Bullet Point Bible

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

¹ "Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me.² There are many dwelling places in my Father's house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you.³ And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too.⁴ And you know the way where I am going."

Jesus addresses the disciples' fear and confusion following the prediction of his departure and Peter's denial (John 13).
The command "{{"Do not let your hearts be troubled"}}" acknowledges their distress and offers divine reassurance.
Belief in God is linked directly to belief in Jesus, asserting Jesus' divine status and role.
"My Father's house" refers to heaven, depicted not as a single building but a vast dwelling with ample space ("many rooms" or "dwelling places"). This counters any idea of limited access.
Jesus' departure is purposeful: to "prepare a place," suggesting an active role in securing the believers' future dwelling with God. This preparation is linked to his death and resurrection.
The promise "{{"I will come back"}}" refers primarily to his second coming (parousia), though some see partial fulfillment in the resurrection appearances or the coming of the Spirit.
The ultimate goal is eternal fellowship: "{{"that you also may be where I am."}}" This emphasizes relational presence with Christ as the essence of heaven.
Jesus assumes the disciples understand the destination and the path, setting up Thomas's question in the next section.

Jesus the Way to the Father

⁵ Thomas said, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?"⁶ Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.⁷ If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him."

Thomas voices the disciples' confusion, honestly admitting their lack of understanding about both the destination and the path.
Jesus responds with the profound "I AM" statement: "{{"I am the way and the truth and the life."}}" This is one of the seven great "I AM" declarations in John's Gospel.
"The Way": Jesus is not merely showing the way; He *is* the path to God. Access to the Father is mediated exclusively through Him. (See Acts 4:12)
"The Truth": Jesus embodies ultimate reality and divine revelation, contrasting with falsehood and ignorance. He is the reliable source of knowledge about God. (See John 1:14, 17)
"The Life": Jesus is the source of spiritual and eternal life, overcoming death and separation from God. (See John 1:4, 11:25)
The exclusivity clause "{{"No one comes to the Father except through me"}}" is central to Christian doctrine, affirming Christ's unique role in salvation.
Knowing Jesus is equivalent to knowing the Father, highlighting the intimate unity between them. Seeing Jesus (his character, works, teachings) is seeing the Father revealed.
"{{"From now on, you do know him and have seen him"}}" points to the revelation already given through Jesus' ministry, even if the disciples haven't fully grasped it yet.

Jesus Reveals the Father

⁸ Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content."⁹ Jesus replied, "Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds.¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves.

Philip, like Thomas, expresses a desire for a more direct, tangible revelation of God the Father, perhaps reminiscent of Old Testament theophanies (e.g., Moses in Exodus 33:18).
Jesus expresses gentle surprise at Philip's request, given His extended time with them. "{{"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"}}" is a powerful statement of His divine nature and role as the perfect image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus reiterates His mutual indwelling with the Father: "{{"I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me."}}" This describes an intimate, essential unity, not mere agreement or cooperation.
Jesus' words and works are presented as originating from the Father, demonstrating that His authority and power are divine. The Father works *through* the Son.
Jesus offers two bases for belief: His own testimony ("{{Believe me}}") and the evidence of His miracles ("{{the works themselves}}"). The works serve as signs pointing to His divine identity and unity with the Father.
This passage is crucial for understanding the doctrine of the Trinity, particularly the relationship between the Father and the Son.

The Promise of Greater Works

¹² I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father.¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.¹⁴ If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

The solemn phrase "{{"Very truly I tell you"}}" (Amen, amen) introduces a significant promise.
Believers are promised the ability to do the "works" Jesus did (healing, teaching, etc.) and even "greater things."
"Greater things" likely refers not to more spectacular miracles but to the wider scope and impact of the gospel ministry after Pentecost, reaching across the globe and resulting in vast numbers of conversions through the power of the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 2:41, Acts 1:8)
This empowerment is contingent on Jesus "{{"going to the Father,"}}" which enables the sending of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7).
Jesus promises to answer prayers made "{{"in my name."}}" This means praying according to His character, will, and authority, aligning the request with His purposes.
The ultimate purpose of answered prayer is the glorification of the Father through the Son ("{{so that the Father may be glorified in the Son}}"). Prayer is not primarily for personal gain but for advancing God's kingdom and honor.
The repetition in verse 14 emphasizes the certainty and scope of the promise regarding prayer offered in Jesus' name.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ "If you love me, you will obey my commandments.¹⁶ Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever-¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.

