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)
The phrase "I will come again and will take you to myself" isn't just about a future resurrection; it uses a Greek word that carries the sense of taking someone along with you. This points to Christ actively and personally ushering believers into His presence, not just waiting for them to arrive.
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)
Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the upper room on the night before he is betrayed, sensing their distress about his impending departure. He reassures them that his leaving is not an abandonment but a necessary step to prepare a place for them in his Father's house. He promises to return and bring them to himself so they can be with him eternally.
Jesus starts with 'And if I go...' Does this mean His going is uncertain? Not at all! This phrasing is designed to draw us closer to His amazing plan.
In John 14:3, when Jesus says, 'And if I go and prepare a place for you,' the word 'if' isn't expressing doubt about whether He will go. It's more like saying, 'When I go...' or 'After I go...'
Jesus says, 'I will come again.' This promise echoes through eternity, but it's not just about one single future event. It’s a promise that unfolds in multiple ways.
Jesus' promise to 'come again' is rich and layered, encompassing His present, personal ministry as well as His future return.
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Future Fulfillment:
The ultimate destination of Jesus' promise is astounding: 'that where I am, you may be also.' This isn't just about a place; it's about relationship.
The core of Christ's promise is deep intimacy and union. 'That where I am, you may be also' speaks to a profound desire for shared existence.
Shared Identity:
This verse captures Jesus' farewell discourse, spoken just before his crucifixion. The 'going away' and 'preparing a place' directly refers to his death and ascension, while the 'coming again' encompasses his resurrection appearances, the sending of the Holy Spirit, and ultimately, his final return.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus is crucified, dies, and is buried, fulfilling his earthly ministry and the preparation for atonement.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Resurrection
Jesus is raised from the dead, demonstrating his victory over death and confirming his divine authority.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ascension
Jesus ascends into heaven to be with the Father, having completed his earthly mission and to prepare a place for believers.
c. AD 30 - Present
Intercession and Presence of the Holy Spirit
Jesus intercedes for believers from heaven and sends the Holy Spirit to indwell, guide, and comfort them.
c. AD 50-60s
Early Church Expectation of Christ's Return
The early Christian community, as seen in the epistles, lived with the active expectation of Christ's imminent return to gather believers.
Future
Christ's Second Coming
Jesus will return in glory to judge the living and the dead and to bring believers into his eternal presence.
This passage describes the Lord's return to gather believers, directly echoing John 14:3's promise of Christ coming again to receive his followers, highlighting the future, victorious aspect of Christ's return.
John 17:24Jesus prays that his disciples would be with him where he is, just as he promises in John 14:3, showing that this desire for eternal, intimate fellowship with God is central to Jesus' mission.
Hebrews 10:19-20This passage speaks of believers entering the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, which is a direct fulfillment of Jesus preparing the way and making a place for us, as mentioned in John 14:3.
Philippians 1:23Paul expresses his longing to depart and be with Christ, stating it is 'far better,' which beautifully illustrates the deep desire and ultimate outcome promised in John 14:3: to be where Christ is.
2 Corinthians 5:8This verse speaks of believers being 'at home with the Lord' when absent from the body, providing a profound insight into what it means to be received by Christ and to be where He is, as promised in John 14:3.
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…
The phrase "I will come again and will take you to myself" isn't just about a future resurrection; it uses a Greek word that carries the sense of taking someone along with you. This points to Christ actively and personally ushering believers into His presence, not just waiting for them to arrive.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the upper room on the night before he is betrayed, sensing their distress about his impending departure. He reassures them that his leaving is not an abandonment but a necessary step to prepare a place for them in his Father's house. He promises to return and bring them to himself so they can be with him eternally.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the upper room on the night before he is betrayed, sensing their distress about his impending departure. He reassures them that his leaving is not an abandonment but a necessary step to prepare a place for them in his Father's house. He promises to return and bring them to himself so they can be with him eternally.
"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." — The phrase "I will come again and will take you to myself" isn't just about a future resurrection; it uses a Greek word that carries the sense of taking someone along with you. This points to Chris…
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Last reviewed October 2026