My Father’s House
Study No. Twenty-three Chapter 14.
From chapter 13 verse 31 to chapter 17 verse 26 Jesus speaks to the eleven with great intensity, emotion and affection. This entire discourse takes place following the last supper and goes on into the evening. Before daybreak Jesus will be arrested. This is His last opportunity to teach and encourage them in depth.
“Let not your heart be troubled” The disciples had been greatly distressed by what Jesus had said about leaving them. (reading from page 337 of the Combined Harmony of the Gospels.)
“You believe in God- believe also in me.” There is a union between Christ and the Father. By the time we get to verse 16 Jesus reveals a union between Him and Holy Spirit. We need always to be open to learning more about God.
“In My Father’s house”
Where is His Father’s house? We know He was talking about heaven, and the disciples should be thinking the same thing .
“are many mansions” – many dwelling places. Many abodes.
Why the use of the word mansion? Why do some translations say room?
The word from the original Greek language is simply a dwelling.
It probably refers to abodes of all types. All will likely not be similar. See 1Co 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. :41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.
“I am going (away)”
They were hearing the words … but were they really following His discussion? Were they thinking, ‘How is He leaving? Will He walk to the Father’s house? Where is His Father’s house? He can’t walk to heaven. He can’t just float up through the air, can He?
“to prepare a place”. This word does not signify the kind or category but it does give comfort by affirming that each will have ownership to a place their very own.
JFB says; He went to obtain a right for us to be there.
Jesus is directing their hearts from thoughts of the earthly kingdom by pointing them toward the place He Himself is soon going.
In my Fathers house: Heaven. There we will dwell forever. But the father’s house is not remaining where it is now. He moves his abode to the New Earth. If we take Rev 21 literally, John is standing somewhere in the spirit … probably on the new earth, when he sees the New City coming down onto it. John’s perspective (that is, his vantage point) seems to change from time to time in the course of the book of Revelation. One time he is caught up into heaven and is standing before the throne. Another time he is seeing devastation on this planet. In chapter 21 it would seem he has moved onto the new earth and from there he saw the old one pass away.
“I will return to get you so that we will always be together” v3
“You know where I am going, and you know the way” in other words: It is to heaven that I am going and you know how to get there, you have the right to go there and thus be ready for me to take you when I come for you. Is he speaking to the disciples? This would mean that they do not go to the Father’s house at death, but must lie dormant somewhere waiting for Jesus to come and get them. This would not agree with Paul’s statement in 1Thess. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. So he is not specifically speaking to the disciples here, but in reality is speaking to “… we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 1Th 4:15”
- Thomas did not know the way. Did He think Jesus was going to some local destination? On this last trip to Jerusalem Jesus has clearly told the disciples of his impending death by crucifixion. He also gave them this parable: Lu 19:11-30 ¶ Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. :12 Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return (etc.).
-
“ John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Perhaps Jesus made this statement in this way to cause them to ask questions.
Note Christ is not “a” way or “one way” to heaven.
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Ac 4:12
By His being ‘the Truth’ we understand: He is not something ‘figurative’ or ‘typical’ as were all of the sacrifices.
“which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Col 2:17
He refers to Himself as ‘The Life”. He is not merely a ‘life style’. He is the giver of life. He breathed into Adam the breath of life "Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” Ac 17:25
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25
“Show us the Father and we will be satisfied”. Philip speaks for himself and also the others. But what is he asking, for evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God? Philip has been present and witnessed every miracle. He has heard Jesus’ teaching. He has experienced first-hand the gift to cast our demons and perform miracles of every kind. Notice the sadness in Jesus’ response to Philip. No wonder His answer seems to laced with disappointment.
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18
“and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” V12
Note: Not greater miracles. Nothing is greater than raising the dead. He means greater in scope and extent. The miracles of Jesus were all accomplished in Judea and Palestine. The miracles of the church would reach into the whole world.
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13
this promise applied particularly to the Apostles in their work of spreading the gospel however, it is true of all Christians if what they ask is in faith and is according to the will and word of God.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
1John 5:14 ¶ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
In my name … not a ritual of words but “whatever you ask on my account”
“When you are busy building My kingdom and you have need of something to complete the job, ask.”
