John 14:31
What does John 14:31 mean?
A plain-English look at John 14:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 14:31 means
Jesus declares that His coming actions will show the world His love for the Father and His perfect obedience to the Father’s command. The cross will not be an accident but a demonstration of filial love and divine purpose. He then says, “Arise, let us go hence,” moving from the table to the next stage of His passion. The command gathers the disciples to follow Him into the dark with confidence that love, not defeat, governs what happens. It closes the chapter with resolute devotion: the Son goes to the cross to honor the Father and redeem His people.
John 14:31 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 · 2000but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he comes so that the world may see that I have love for the Father, and that I am doing as I am ordered by the Father. Get up, and let us go.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but that the world may know that I love the Father, and according as the Father gave me command so I do; arise, we may go hence.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me commandments, so do I. Arise, let us go hence.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has commanded me, thus I do. Rise up, let us go hence.
Context
Concluding the discourse in this setting, Jesus interprets the coming ordeal as an act of obedient love to the Father, not as Satan’s triumph. The call to rise marks a shift from instruction to the unfolding of events that He has just prepared them to face—arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The reader sees how the promises of place, presence, prayer, Spirit, and peace equip the disciples to walk with Him into what comes next, sustained by the assurance that He goes willingly under the Father’s command.
v.30I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;
v.31This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart.
- Matthew 26:39
And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
- Hebrews 10:5
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;
- John 12:27
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause came I unto this hour.
- Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
- Philippians 2:8
and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
Sermon ideas from John 14:31
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 14:31 teaches us about heaven
What John 14:31 teaches us about exclusivity of christ
What John 14:31 teaches us about holy spirit promised
What John 14:31 teaches us about christ's peace
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