What does John 14:20 mean?

Explanation

In John 14:20, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about a profound unity that will exist between them and God.

This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is preparing His followers for His impending departure from the world.

The verse emphasizes the imminent realization of a spiritual union among Jesus, His Father (God), and His believers.

The literal meaning speaks of this day of recognition, when believers will understand and experience the interconnectedness of their relationship with Jesus and God.

The deeper meaning suggests a mystical oneness, where the divine and the human are intertwined; it's a declaration of a spiritual indwelling where believers are in Christ as Christ is in God, and Christ is also in the believers.

Historical Context

The Book of John is one of the four canonical gospels and written around 90-100 AD.

The Gospel is attributed to John the Apostle, although the actual author or authors may have been members of a Johannine community.

At the time of its writing, early Christians faced persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

This verse falls within what is known as the Farewell Discourse (John 14-17), a long speech given by Jesus after the Last Supper and before His crucifixion.

This passage reflects early Christian theology and the struggles of the Johannine community to maintain their faith and understand the nature of Jesus’ relationship with God amidst their trials.

Theological Insights

From an orthodox Christian theological viewpoint, this verse supports the doctrine of the Trinity, illustrating the coexistence and unity between God the Father and God the Son, as well as the presence of Christ within believers through the Holy Spirit.

Other theological perspectives may include:

• Catholicism: This verse reinforces the concept of the indwelling Trinity and the communion of saints, as believers are united with Christ and through Him with the Father.
• Protestantism: Many branches of Protestantism would focus on the personal relationship with Jesus and the transformative aspect of the Holy Spirit living within the believer.
• Eastern Orthodoxy: This tradition might emphasize the process of theosis, the transformative journey towards becoming divine in union with God, as implied by the mutual indwelling.
• Unitarianism: This perspective may interpret the verse symbolically, reflecting a moral and spiritual unity rather than a literal indwelling of a Trinitarian God.

Practical Applications

John 14:20 can guide believers in understanding the intimacy of their relationship with God and encourage them to seek a deeper spiritual connection.

This verse reassures the faithful of Christ’s presence and offers comfort in times of uncertainty and solitude. In practical terms, believers might:

• Strive to live a life that reflects their unity with Christ and God.
• Cultivate spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and meditation, to become more attuned to God's presence within.
• Use this understanding of divine unity to foster community, empathy, and support among fellow believers.

Cross-References

• John 10:38, "But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him."
• John 17:21, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
• 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
• 1 John 4:13, "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."

Language Study

The key Greek words and phrases in the original text of John 14:20 include:

• γινώσκετε (ginōskete): Translated as "ye shall know," which means to perceive, recognize, or understand.
• ἐγὼ (egō): Translated as "I," referring to Jesus Himself.
• ἐν (en): Translated as "in," denoting a fixed position, metaphorically indicating a condition or state of being.
• πατήρ (patēr): Translated as "Father," referring to God.

This language suggests a strong emphasis on knowledge and understanding as key components of the believer’s relationship with God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse may be compared to other religious traditions that speak of the divine dwelling within humans.

For instance, in Hinduism, the concept of Atman is the inner self or soul, which is ultimately identified with Brahman, the universal soul.

In Buddhism, while there is no creator God, there is a focus on the interconnectedness of all beings and the indwelling Buddha-nature within each person.

Ancient Stoic philosophy also proposed that a divine spark (logos) resided within each individual.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science does not typically intersect with claims of metaphysical or spiritual indwelling due to the empirical nature of scientific investigation.

However, neuroscience studies aspects of human consciousness and the experience of mystical or religious experiences, which might shed light on what believers describe feeling when they have a sense of oneness with a higher power.

commentaries

Commentaries offer various interpretations of this verse:

• Matthew Henry Commentary: Suggests that the mystical union between Christ and His disciples is what makes them holy and happy.
• Benson Commentary: Emphasizes the knowledge and experience of this union as being crucial to the comfort of believers.
• Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Underlines this verse as the climax of Christian revelation and the distinct Christian idea of gods dwelling within humans.