1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.
2In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
4You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?”
6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
8Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
9Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.
11Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves.
12Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.
15If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—
17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.
20On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.
21Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”
22Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, why are You going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?”
23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
24Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me.
25All this I have spoken to you while I am still with you.
26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
27Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
28You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
29And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.
30I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.
31But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up! Let us go on from here.
John 14 Verse Notes
John 14:1-3
Symbolism of Following and Dwelling
John's Gospel uses symbolic language and narrative episodes to convey its theology. In John 1, when John the Baptist's disciples follow Jesus and seek where he 'dwells,' this vocabulary foreshadows later teachings about celestial access. The act of 'coming and seeing' Jesus and 'dwelling' with him symbolizes the spiritual journey of believers to heavenly places and their communion with Jesus.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · What's the Point of John's Gospel? · watch the clip
John 14:2-3
The Soul in John 14: Dwelling Places for the Soul
The speaker, reflecting on his past Christian beliefs, notes that John 14, where Jesus speaks of preparing 'dwelling places' in his Father's house, was interpreted to mean that the soul, not the physical body, goes to heaven after death. This passage was understood to support the idea of a separable, immortal soul.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Do We Have a Soul? · watch the clip
John 14:2
Jesus's Incentives for Giving and Their Misinterpretation
Jesus incentivized giving by promising 'treasure in heaven,' which was meant to motivate people to act righteously. However, this incentive is often misunderstood as a promise of literal material wealth in the afterlife, leading to a materialistic view of heaven where individuals expect mansions and golf courses, rather than focusing on a perfect existence in God's presence.
Summarized by AI · Through the Eye of a Needle: Jesus's Teachings on Wealth and Their Modern Relevance · Lecture 8: Problematic Developments · watch the clip
John 14:6
Jesus' Divine Claims in the Gospel of John
The Gospel of John, written significantly later than the Synoptics, portrays Jesus making explicit claims of divinity. He repeatedly uses 'I am' statements, identifying himself as the 'bread of life,' 'light of the world,' 'resurrection and the life,' and 'the way, the truth, and the life.'
Summarized by AI · Paul and Jesus: The Great Divide · Lecture 1: Who Was Jesus According to Jesus? · watch the clip
John's 'I Am' sayings derive from Synoptic narratives
The 'I Am' sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John, such as 'I am the bread of life' or 'I am the way, the truth, and the life,' are not original to John but are reworkings of stories or events found in the Synoptic Gospels. John consistently draws on existing Synoptic material for these declarations, rather than inventing new ones.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Think the synoptic problem is 3 gospels? Think again · watch the clip
Exclusive Salvation Through Jesus
As an evangelical, the speaker firmly believed that salvation is exclusively through belief in Jesus, citing John 14:6. This presented emotional and intellectual challenges regarding the fate of those who never heard of Jesus or lived before him, with some insisting they would be eternally punished. This belief served as a strong motivation for evangelism.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · 5 Evangelical Truisms that Aren't True · watch the clip
Jesus as the Sole Path to God
Within the Christian tradition, prayer to Jesus is common, based on the belief that Jesus is the intermediary between humanity and God. This idea is supported by Jesus' own words in the Gospel of John, stating that no one comes to the Father except through him.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Does Altruism Actually Exist? · watch the clip
Exclusivity of Christian Truth
Unlike polytheistic religions where diverse beliefs and practices were tolerated, Christianity, from its inception, insisted on a single path to the divine. This monotheistic and exclusive approach, derived from Judaism's concept of one God but extended to a singular way of worship through Jesus, fostered internal conflict among early Christian groups, as each believed they possessed the sole truth.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · How Wild Can it Get? The Diversity of Early Christianity · watch the clip
John 14:9
Jesus Makes Divine Claims in John's Gospel
In the Gospel of John, Jesus himself makes direct claims of divinity. He asserts his pre-existence and uses the divine name 'I am' (Exodus 3:14) when he states, 'Before Abraham was, I am,' leading his Jewish opponents to attempt to stone him for blasphemy. He also claims unity with the Father and shared glory with God before creation.
Summarized by AI · Did Jesus Think He Was God? A Closer Look at the Evidence · Did Jesus Think He Was God? A Closer Look at the Evidence · watch the clip
Jesus' 'I Am' Statement and Claim to Divinity in John
In John 8:58, Jesus declares, 'Before Abraham was, I am,' echoing God's self-identification to Moses in Exodus 3. This statement, along with his assertion 'I and the Father are one' (John 10:30) and 'If you have seen me, you have seen the Father' (John 14:9), leads his Jewish opponents to accuse him of blasphemy and attempt to stone him, indicating they understood these as claims to divinity.
