John 14:30
What does John 14:30 mean?
A plain-English look at John 14:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 14:30 means
Jesus says He will not speak much more because the prince of the world is coming. This points to the imminent betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, with Satan at work behind human actions. Yet He adds that the prince has nothing in Him—no foothold of sin, no rightful claim. Jesus will face death not as a guilty victim under Satan’s power, but as the sinless One choosing obedience. This asserts His moral purity and sovereign freedom even as He submits to suffering. Evil moves, but it cannot lay rightful hold on Him; He yields Himself in love to the Father’s will.
John 14:30 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 · 2000I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949After this I will not say much to you, because the ruler of this world comes: and he has no power over me;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I will no more talk much with you, for the ruler of this world doth come, and in me he hath nothing;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world: cometh: and in me he hath not any thing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world comes, and in me he has nothing;
Context
Jesus prepares the disciples for the abrupt end of this intimate teaching time by naming the dark approach of the enemy. This frames the cross as contested ground yet governed by divine purpose. The final verse will state that His obedience is to let the world know He loves the Father and does exactly what the Father commands, followed by a call to rise and go. The transition signals that teaching now yields to action as the saving hour arrives.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 1:19
but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ:
- John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
- Ephesians 2:2
wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
- Revelation 20:7
And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.
Sermon ideas from John 14:30
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 14:30 teaches us about heaven
What John 14:30 teaches us about exclusivity of christ
What John 14:30 teaches us about holy spirit promised
What John 14:30 teaches us about christ's peace
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