RSV ~ John 14 Notes
Jn 14:1 | ISB Notes
Let not your hearts: Jesus wants to protect his disciples from despair at his death and from discouragement when persecution comes their way (14:27; 16:33). Only the peace of God that surpasses understanding can calm their anxieties (Phil 4:6-7).
Jn 14:2 | ISB Notes
my Fatherâs house: A similar expression is used in 2:16 for the Jerusalem Temple, hinting that the Fatherâs house is a heavenly sanctuary (Rev 21:22) perched high above in the heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26; Rev 21:1). This is the eternal dwelling where the glorified angels and saints worship the Lord in the eternal liturgy (Heb 12:22-24; Rev 4-5) (CCC 2795).
many rooms: Similar to the Herodian Temple in Jerusalem, which had several courts for worship, chambers for storage, and living quarters for priests.
Jn 14:6 | ISB Notes
I am the way: A claim to be the sole Savior of the world (Acts 4:12). He is the one mediator chosen by the Father to bring the human family to glory. Earlier Jesus made this claim when he compared himself to Jacobâs ladder (1:51) (CCC 661, 2466).
Jn 14:9 | ISB Notes
has seen the Father: Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God (Col 1:15), his human flesh (1:14) being an icon of divine spirit (4:24). Through faith we see how Christâs entire life shows us the heart of the Father and his love for the world (3:16; 5:19-23; CCC 516).
Jn 14:13 | ISB Notes
Whatever you ask: The Ascension of Jesus will not be his retirement, since even now he lives to make priestly intercession for the Church on earth (Heb 7:25; 9:24).
I will do it: A promise to grant whatever is needed to facilitate our salvation (Mt 7:7-11). To pray in the name of Jesus is to pray that the Father will bless us through him (Jn 16:23-24; CCC 2614, 2615).
Jn 14:15 | ISB Notes
If you love me: Our commitment to Christ is proved by works and not merely by words (14:23-24; 1 Jn 3:18).
Jn 14:17 | ISB Notes
with you ⌠in you: The first expression refers to the Spiritâs ecclesial presence within the Church as a whole, and the second to his personal presence dwelling within each of Godâs children individually. For this reason both the universal Church (Eph 2:19-22) and individual Christians (1 Cor 6:19) can be called âtemplesâ of the Spirit (CCC 797).
Jn 14:18 | ISB Notes
desolate: Literally, âorphansâ.
I will come to you: i.e., with the Father and the Spirit (14:23).
⢠When Jesus withdraws his visible presence from the world, he does not withdraw his spiritual presence. Christ is always present in his Church, especially in the liturgy, where he ministers through his priests, speaks through the Scriptures, and sanctifies us through the sacraments (CCC 788, 1380).
Jn 14:22 | ISB Notes
Judas (not Iscariot): Presumably âJudas the son of Jamesâ (Lk 6:16), also called âThaddaeusâ (Mt 10:3).
See chart: The Twelve Apostles at Mk 3.
Jn 14:23 | ISB Notes
our home with him: Through grace the living presence of the Trinity inhabits the hearts of the faithful (14:17; Gal 2:20). From Johnâs perspective, God dwells in the saints on earth before the saints dwell in God in heaven (14:2-3; Rev 21:22; CCC 260).
Jn 14:26 | ISB Notes
the Holy Spirit: Sent from heaven to complete the teaching ministry of Jesus and give the apostles an accurate understanding of the gospel (16:12-13). The Spirit also works through the sacraments to renew the world with the graces and blessings that Christ died to give us (3:5; 6:63; 20:22-23) (CCC 243, 729). See note on Jn 16:13. teach you âŚ
bring to your remembrance: The terms âyouâ and âyourâ in this verse are plural. It is thus a promise to guide and instruct the ordained leaders of the Church, here represented by the eleven apostles. It is not a promise that the Spirit will grant every individual Christian supernatural insight into the full meaning of the gospel or the Scriptures (2 Pet 1:20-21).
Jn 14:27 | ISB Notes
my peace: Not worldly peace, which is often procured by violence and is always unstable, but a spiritual serenity that comforts us regardless of our outward circumstances.
See word study: Peace at Col 3.
Jn 14:28 | ISB Notes
the Father is greater: The Son is equal to the Father in his divinity but less than the Father in his humanity.
⢠Although no one of the Divine Persons exceeds the others in greatness or glory in the eternal Trinity, there is a relational hierarchy among them, where, unlike the Son and the Spirit, the Father alone possesses divine Paternity and has the distinction of being entirely without origin.
Jn 14:31 | ISB Notes
I love the Father: This is the only place in the k6kJ Gospels where Jesus verbalizes his love for the Father. The fact is never in doubt, however, since his every deed is done to honor the Father (8:29; 15:10), and he will soon make a loving gift of himself to the Father on the Cross (15:13) (CCC 606).
⢠Christ reveals through his humanity the mystery of his divinity. The life and death of Jesus are thus a visible expression of the invisible life of the Trinity, where the Son eternally pours himself out in love to the Father.