John 14:23
What does John 14:23 mean?
A plain-English look at John 14:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 14:23 means
Jesus answers that love shown in keeping His word draws the Father’s love, and that both He and the Father will come and make their abode with such a person. This is astonishing intimacy: God dwelling with and within the obedient lover of Jesus. The language of “abode” echoes the “many mansions,” bringing the future home into present experience. The initiative remains divine, yet it is enjoyed in the pathway of love and obedience. The centrality of Jesus’ word highlights that fellowship with God is inseparable from embracing and practicing His teaching.
John 14:23 in context
John 14 — I Am the Way
On the night before his crucifixion Jesus comforts his disciples. He is going to prepare a place for them; he is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by him. He promises another Comforter — the Holy Spirit — who will dwell in them and bring his words to remembrance. The peace he gives is not as the world gives. Even with the cross hours away, he turns from his own sorrow to steady theirs.
- Heaven
- Exclusivity of Christ
- Holy Spirit promised
- Christ's peace
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said to him in answer, If anyone has love for me, he will keep my words: and he will be dear to my Father; and we will come to him and make our living-place with him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered and said to him, `If any one may love me, my word he will keep, and my Father will love him, and unto him we will come, and abode with him we will make;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered and said to him: If any one love me, he will keep my word. And my Father will love him and we will come to him and will make our abode with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered and said to him, If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him.
Context
Responding to Judas’s question, Jesus explains the nature of His manifestation: it is experienced by those who love Him and keep His word. This introduces the theme of God’s dwelling with believers in the present, complementing the earlier promise of a prepared place. The next verse provides the negative contrast—those who do not love Him do not keep His words—and underscores that His teaching is from the Father. This sets up the coming promise that the Spirit will teach and remind them of all He has said.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16
And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- John 6:56
He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
- Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
- Psalms 90:1
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place In all generations.
- 1 John 4:15
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.
- John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.
Sermon ideas from John 14:23
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 14:23 teaches us about heaven
What John 14:23 teaches us about exclusivity of christ
What John 14:23 teaches us about holy spirit promised
What John 14:23 teaches us about christ's peace
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