Jesus links love for Him directly to obedience: "{{"If you love me, keep my commands."}}" Love is demonstrated through action, not just emotion. (See 1 John 5:3)
Jesus promises to ask the Father to send "another advocate" (Greek: *allos parakletos*). "Another" (*allos*) implies one of the same kind as Jesus Himself.
"Advocate" (or Comforter, Helper, Counselor) translates *parakletos*, meaning one called alongside to help, defend, or encourage. The Holy Spirit will fulfill the supportive role Jesus played for the disciples during His earthly ministry.
Unlike Jesus' temporary physical presence, the Spirit will be with believers "{{"forever."}}"
The Spirit is identified as "{{"the Spirit of truth,"}}" highlighting His role in revealing and guiding believers into truth, contrasting with the deception of the world. (See John 16:13)
The "world" (those opposed to God) cannot receive the Spirit because its criteria are sensory ("{{sees him}}") and superficial ("{{knows him}}"). Spiritual realities require spiritual perception.
Believers, however, already have a relationship with the Spirit ("{{you know him}}"), who currently dwells "with" them (perhaps through Jesus' presence) and will soon dwell "in" them personally and permanently after Pentecost.

Jesus Promises His Return and Indwelling

¹⁸ "I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you.¹⁹ In a little while the world will not see me any longer, but you will see me; because I live, you will live too.²⁰ You will know at that time that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you.²¹ The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him."²² "Lord," Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "what has happened that you are going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?"²³ Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and take up residence with him.²⁴ The person who does not love me does not obey my words. And the word you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.

Jesus reassures the disciples they won't be abandoned like orphans; His departure will be followed by a new form of His presence ("{{I will come to you}}"). This likely refers to His resurrection appearances, the coming of the Spirit, and His eventual second coming.
The world's perception of Jesus ends with His death, but believers will continue to "see" Him, likely referring to spiritual sight and fellowship enabled by the resurrection and the Spirit.
The promise "{{"Because I live, you also will live"}}" connects the believer's spiritual and eternal life directly to Christ's resurrection life. (See Romans 6:5-11)
"On that day" (referring to the time after resurrection/Pentecost) the disciples will fully grasp the mutual indwelling: Father in Son, believers in Son, and Son in believers. This describes deep Trinitarian and relational unity.
Jesus reiterates the connection between love and obedience (v. 21, cf. v. 15). Obedience is the evidence of love, which results in reciprocal love from the Father and the Son, and deeper revelation ("{{show myself to them}}").
Judas (Thaddaeus) questions why this self-revelation is exclusive to believers, reflecting a common Jewish expectation of a Messiah who would reveal himself publicly and powerfully to the world.
Jesus responds by emphasizing that divine indwelling ("{{we will come to them and make our home with them}}") is conditional upon love demonstrated through obedience to His teaching. It's a relational reality, not a public spectacle.
Conversely, lack of love is shown by disobedience. Jesus again stresses that His teaching originates from the Father, giving it ultimate authority.

The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Reminder

²⁵ "I have spoken these things while staying with you.²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.

Jesus acknowledges that His teaching is given during His physical presence but anticipates a future ministry of the Spirit.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is explicitly named. His sending is initiated by the Father "{{"in my name,"}}" meaning on Jesus' behalf and representing His authority and mission.
The Spirit's role includes teaching ("{{will teach you all things}}") and reminding ("{{will remind you of everything I have said to you}}").
"Teach you all things" implies guiding believers into deeper understanding and application of truth beyond what Jesus explicitly taught during His earthly ministry. (See John 16:12-13)
"Remind you" suggests the Spirit would bring to the disciples' memory the teachings of Jesus, enabling them to accurately record and preach the gospel (foundational for the writing of the Gospels).
This verse provides assurance of the Spirit's role in preserving and illuminating Christ's message for the church throughout history.

Jesus Gives His Peace

²⁷ "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.²⁸ You heard me say to you, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.³⁰ I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me,³¹ but I am doing just what the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up, let us go from here.

Jesus bequeaths "peace" (*eirene*, related to Hebrew *shalom*) to His disciples. This is not merely the absence of conflict but holistic well-being, reconciliation with God, and inner tranquility despite external circumstances.
His peace ("{{my peace}}") is distinct from the world's peace, which is often superficial, temporary, and dependent on circumstances. Jesus' peace is internal, divine, and enduring.
He repeats the command from verse 1: "{{"Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."}}" The gift of His peace is the basis for overcoming fear.
Jesus reframes His departure as a reason for gladness, not sorrow, because He is returning to the Father. This return signifies the completion of His mission and His exaltation.
The statement "{{"for the Father is greater than I"}}" has been debated but, in context, likely refers to Jesus' subordinate role in His incarnate state and mission, not an essential inequality within the Godhead. He operates under the Father's authority while on earth. (See Philippians 2:6-8)
Jesus tells them these things beforehand so that the fulfillment of His words (death, resurrection, departure) will strengthen their faith.
"The prince of this world" refers to Satan (John 12:31), who is approaching to instigate the events of the passion.
Jesus asserts Satan "{{"has no hold over me,"}}" meaning Satan has no legitimate claim or power over Him due to sin. Jesus' death is voluntary obedience, not defeat.
Jesus' submission to the Father's command (leading to the cross) is motivated by love for the Father and serves as a testimony to the world.
The final command, "{{"Come now; let us leave,"}}" signals the end of the discourse in the upper room and the movement towards Gethsemane and the cross.

The Bullet Point Bible

John 14