Mt 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
From chapter 13 verse 31 to chapter 17 verse 26 Jesus speaks to the eleven with great intensity, emotion and affection. This entire discourse takes place following the last supper and goes on into the evening. Before daybreak Jesus will be arrested. This is His last opportunity to teach and encourage them in depth.
“Let not your heart be troubled” The disciples had been greatly distressed by what Jesus had said about leaving them. (reading from page 337 of the Combined Harmony of the Gospels.)
“You believe in God- believe also in me.” There is a union between Christ and the Father. By the time we get to verse 16 Jesus reveals a union between Him and Holy Spirit. We need always to be open to learning more about God.
“In My Father’s house”
Where is His Father’s house? We know He was talking about heaven, and the disciples should be thinking the same thing .
“are many mansions” – many dwelling places. Many abodes.
Why the use of the word mansion? Why do some translations say room?
The word from the original Greek language is simply a dwelling.
It probably refers to abodes of all types. All will likely not be similar. See 1Co 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. :41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.
“I am going (away)”
They were hearing the words … but were they really following His discussion? Were they thinking, ‘How is He leaving? Will He walk to the Father’s house? Where is His Father’s house? He can’t walk to heaven. He can’t just float up through the air, can He?
“to prepare a place”. This word does not signify the kind or category but it does give comfort by affirming that each will have ownership to a place their very own.
JFB says; He went to obtain a right for us to be there.
Jesus is directing their hearts from thoughts of the earthly kingdom by pointing them toward the place He Himself is soon going.
In my Fathers house: Heaven. There we will dwell forever. But the father’s house is not remaining where it is now. He moves his abode to the New Earth. If we take Rev 21 literally, John is standing somewhere in the spirit … probably on the new earth, when he sees the New City coming down onto it. John’s perspective (that is, his vantage point) seems to change from time to time in the course of the book of Revelation. One time he is caught up into heaven and is standing before the throne. Another time he is seeing devastation on this planet. In chapter 21 it would seem he has moved onto the new earth and from there he saw the old one pass away.
“I will return to get you so that we will always be together” v3
“You know where I am going, and you know the way” in other words: It is to heaven that I am going and you know how to get there, you have the right to go there and thus be ready for me to take you when I come for you. Is he speaking to the disciples? This would mean that they do not go to the Father’s house at death, but must lie dormant somewhere waiting for Jesus to come and get them. This would not agree with Paul’s statement in 1Thess. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. So he is not specifically speaking to the disciples here, but in reality is speaking to “… we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 1Th 4:15”
- Thomas did not know the way. Did He think Jesus was going to some local destination? On this last trip to Jerusalem Jesus has clearly told the disciples of his impending death by crucifixion. He also gave them this parable: Lu 19:11-30 ¶ Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. :12 Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return (etc.).
-
“ John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Perhaps Jesus made this statement in this way to cause them to ask questions.
Note Christ is not “a” way or “one way” to heaven.
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Ac 4:12
By His being ‘the Truth’ we understand: He is not something ‘figurative’ or ‘typical’ as were all of the sacrifices.
“which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Col 2:17
He refers to Himself as ‘The Life”. He is not merely a ‘life style’. He is the giver of life. He breathed into Adam the breath of life "Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” Ac 17:25
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25
“Show us the Father and we will be satisfied”. Philip speaks for himself and also the others. But what is he asking, for evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God? Philip has been present and witnessed every miracle. He has heard Jesus’ teaching. He has experienced first-hand the gift to cast our demons and perform miracles of every kind. Notice the sadness in Jesus’ response to Philip. No wonder His answer seems to laced with disappointment.
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18
“and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” V12
Note: Not greater miracles. Nothing is greater than raising the dead. He means greater in scope and extent. The miracles of Jesus were all accomplished in Judea and Palestine. The miracles of the church would reach into the whole world.
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13
this promise applied particularly to the Apostles in their work of spreading the gospel however, it is true of all Christians if what they ask is in faith and is according to the will and word of God.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
1John 5:14 ¶ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
In my name … not a ritual of words but “whatever you ask on my account”
“When you are busy building My kingdom and you have need of something to complete the job, ask.”
Mt 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.