John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus uses the present tense "I come again" not just for his final return, but to emphasize his ongoing presence with believers through the Holy Spirit and in their eventual reception into heaven. The phrase "take you to myself" isn't just about a future event, but highlights his personal action in bringing us into His immediate fellowship.
Jesus is comforting his disciples as he prepares to leave them. He assures them that his departure isn't a final separation, but a necessary step to prepare a heavenly dwelling for them. He promises to return and personally escort them to be with him, where he will be eternally.
Jesus tells his disciples not to worry, even as he's about to leave them. How can he comfort them with a 'place' when he's going away?
Jesus speaks of His departure not as an abandonment, but as a preparation. He uses the metaphor of a "Father's house" with "many dwellings" (mansions) to assure His disciples that His leaving is to make ready a home for them.
Jesus uses the present tense 'I come again' even though His return is in the future. What does this continuous action mean for us?
The promise, 'I will come again,' isn't just a one-time event in the distant future. The original Greek suggests a continuous action: 'I am coming again.' This has multiple layers of fulfillment:
This verse, spoken by Jesus just before his crucifixion, was given to comfort his disciples amidst their fear of his impending departure. He promised not only a future heavenly home but also His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit and His eventual return in glory.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Ascension to Heaven
Following his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven. This event marked his physical departure from his disciples and the beginning of his work in preparing a heavenly dwelling place.
c. AD 30-33
Descent of the Holy Spirit
After Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost, empowering them and bringing Christ's presence to them in a new way.
c. AD 50s
Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians
Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, addressing their concerns about believers who had died before Christ's return, offering comfort that they would be with the Lord.
c. AD 60s
Writing of the Gospels
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are written, recording Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection for future generations.
Jesus prays that those the Father has given him will be with him where he is, directly echoing the desire expressed in John 14:3 that believers would be with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:17This passage describes believers being 'caught up together... to meet the Lord in the air,' which fulfills the promise of being taken to be with Christ where he is.
Philippians 1:23Paul expresses his deep longing to depart and be with Christ, calling it 'far better,' highlighting the ultimate desire to be where Christ is, as promised in John 14:3.
Hebrews 9:24Christ entered not into the holy place made with hands, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf, showing that he went to prepare a place and a way for us.
John 17:5In his high priestly prayer, Jesus asks the Father to glorify him with the glory he had before the world was, signifying the heavenly dwelling place he is preparing.
vincentJohn 14:3: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
If I go (ἐὰν πορευθῶ)Πορεύομαι, go, of going with a definite object. See on John 8:21.I will come again (πάλιν ἔρχομαι)The present tense; I come, so Rev. Not to be limited to the Lord's second and glorious coming at the last day, nor to any special coming, such as Pentecost, though these are all included in the expression; rather to be taken of His…
calvinJohn 14:1-7: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."
- Let not your heart be troubled -- you believe in God, believe also in me. 2. In my Father's house are many dwellings, and if it were not so, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you. 3. And if I go away and prepare a place for you, [60] I will return again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be also. 4. And whither I go you know, and you know the way. 5. Thomas saith to him, L…
Jesus uses the present tense "I come again" not just for his final return, but to emphasize his ongoing presence with believers through the Holy Spirit and in their eventual reception into heaven. The phrase "take you to myself" isn't just about a future event, but highlights his personal action in bringing us into His immediate fellowship.
Jesus is comforting his disciples as he prepares to leave them. He assures them that his departure isn't a final separation, but a necessary step to prepare a heavenly dwelling for them. He promises to return and personally escort them to be with him, where he will be eternally.
Jesus is comforting his disciples as he prepares to leave them. He assures them that his departure isn't a final separation, but a necessary step to prepare a heavenly dwelling for them. He promises to return and personally escort them to be with him, where he will be eternally.
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The ultimate goal of Jesus' departure and return is for His followers to be with Him. What does 'being where He is' truly mean?
This is the heart of the promise: 'that where I am, you may be also.' It speaks of intimate, eternal fellowship with Christ.
c. AD 90s
Writing of the Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is written, providing prophetic visions of Christ's ultimate return in glory and the final establishment of God's kingdom.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." — Jesus uses the present tense "I come again" not just for his final return, but to emphasize his ongoing presence with believers through the Holy Spirit and in their eventual reception into heaven. Th…
