Verse by Verse

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever —

17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

In verse 15, the disciples show their love for Christ. In verse 16, Christ shows His love for them.

pray (v.16) — request

another Helper (v. 16) — in addition to the first, Christ.

Helper (v.16) = to call to one’s side to help and strengthen, comforter. Translated “advocate” in 1 John 2:2.

The Spirit does the same work in the believer that Christ does in heaven for the believer.

Verse 16 refers to all three members of the Trinity. The Son requests the Father to send the Spirit (John 16:7).

Spirit of truth (v.17) — The Spirit reveals the truth about God.

the world lies and, therefore, cannot receive the truth (v.17) (1 John 5:19).

In the Old Testament, the Spirit was present but didn’t indwell (Psalm 51:11). The operative word is “with.”

In the New Testament, we are sealed (Ephesians 4:30). The operative word is “in.”

The Father, Son and Spirit are truth (v.17). Only believers receive the truth (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The Spirit was with them (v.17) but in their future, He would indwell them (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I will come to you (v18) — connected to the promise of the Spirit (Ephesians 3:17)

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

The Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) doesn’t mention the Son. Now the disciples are told to pray in His name (v.13) (John 16:24).

Praying in Christ’s name is to realize one’s standing in Christ and seek His glory by seeking His will.

These three verses continue the thought in verse 12. The disciples were to ask in Christ’s name regarding the works they were about to do for Him.

Verse 15 is still part of His comforting of the disciples. He’s encouraging them to continue doing what He’s asked them to do, even after He’s gone. (1 John 3:22).

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

Verse 7 is similar to what Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews (John 8:19).

from now on (v.7) — referring to what He was about to tell them, and what they experienced between that point and Pentecost.

Philip’s statement (v.8) — He believed Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:45-46), but didn’t understand (yet) that He was God, even though He had claimed one-ness with the Father many times. As a Jew, Philip required a sign (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3).

Jesus revealed God in His own person (1 Timothy 6:16; John 1:18).

for the sake of the works (v.11) — His miracles were His credentials.

Verse 12 was meant only for the apostles while they ministered regarding the Kingdom to the Jews. The Kingdom requires outward evidence—signs (miracles, sign gifts)—as happened early in Acts but diminished and stopped as Israel rejected the message and Paul turned increasingly to the Gentiles.

greater works (v.12) — salvation

Verse 13 is to be read as a continuation of His promise to the disciples in verse 12.

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

the way (v.6) — The way for sinners to be reconciled with God (Hebrews 10:20). The way to the Father’s presence (vs.2-3)

the truth (v.6) — He is the living Word. To know Him is to know the truth and vice versa.

Man’s truth (John 18:38; Romans 3:11). Christ’s truth (Colossians 2:3)

the life (v.6) — He is the source and sustainer of all life.

Man’s way (Romans 3:12)

The destination (vs.2-3) is the Father, and the way to that destination is Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Timothy 2:6)

Before sin entered the world Adam enjoyed a threefold privilege in relation to God; he was in communion with his Maker; he knew Him, and he possessed spiritual life. But when he disobeyed and fell, this threefold relationship was severed. He became alienated from God, as the hiding of himself painfully demonstrated; having believed the Devil’s lie, he was no longer capable of perceiving the truth, as the making of fig leaf aprons clearly evidenced; and he no longer had spiritual life, for God’s threat “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” was strictly enforced. In this same awful condition has each of Adam’s descendants entered this world, for “that which is born of the flesh is flesh” — a fallen parent can beget nought but a fallen child. Every sinner, therefore, has a threefold need — reconciliation, illumination, regeneration. This threefold need is perfectly met by the Savior. He is the Way to the Father; He is the Truth incarnate; He is the Life to all who believe in Him. — Pink, pages 354-355.

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

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.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Facing betrayal, denial, pain, humiliation, death and separation from the Father, still Christ’s main concern was for those He loves.

your (v.1) and “you” (in Luke 22:31) are plural, addressed to all the disciples.

believe (v.1) — He demands the same faith as they had in the Father. Believe in God (who is invisible). Believe in Me (who would soon be invisible). This is an exhortation to faith. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8).

My Father’s house (v.2) temple (2:16). It was a figure of another house (Acts 7:44; Hebrews 8:5). The true tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2). Ultimately, it was heaven (Isaiah 66:1) or, in God’s presence.

many (v.2) — room for all

mansions (v.2) — dwelling places (In 14:23, translated “abode)

I go to prepare a place — His death and resurrection prepared our means of access to the Father. He goes as High Priest and intercessor.

I will come again (v.3) — The rapture? (no, because Paul only revealed that mystery later). The second coming? (it doesn’t seem to fit). This is probably a reference to His resurrection a few days hence.

there ye may be also (v.3) — eternal communion and fellowship (John 17:24)

Our ultimate destiny is to be where Christ is. His death and resurrection prepared our way there. He is the way to that life.

