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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 14
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
(Joh_13:31 to Joh_14:31)
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
BACKGROUND TO Joh_14:1-31
A. There should be no chapter division from John 13 through 17 because this is one literary unit, the dialogue of the Upper Room the night of the Lord's Supper. It is obvious that Jesus' statements about going away caused the disciples to have many questions. This context is built on a series of these questions based on the Apostles' misunderstanding of Jesus' words
1. Peter (Joh_13:36)
2. Thomas (Joh_14:5)
3. Philip (Joh_14:8)
4. Judas (not Iscariot) (Joh_14:22)
5. some of His disciples (Joh_16:17-19)
Remember, John uses dialogue to communicate truth!
B. These questions still help believers
1. They show that even the Apostles who were physically with Jesus did not always understand Him.
2. Some of Jesus' most precious and profound words are said in response to these honest questions of misunderstanding.
C. Chapter 14 begins Jesus' discussion of the coming "helper."
1. Jesus' references to the Holy Spirit in this Upper Room discourse are directly related (and limited) to the disciples' fear and anxiety related to Jesus' leaving (cf. Joh_13:33; Joh_13:36).
Michael Magill, New Testament TransLine (p. 355) has an insightful outline of Jesus' contextual answers to these fears.
a. "you will be with Me some day where I am going," Joh_14:1-11
b. "It will be good for you that I go," Joh_14:12-17
c. "I will come to you where you are and reveal Myself to you," Joh_14:18-26
d. "I leave you my peace now," Joh_14:27-31
2. This discussion of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is limited in scope. There are so many crucial aspects of His ministry not discussed at all in this context.
3. The Spirit's task as
a. revealer of truth and
b. personal comforter are emphasized
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Explain the difference between Theism, Deism and Christianity based on Joh_14:1.
2. Explain the OT background to the three nouns found in Joh_14:6.
3. Can one build a theology of prayer on Joh_14:13 alone?
4. What is the major purpose of the Holy Spirit? (both to the lost and to the saved)
5. Is Satan in the will of God?