Commentaries:
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John 14:2-3
Many Protestants try to use these verses to "prove" that the saints go to heaven. Here, too, they make assumptions, such as understanding "house" only as a dwelling, rather than as a family or dynasty. Thus, they narrowly define place as "an ornate abode, a mansion or palace" instead of a "position," "office," "role," or "spot."
They gloss over the fact that Jesus says directly in this context that He would "come again." Where? To earth! He then says He will receive the saints to Himself. If He remains on earth to rule the nations, then the saints will rule with Him on the earth! Many scriptures show very plainly that God's Kingdom will be on the earth (Psalm 2:6-8; Jeremiah 23:5; Daniel 2:35, 44-45; 7:27; Zechariah 9:9-10; Revelation 11:15).
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Caught Up in the RaptureRelated Topics: Dwelling | Family | Kingdom of God | Kingdom of God, Established on Earth | Office | Position | Rapture | Role | Second Coming of Christ
John 14:1-6
During the Passover service, we always read John 14 in its entirety. It is chock-full of insight and instruction that we, as Christ's disciples, need to live fully as Christians and to prepare for eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus sets the goal before us, eternal life in God's house. He says that He will soon be going to that same goal, where He will be in a better position to prepare us to reach it. Then He says, "You know the way there," which has Thomas scratching his head. "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" (verse 5). In other words, if we do not have a clear idea of the goal, how can we find our way there? It is impossible. A person must have a destination in mind before he can map out the route.
In verse 6, Jesus provides the answer: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus' emphasis is on "the way" since that is the force of Thomas' question. Some commentators have even gone so far as to say that the real sense of His statement is, "I am the true and living way"—that is, the words "life" and "truth" modify "way."
He implies that the Father will only accept as His children those who imitate the character and process of salvation that Christ pioneered. He is called the Captain or Author of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10). Jesus has blazed the trail before us, showing us the way to go—and the way to go is to follow in His footsteps, to imitate Him (I John 2:6). There is only one road that leads to the Kingdom of God, the road that Christ Himself trod.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Christ, the WayRelated Topics: Christ as the Way | Eternal Life | Eternal Life in the Kingdom of God | Following in Christ's Footsteps | Imitating Christ | Jesus as the Captain of Our Salvation | Jesus Christ as the Trail Blazer | Jesus Christ as the Way
John 14:3-4
They did not know the way quite as well as Christ may have liked that they did. This is why Thomas asked in verse 5, "How can we know the way?"
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Two)Related Topics: Christ as the Way | Jesus Christ as the Way | Knowing Christ | Knowing God | Knowing the Lord | Knowing the Way | The Way | The Way, Jesus Christ as | Way, The
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What Does John 14:3 Mean?
In relation to John 14:3, where Christ promises to prepare a place and return to receive His followers so they may be with Him, the disciples' lack of understanding becomes evident. Their uncertainty about the path Christ speaks of is highlighted by Thomas' question in verse 5, "How can we know the way?" This reveals that the disciples do not fully grasp the direction or means to reach the place Christ is preparing, despite His assurance of returning for them. Their confusion underscores a gap in comprehension regarding the journey to be where Christ is, emphasizing the need for further guidance or revelation about the way.