My take on this passage is this: Christ said there was room for many people to dwell with the Father. He (Christ) was going—to his death—to prepare a way for those people to dwell with the Father. He was going, but He would come again (His resurrection) and gather them so they could be where He was—dwelling with the Father. There is nothing in this verse about mansions or rooms in a mansion.

36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

where are you going? (v. 36) — The disciples still didn’t understand that Christ had to die.

where I am going (v. 36) — death and glory

The next record of Peter speaking after verse 37 is his first denial of Christ in John 18:17.

Peter’s three denials — Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:31-34

In the original Greek, there is no break between John 13:38 and John 14:1.

31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.

32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately.

33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

when he had gone out (v. 31) — Judas, on his way to betray Jesus

 Now (v.31) speaking of the near future, which was a certainty. He spoke of His death as glory. The Cross was testimony to God’s power, justice, holiness, faithfulness and love.

Son of Man (v.31) — Jewish name for the Messiah

Christ was preparing His disciples for the horror of the next day. He begins with the assurance that the Messiah was already glorified — and more glory was to come (the Cross, His atoning work and His return to the Father where He would sit on His right hand).

little children (v. 33) = believers. Christ never used this term while Judas was part of the company.

a little while longer (v. 33) = a very short time (Greek — mikron)

as I said to the Jews (v. 33) — John 8:21

you cannot come (v. 33) — as in the Old Testament type (Leviticus 16:17) when the high priest went into the Holy Place to make atonement.

He promised to return to them (John 14:1-4), but in the meantime, He gives them a new commandment (John 15:12). In the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18), it was “love your neighbor as yourself.” Now it was “love as I have loved.”

But wherein was Christ’s death on the Cross His glorification? Notice, first, that He said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified.” It was the Son of God as incarnate who was “glorified” on the cross. But how? Wherein? First, in that He there performed the greatest work which the whole history of the entire universe ever witnessed, or ever will witness. For it the centuries waited; to it the centuries look back. Second, because there He reversed the conduct of the first man. The first Adam was disobedient unto death, the last Adam was obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. The glory of man is to glorify God; and never was God more glorified than when His own incarnate Son laid down His life in submission to His command (John 10:18); and never was human nature so glorified as when the Son of Man thus glorified God. Third, because through death He destroyed him who had the power of death, that is the devil (Hebrews 2:14) … Fourth, because at the Cross was paid the ransom-price which purchased for Himself all [who are saved] … Finally, by virtue of His Cross-work, a glory was acquired by the Mediator: there is now a glorified Man at God’s right hand. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:10). — Pink, pages 336-337.

21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.

25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.

29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

The Lord’s Supper (after verse 30) — only for the saved

troubled (v. 21) — not self-pity or fear but sorrow for Judas

Judas obviously gave nothing away by look or action (Matthew 26:25).

disciple whom Jesus loved — John (also in John 20:2; 21:7, 20)

Peter (v.24) — always outspoken and impetuous

Jesus answered John’s question (v.26), perhaps whispered to John alone.

piece of bread — dipped in sauce, usually a mark of honor

Satan entered him (v.27) — Judas had been influenced. He was now possessed (Matthew 26:24). When Judas left, it was on a road that led  to hell.

18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’

19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.

20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

Verse 18 takes up where verse 10 left off.

Christ knew when He chose Judas that he would betray Him. So why choose Him? That Scripture would be fulfilled (Psalm 41:9). Jesus told them in advance so they would understand after it happened. (Acts 1:16)

Lifted up his heel (v. 18) = “given me a great fall,” or, “taken cruel advantage.” A Hebrew metaphor derived from a horse preparing to kick. See also Genesis 3:15.

the quote (v. 18) is from Psalm 41:9, referring to 2 Samuel 16:20 – 17:3, 23). What David suffered from Ahithophel foreshadowed what David’s descendant, Jesus Christ, would suffer from Judas.

The fulfillment of His prediction based on the prophecy of the forty-first Psalm would prove to them His Deity, that He is the omniscient I AM. Psalm 41 refers to the treachery of Ahithopel towards David, and is therefore a prophetic type of Judas’s treachery against David’s Son and David’s Lord. The words which follow verse 20 were spoken by Him to comfort His true disciples and to show them that they were unaffected by Judas’s coming betrayal and horrible fall. — Gaebelein, page 254.

receives Him who sent Me (v. 20) — Jesus assured the other 11 disciples that they were secure (Matthew 10:42).

12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?

13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Teacher and Lord (v.13) = (in Greek) the Teacher and the Lord. Christ knew and claimed His greatness.

In the New Testament, no follower of Christ ever referred to Him as simply “Jesus.”

wash one another’s feet (v.14) — symbolic of service (love and humility). Nowhere else in Scripture is foot-washing mentioned except 1 Timothy 5:10 where it is simply as act of hospitality.

The symbolic meaning (Matthew 20:26-28; Galatians 6:1) — cleansing of dirt from our walk

Verse 16 — be subservient, esteem others as better

Why hadn’t the disciples already washed each others’ feet? The answer can be found in Luke 22:24-27, which took place during the same meal.