. 5:22)."

"13:36  you cannot follow.  His work was nearly finished; theirs was just beginning (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47.  Particularly, Peter had a work to do (see notes on John 21:15-19).  Only Jesus, as the sinless sacrifice for the trespasses of the world, could go to the cross and die (1 Pet. 2:22-24).  Also, only he could be glorified in the presence of the Father with the glory that he possessed before his incarnation (see John 12:41; 17:1-5)."

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus,  I sometimes don't know what to pray for.  I'm sure I am not the only one.  All I can say is thank You Lord for Your loving gift of salvation that even though we are sinners You still loved us enough to die for us. You conquered death!  Those who receive Your gift of salvation are saved and it is only because of Your death on the cross and then Your resurrection.  For someday our time will end on this earth and those who truly receive You will follow you to heaven and our forever with You is really all that matters for the world is not our home.   In Jesus' name. Amen.

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