Summarized by AI · Paul and Jesus: The Great Divide · Lecture 1: Who Was Jesus According to Jesus? · watch the clip
Jesus' Self-Claim to Divinity in the Gospels
The Gospel of John presents Jesus explicitly claiming divinity with statements like 'I and the Father are one' and 'Before Abraham was, I am,' leading to accusations of blasphemy. In stark contrast, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the earlier gospels, never depict Jesus making such direct claims of being God. This significant difference suggests an evolution in the portrayal of Jesus' divine self-understanding across the gospel traditions.
Summarized by AI · The Bible and the Quran: Comparing Their Historical Problems · Lecture 3: The New Testament | How Much History, How Much Story? · watch the clip
John's Jesus explicitly declares his divinity
In stark contrast to the Synoptics, Jesus in John's Gospel frequently speaks about his own divinity. He makes statements such as 'Before Abraham was, I am' (referencing Exodus 3) and 'I and the Father are one,' leading Jewish leaders to accuse him of blasphemy and attempt to stone him. He also claims that 'Whoever has seen me has seen the Father' and speaks of the glory he shared with God before the world existed.
Summarized by AI · The Unknown Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John · Lecture 6: Embracing the Differences · watch the clip
Jesus' divine claims are unique to John's Gospel
Claims of Jesus explicitly stating his divinity, such as 'before Abraham was, I am' or 'I and the Father are one,' are found exclusively in the Gospel of John. The earlier Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, along with their sources and Paul's writings, do not record Jesus making such direct divine assertions.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Bart Fact Checks Apologist Wes Huff · watch the clip
Scribal Addition of 'Also' in John 14:9
In John 14:9, Jesus tells Philip, 'If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.' Some scribes added the word 'also' to this statement, making it 'you have also seen the Father.' This addition was likely intended to counter the theological view that Jesus was God the Father incarnate (modalism), instead emphasizing a distinction between the Father and the Son, aligning with Trinitarian doctrine.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · John's Rewritten Gospel: What Did Scribes Change? · watch the clip
Jesus' Divine Claims in John
In John, Jesus frequently makes explicit divine claims about himself, unlike in the Synoptics. Examples include stating 'Before Abraham was, I am' (John 8:58), using God's name from Exodus 3, and declaring 'I and the Father are one' (John 10:30). He also tells Philip, 'If you've seen me, you have seen the Father' (John 14:9), all of which assert his divinity.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · John the Maverick Gospel · watch the clip
Seeing Jesus as Seeing the Father in John 14
During his last meal with his disciples in John 14, Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus responds, 'If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.' This statement strongly implies Jesus's divine nature and his direct representation of God, a claim not found in the Synoptic Gospels. While not claiming to be identical to Yahweh, he asserts a profound unity and revelation of God through himself.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Did Jesus Actually Claim to be God? · watch the clip
John's Unique Portrayal of Jesus' Divinity
The Gospel of John uniquely presents Jesus as a divine being who descended from heaven, making bold claims about his divinity, such as being one with the Father and existing before Abraham. These specific divine claims are absent from the earlier Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and their sources, suggesting they were not part of Jesus' original teachings but rather later theological developments.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Did Jesus Predict his Own Death? · watch the clip
Alexander's View: Christ's Eternal and Equal Divinity
In contrast to Arius's view, Bishop Alexander of Alexandria argued that Christ was not a subordinate or created divine being. Citing passages like John 10:30 and John 14:9, Alexander maintained that Jesus was an eternal being, equal to God the Father in power and knowledge, and not subordinate in any way.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Where Did the Trinity Come From? · watch the clip
Complementary Christology in Mark and John
The inclusion of both Mark and John in the canon allowed for a balanced portrayal of Jesus' humanity and divinity. John emphasizes Jesus' divine nature with statements like 'I and the Father are one,' while Mark depicts Jesus' human emotions and struggles. Together, these Gospels support the orthodox doctrine of Jesus being both fully human and fully divine.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Why Are There Four Gospels? · watch the clip
John 14:13
Ineffectiveness of Prayer
The belief that prayer is always answered, or that God's answer might be 'no,' ultimately renders prayer ineffective as a means of influencing divine action. If God always does what is best, human prayers are unnecessary to inform or persuade Him, suggesting that prayer's perceived success is often attributable to coincidence or psychological factors.
