John 14:23

John 14:23, in plain English

Jesus answers: if anyone loves Me and keeps My word, the Father and I will come and make Our home with them. God's plan is not a public spectacle; it is an intimate indwelling.

Why it's here

This is the flip side of the 'many rooms' promise. Jesus is preparing a place for you in God's house, and at the same time, God is making a home in your heart. The relationship goes both ways.

Who's speaking

Jesus reveals the intimate nature of God's relationship with those who love Him.

Where it sits in the story

Instead of showing up on the world stage, God chooses to move into your heart. The Father and the Son make their home with you. It is the most personal promise imaginable: the God of the universe wants to live with you, not in a temple, but in you.

The scholarly reading

Jesus responds by describing a radical intimacy: the one who loves Him and keeps His word will be indwelt by both the Father and the Son. The Trinity makes its 'home' (monēn, same word as 14:2) with the obedient believer.

Language and setting

The monē (dwelling place) promised in 14:2 is now reciprocated: the Father's house has many rooms for believers, and believers become dwelling places for God. Mutual indwelling is the answer to Judas' question about why revelation is not public.

Voice

Jesus answers by describing the intimate indwelling of the Trinity in the life of the obedient believer.

Significance

Jesus' answer to Judas is astonishing: rather than a public display, the Father and Son will come and make their home inside each believer who loves and obeys. The 'rooms' in the Father's house are matched by a room in the believer's heart for God.

21Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

22Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, why are You going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?”

23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

24Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me.

25All this I have spoken to you while I am still with you.

Read all of John 14 — In the upper room, Jesus comforts his terrified disciples. He promises them a place, a path, and a presence that will never leave them.