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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_14:8-14
8Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Do 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 abiding in Me does His works. 11Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
Joh_14:8 "Philip said to Him" Apparently Philip (1) wanted a vision of God (Theophany) somewhat like Moses, Isaiah, or Ezekiel or (2) he totally misunderstood Jesus' words. Jesus answers by affirming that when Philip had seen and known Him, he had seen and known God (cf. Col_1:15; Heb_1:3)!
NASB "it is enough for us"
NKJV "it is sufficient for us"
NRSV "we will be satisfied"
TEV "that is all we need"
NJB "then we shall be satisfied"
These disciples wanted some type of confirmation just like the Pharisees. However, believers must walk by faith and not depend on sight (cf. 2Co_4:18; 2Co_5:7) in spiritual matters. Trust is the issue!
Joh_14:9 "Have I been so long with you" Notice this is plural. Philip asked the question that all of them were thinking.
▣ "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" This is a perfect active participle and a perfect active verb which means "has seen and continues to see." Jesus fully reveals Deity (cf. Col_1:15; Heb_1:3).
Joh_14:10 Jesus' question in Greek expects a "yes" answer. See hyperlink at 1Jn_2:10.
▣ "you. . .you" The first "you" is singular, referring to Philip. The second "you" is plural, referring to the Apostolic group (cf. Joh_14:7; Joh_14:10).
▣ "The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative" Jesus was acting on the Father's behalf in all things (cf. Joh_14:24; Joh_5:19; Joh_5:30; Joh_7:16-18; Joh_8:28; Joh_10:38; Joh_12:49). Jesus' teachings are the very words of the Father (cf. Joh_14:24)
▣ "but the Father abiding in Me does His works" This fellowship between the Father and the Son (i.e., Joh_7:14; Joh_8:28; Joh_10:38), which is emphasized in Jesus' High Priestly prayer of chapter 17, becomes the basis for the "abiding" of believers in Christ in chapter 15. John's Gospel reveals salvation as (1) doctrine; (2) fellowship; (3) obedience; and (4) perseverance.
Joh_14:11 "Believe Me" This is a present active imperative or a present active indicative (cf. Joh_14:1).
There is a manuscript variant of some significance in the opening phrase of this verse. Some early Greek texts (P66, P75, à , D, L, and W) have just the verb "believe" followed by (hoti) "that," which implies that they were to accept the truth about Jesus and the Father's unity. Other ancient texts (MSS A and B) add the dative "in Me," showing the personal object of the belief. The United Bible Societies' Greek scholars believe that the first option was original (cf. Bruce M. Metzger's A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, which gives this option a "B" rating [almost certain], p. 244). Most modern translations keep the "in me" but add "that" (which shows the content to be believed).
▣ "otherwise believe because of the works themselves" Jesus tells them to believe in His works (cf. Joh_5:36; Joh_10:25; Joh_10:38). His works fulfilled OT prophecy. His works reveal who He is! The Apostles, like all of us, had to grow in faith.
Joh_14:12 "Truly, truly" See note at Joh_1:51.
▣ "believes. . .he will do" Believing is not a mental activity alone but an action-oriented word. The phrase "he can do even greater things" is a future active indicative which should be translated "he will do greater things." This possibly refers to
1. the geographical scope (cf. Mat_28:18-20)
2. the Gentile mission
3. the Spirit being with every believer
4. Jesus' intercessory prayer (cf. Heb_7:25; Heb_9:24)
See hyperlink at 1Jn_3:22, B. 2.
The last phrase "he will do" is crucial to biblical Christianity. As the Father sent the Son, the Son sends his disciples! Being "in Christ," having "eternal life," means an active "Great Commission" heart and mind. Christianity is not a creed or something we receive for a rainy day. It is a new orientation of life, a new worldview! It changes everything! It must become an intentional, daily, kingdom-oriented, sacrificial lifestyle.
The church must recapture
1. the ministry of every believer
2. the priority of the Great Commission
3. daily intentional selfless service
4. Christlikeness now!
Joh_14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in My name that will I do" Notice that Jesus claims that He will answer our prayers based on His character. In Act_7:59 Stephen prays to Jesus. In 2Co_12:8 Paul prays to Jesus. In Joh_15:16; Joh_16:23 believers are to address the Father. To pray in Jesus' name does not involve a magic formula, said at the end of our prayers, but praying in the will and character of Jesus.
This is a good example of the need to consult parallel passages before making dogmatic statements on biblical subjects. One must balance "whatever we ask" with
1. "in My name" (Joh_14:13-14; Joh_15:7; Joh_15:16; Joh_16:23)
2. "keep on asking" (Mat_7:7-8; Luk_11:5-13; Luk_18:1-8)
3. "two agreeing" ( Mat_18:19)
4. "believing" (Mat_21:22)
5. "without doubt" (Mar_11:22-24; Jas_1:6-7)
6. "not selfishly" (Jas_4:2-3)
7. "keep His commands" (1Jn_3:22)
8. "according to God's will" (Mat_6:10; 1Jn_5:14-15)
The name of Jesus represents His character. It is another way of referring to the mind and heart of Jesus. This phrase appears often in John (cf. Joh_14:13-14; Joh_14:26; Joh_15:16; Joh_16:23-26). The more like Christ one is, the more likely the prayers are to be answered in the affirmative. The worst thing God could do spiritually to most believers is answer their selfish, materialistic prayers. See note at 1Jn_3:22.
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▣ "if" This is a third class conditional sentence which means potential action.
▣ "ask Me anything" Usually believers are encouraged to pray in the Spirit, through the Son, to the Father. This verse is the only verse in John's Gospel where Jesus directs prayer to Himself.
This may be the reason why some ancient Greek manuscripts omit "Me" (i.e. MSS, A, D, L, and some Old Latin, Vulgate, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Slavic versions). The UBS4 rates its inclusion as "B" (almost certain). It is included in MSS P66, P75, à , B, W, and some Old Latin, Vulgate, and Syrian versions.