John 14:24
What does John 14:24 mean?
A plain-English look at John 14:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 14:24 means
Jesus states the sober contrast: those who do not love Him do not keep His words. Disobedience exposes a lack of love. He adds weight by reminding them that the message they hear is not His own invention but the Father’s who sent Him. To disregard Jesus’ teaching is to reject the Father’s voice. This underscores the seriousness of His words and explains why the world will not receive His manifestation—it refuses His word. The disciples are thus called to regard His teaching as divine authority, shaping their life and expectations as He prepares to depart.
John 14:24 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 · 2000He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who has no love for me does not keep my words; and the word which you are hearing is not my word but the Father's who sent me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he who is not loving me, my words doth not keep; and the word that ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that loveth me not keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard is not mine; but the Father's who sent me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that loves me not does not keep my words; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but [that] of the Father who has sent me.
Context
Having described the blessing of divine indwelling for the loving and obedient, Jesus clarifies why the world will not share it: it does not love Him and so does not keep His word. This also reinforces that rejecting Jesus is rejecting the Father who sent Him. With the ethical frame set, He now turns to how His teaching will be preserved and understood after His departure. The next two verses explain that the Spirit will teach them all things and bring to remembrance all He has said, assuring them of faithful transmission.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- John 5:19
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.
- John 7:16
Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.
- John 8:26
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world.
- John 5:38
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not.
- John 12:44
And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
Sermon ideas from John 14:24
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 14:24 teaches us about heaven
What John 14:24 teaches us about exclusivity of christ
What John 14:24 teaches us about holy spirit promised
What John 14:24 teaches us about christ's peace
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