John 14 - Jesus Promises The Holy Spirit
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Jesus knew that the disciples hearts were troubled after what He had just said about Peter, and He wanted to comfort them. "He tells them not to let their hearts (souls), be troubled." (Trust in God, and trust in Me also). He was leading up to what would happen after His crucifixion. (Ephesians 1:12-13, 3:14-17, 1 John 2:23-24). Because of what Christ would do, all those who heard the Good News about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were marked as belonging to Christ by the Hole Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that seals all those promises.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Plenty of room in My Father's house. I will go and prepare a place for you. This word "mansions" in the Greek is "mone" (mon-ay'), residence (the act or place): abode. Meaning to dwell within us. (2 Corinthians 5:1, Revelation 3:12). When this earthly body is gone, we will have our spiritual body for eternity. (1 Corinthians 15:46-48). The natural body comes first, the spiritual comes later. (For now, in this flesh body, Christ will dwell in our hearts through the Holy Spirit).
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. When everything is ready, I will come again and receive you. This word "receive" in the Greek is "paralambano" to receive, that is to "associate with, or to have a relationship with you," so that you will always be with Me. (John 12:26).
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Christ is telling them "you know the way to where I am going." (The way to eternal life). You should know it, it is written: (John 3:16-17, John 3:36, John 6:40). It is the Heavenly Father's will that all who "see" His Son and "believe" in Him should have eternal life. "Jesus Christ will raise them up in the last day." The key words here are "see" and "believe." Do you have the eyes to "see" the truth? Do you "believe" in the one true Christ?
Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Thomas tells Jesus, "we have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (Thomas didn't get it, but at least he was honest about it).
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus couldn't make it any clearer than this statement: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father except through Me." (Christ shows us the way through example). "He gives us the truth through the Word of God." (He gives us eternal life because He defeated death at the crucifixion).
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. If you had really known Me, you know who My Father is. Now you will know Him and have seen Him. This word "known" in the Greek is "ginosko" to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of, to perceive. i.e. (You can know someone without really knowing about them). You would think these disciples really "know" Jesus after spending so much time with Him, but because they didn't quite understand the relationship between Jesus and the Father, they really didn't "know" Him as well as they should.
Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Phillip still wanted a little more proof. He say to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." (Phillip still didn't get it). Still blind to full understanding.
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Jesus tells Philip, "I have been with you all this time, and yet you still do not know who I am?" Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. So, why are you asking Me to show Him to you? These guys seen it and could not believe it. How much more is the Heavenly Father going to love and reward you for believing without seeing.
Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Jesus goes on to ask Phillip, "Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?" The words I speak are not My own, but My Father who lives in Me does His work through Me. Just as Father works through us using the Holy Spirit as our guide. Have you ever shared a truth with someone and the right words just seemed to come out, so that the person understood exactly what you were saying. This is the "Holy Spirit" working through you.
Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. At least believe because of the works (miracles), you have seen Me do. (Jesus is addressing all the disciples here).
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Here is another truth Jesus wants us all to know. Anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. First off, how could the disciples, or us today, do greater works than Jesus? Especially when He was going to be with the Father. We need to go forward a few chapters to John 16, where it says: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7). The key here is that He sends the "Holy Spirit" to help the disciples as well as us. Now with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are greater in number. Just look at the formats we have today to spread His Word. Radio, television, book publications, the internet etc. Jesus said it Himself in the book of Acts. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8). The disciples as well as us today, have power to be His witnesses and to preach The Good News with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ask anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. John would better explain this in (1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:14). If you please God and keep His commandments, He will please you. We can be sure that God will listen to us whenever we ask for anything in line with His will. (Ask for things of the spirit, or wisdom to help you in teaching His Word). "God loves that more than anything else."
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. Again, ask for anything in My name, and I will do it! (Remember to ask in Jesus name, that is the key here).
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. The condition is, that if you love Jesus, you will keep His commandments. (1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 5:3). Loving God means doing what He tells us to do. His commandments are the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Never let anyone put you in bondage with their rules, regulations, and traditions of men.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Jesus gives us the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit (Comforter), who will never leave us. The "Holy Spirit" another part (or office) of Christ. (1 John 2:1). John was telling us this so we would stay away from sin. But if we sin, we have someone to plead for our sins which is Jesus Christ. All of us will sin at times in these flesh bodies, and we must repent.
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. It is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world in general (non-believers), cannot receive Him, because it is not looking for Him, and they do not recognize Him. Now Jesus goes on to say to the disciples, "You know Him because He lives with you now and later will be in you." He was speaking of Himself and His office of the "Holy Spirit." The "Trinity of God if you will." (We have the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit), the full God head. "This Spirit of truth would be poured out on Pentecost Day." (1 John 2:27). When you dwell in the light which is Christ, the Holy Spirit will teach you all things when it comes to discerning truth. Don't listen to any man or woman who is contrary to God's Word.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Jesus will come to us and live in us as the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5). Except and obey Christ; be satisfied with what He has given you, and He will always be with you.
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. Soon the world will not see Me. The crucifixion was very near. From the moment the Lord was taken down from the cross and entombed, He disappeared from the eyes of the world. (Acts 10:40-41). The Heavenly Father bringing Him back to life again and showed Him to certain people. (God only showed Him to certain witnesses He had chosen before).
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. After being raised to life again, Jesus was in the Father, and we are in Him, and He is in us. (Jesus is showing the closeness that we can have with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as believers).
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Here is the condition Jesus would explain. Those who accept His commandments and obey them are the ones who love Him. Because they love Jesus, the Heavenly Father will love them. (Jesus loves us for this, and will reveal Himself to each of us).
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? One of the disciples named Judas (not Judas Iscariot), asked Jesus, Lord, why are you going to reveal Yourself only to us and not the world at large?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Jesus replies, "All who love Me will do as I say." My Father will love them, and we will come and make Our home with each of them. "This gives us an advantage in this world." (1 John 4:4). We have the victory because God is greater than the world, Satan, or any evil teachers in this wicked world.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. Anyone who does not love Jesus will not obey Him. This comes straight from the Heavenly Father.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. I am telling you these things while I am still with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. But, when the Father sends the Comforter (Holy Spirit), as a representative, He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. The office of the "Holy Spirit." (Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, 12:36, 13:11, Luke 2:26, 3:22, Acts 1:16, 5:3, 5:32).
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Jesus would leave us at this time with a special gift. The gift of "peace of mind" that the world cannot give. Christ is "The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6). So, He is telling us not to be troubled or afraid. (John 14:1). "No need to fear when Christ is on your side."
Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. I told you before that I must leave and go to the Father. But, I will come back to you again. If you really love Me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. i.e. The Lord was not inferior as to His essential being, but as to His office, as sent by the Father. (1 Corinthians 15:27, Philippians 2:9-11).
Joh 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. I have told you these things before they even happen, so that when they do happen, you will believe. Warning us even about the end times when false messiahs and prophets will rise. (Matthew 24:24-25).
Joh 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. I don't have much more time to talk to you, Jesus tells the disciples. Because the ruler of this world approaches, but he has no power over Me. Who is the ruler of this world? Satan! Christ broke the power of death which is Satan. (2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14).
Joh 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. I will do what the Father requires of Me, so the world will know I love the Father. This was the end of the "Last Supper," and Jesus leaves the room as the disciples follow.
Keep the faith,
Barton