Summarized by AI · Why I am Not a Christian: How Leaving the Faith Led to Life of More Meaning and Purpose · Lecture 3: The Traumas of Deconversion | Emotional, Social, and Eschatological (Think: Fears of Afterlife!) · watch the clip
John 14:14
God's Intervention and Answered Prayer
The instructor reflects on the traditional Christian belief in an active, intervening God who answers prayers, as depicted throughout the Bible. From leading Israel out of Egypt to Jesus' miracles and the apostles' works, God is portrayed as loving and powerful, capable and willing to help. This belief is challenged by the widespread, unaddressed suffering in the world, leading the instructor to question the reality of such divine intervention.
Summarized by AI · Why I am Not a Christian: How Leaving the Faith Led to Life of More Meaning and Purpose · Lecture 2: My Leaving the Faith | Going Where the “Truth” Leads You · watch the clip
John 14:16
Jesus and the Spirit as Divine in Scripture
Despite the monotheistic emphasis, the New Testament also contains references to Jesus being God and equates the Holy Spirit to Jesus as an equal being. This creates a theological tension: how can there be only one God if Jesus and the Spirit are also referred to as God? This tension is what drove early Christians to develop doctrines like the Trinity.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Where Did the Trinity Come From? · watch the clip
The Holy Spirit as God in the New Testament
The New Testament also contributes to the Trinitarian concept by presenting the Holy Spirit as God. Jesus' promise to send 'another comforter' (John 14:16) and the Spirit's role as the Spirit of God led early Christians to conclude that the Spirit, like the Father and the Son, is also God. This completed the understanding of three distinct divine persons.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Where Did the Trinity Come From? · watch the clip
John 14:20
Humans gain union with God and divine glory
Through becoming spirit, humans experience the Spirit of God dwelling in them and can dwell in God, gaining access to the heavenly realm in this life. Jesus states, 'I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you' (John 14:20). Furthermore, Jesus gives his glory, the glory of the only Son, to believers 'so that they may be one, even as we are one' (John 17:22), enabling humans to share in the Logos's oneness with God.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 11: John | Reimagining Jesus · watch the clip
John 14:26
The Pentecost and Prophetic Spirit
The Book of Acts highlights the Holy Spirit's role in animating the early Christian community with prophetic knowledge, particularly at Pentecost (Acts 2). This event describes the Spirit empowering believers to speak in tongues, enabling miraculous prophetic speech understood by diverse linguistic groups. Peter's subsequent sermon, guided by the Holy Spirit, provides authoritative teaching and sets the stage for the church's continued divine guidance through prophecy.
Summarized by AI · Demons and Ghosts in the Bible · Lecture 17: Demons and Spirits of Divination in the New Testament · watch the clip
The Holy Spirit as a Helper for Christians
The New Testament presents the Holy Spirit as an entity that assists Christians. John the Baptist foretells Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus promises his followers power through the Spirit for their mission. The Gospel of John also refers to the Holy Spirit as an 'advocate' who will teach and remind believers of Jesus's words, especially in his absence.
Summarized by AI · Demons and Ghosts in the Bible · Lecture 25: The "Holy Ghost" in Early Christianity · watch the clip
Ambiguity of the Spirit's Personhood in the New Testament
The New Testament presents a mixed view on whether the Holy Spirit is a distinct person. Some passages suggest personhood, depicting the Spirit as being sent by God, exhibiting agency, and capable of being offended. However, other contexts describe the Spirit as a non-personal substance, like rain being poured out or something that fills people, indicating a more abstract nature.
Summarized by AI · Demons and Ghosts in the Bible · Lecture 25: The "Holy Ghost" in Early Christianity · watch the clip
John 14:28
Jesus' Subordination to the Father in John
Despite passages in the Gospel of John where Jesus claims unity with the Father, other passages in the same Gospel indicate Jesus' subordination to God. For instance, Jesus explicitly states that 'the Father is greater than I,' suggesting a hierarchy rather than complete equality, which contradicts the Trinitarian doctrine of co-equality among the three persons.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Is the Trinity Really in the Bible? · watch the clip
John 14:30
Satan as the ruler of this world
The Gospel of John repeatedly refers to Satan as the 'ruler of this world,' emphasizing Jesus' cosmic power over him. This highlights a dualistic worldview where Jesus' mission involves overcoming the evil dominion of Satan.
Summarized by AI · Demons and Ghosts in the Bible · Lecture 8: Satan in Early Christianity · watch the clip
Satan as the Ruler of This World
The Gospel of John also identifies Satan as the 'ruler of this world.' This concept links Satan to the earthly powers and individuals who oppose Jesus, including Jewish and potentially Roman authorities, thereby defining the boundaries of the Jesus movement against its adversaries.
Summarized by AI · Demons and Ghosts in the Bible · Lecture 9: Satan and Early Christian "Heretics" (I) · watch the clip
