rwp - John:14:5-14

rwp@John:14:5 @{Whither} (\pou\)--{how} (\ps\). It is Thomas, not Peter (13:36f.|) who renews the doubt about the destination of Jesus including the path or way thither (\tn hodon\). Thomas is the spokesman for the materialistic conception then and now.

rwp@John:14:6 @{I am the way, and the truth, and the life} (\Eg eimi h hodos kai h altheia kai h z\). Either of these statements is profound enough to stagger any one, but here all three together overwhelm Thomas. Jesus had called himself "the life" to Martha (11:25|) and "the door" to the Pharisees (10:7|) and "the light of the world" (8:12|). He spoke "the way of God in truth" (Mark:12:14|). He is the way to God and the only way (verse 6|), the personification of truth, the centre of life. {Except by me} (\ei m di' emou\). There is no use for the Christian to wince at these words of Jesus. If he is really the Incarnate Son of God (1:1,14,18|, they are necessarily true.

rwp@John:14:7 @{If ye had known me} (\ei egnkeite me\). Past perfect indicative of \ginsk\, to know by personal experience, in condition of second class as is made plain by the conclusion (\an idete\) where \oida\, not \ginsk\ is used. Thomas and the rest had not really come to know Jesus, much as they loved him. {From henceforth ye know him} (\ap' arti ginskete auton\). Probably inchoative present active indicative, "ye are beginning to know the Father from now on." {And have seen him} (\kai herakate\). Perfect active indicative of \hora\. Because they had seen Jesus who is the Son of God, the Image of God, and like God (1:18|). Hence God is like Jesus Christ. It is a bold and daring claim to deity. The only intelligible conception of God is precisely what Jesus here says. God is like Christ.

rwp@John:14:8 @{Show us} (\deixon hmin\). Philip now speaks up, possibly hoping for a theophany (Exodus:33:18f.|), certainly not grasping the idea of Jesus just expressed.

rwp@John:14:9 @{Songs:long time} (\tosouton chronon\). Accusative of extent of time. {And dost thou not know me?} (\kai ouk egnkas me;\). Perfect active indicative of \ginsk\. Jesus patiently repeats his language to Philip with the crisp statement: "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (\ho heraks eme eraken ton patera\). Perfect active participle and perfect active indicative of \hora\, state of completion. {Thou} (\su\). Emphatic--After these years together.

rwp@John:14:10 @{Believest thou not?} (\ou pisteueis;\). Jesus had a right to expect greater faith from these men than from the blind man (9:35|) or Martha (11:27|). His words in strkjv@14:1| are clearly needed. This oneness with the Father Jesus had already stated (10:38|) as shown by his "words" (\rmata\) and his "works" (\erga\). Cf. strkjv@3:34; strkjv@5:19; strkjv@6:62|.

rwp@John:14:11 @{Believe me} (\pisteuete moi\). Repeated appeal (present active imperative of \pisteu\) as in strkjv@14:1| to his disciples and as he had done with the hostile Jews to be influenced by his "works" at any rate (10:38|).

rwp@John:14:12 @{Shall he do also} (\kakeinos poisei\). Emphatic pronoun \ekeinos\, "that one also." {Greater works than these} (\meizona toutn\). Comparative adjective neuter plural from \megas\ with ablative case \toutn\. Not necessarily greater miracles and not greater spiritual works in quality, but greater in quantity. Cf. Peter at Pentecost and Paul's mission tours. "Because I go" (\hoti eg poreuornai\). Reason for this expansion made possible by the Holy Spirit as Paraclete (16:7|).

rwp@John:14:13 @{Whatsoever ye shall ask} (\hoti an aitste\). Indefinite relative clause with \hoti\ (neuter accusative singular of \hostis\), \an\ and the aorist active subjunctive of \aite\. This is an advance thought over verse 12|. {In my name} (\en ti onomati mou\). First mention of his "name" as the open sesame to the Father's will. See also strkjv@14:26; strkjv@15:16; strkjv@16:23,24,26|. {That will I do} (\touto pois\). The Father answers prayers (15:16; strkjv@16:23|), but so does the Son (here and verse 14|). The purpose (\hina\ clause with first aorist passive subjunctive of \doxaz\) is "that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Plead Christ's name in prayer to the Father.

rwp@John:14:14 @{If ye shall ask me anything in my name} (\ean ti aitste me en ti onomati mou\). Condition of third class with \ean\ and first aorist active subjunctive of \aite\. The use of \me\ (me) here is supported by Aleph B 33 Vulgate Syriac Peshitta. Just this phrase does not occur elsewhere in John and seems awkward, but see strkjv@16:23|. If it is genuine, as seems likely, here is direct prayer to Jesus taught as we see it practiced by Stephen in strkjv@Acts:7:59|; and in strkjv@Revelation:22:20|.