King James Version

What Does John 14:23 Mean?

John 14:23 in the King James Version says “Jesus 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... — study this verse from John chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Jesus 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.

John 14:23 · KJV


Context

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 to him.

22

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23

Jesus 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.

24

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

25

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus answers Judas' question (verse 22) about selective manifestation: 'If a man love me, he will keep my words' (ean tis agapa me ton logon mou teresei). Love produces word-keeping, using logos (word/teaching) comprehensively. The promise follows: 'and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him' (kai ho pater mou agapesei auton kai pros auton eleusometha kai monen par' auto poiesometha). The plural 'we' indicates both Father and Son. The verb poiesometha (we will make) uses the same root as monai (dwelling places) in 14:2. Believers become dwelling places for the triune God - a staggering promise of divine indwelling. This transcends temple theology - God no longer dwells in stone buildings but in human hearts. The condition remains: love demonstrated through word-keeping secures this intimate presence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse revolutionizes Israel's temple theology. Solomon's Temple represented God's earthly dwelling, but Christ promises that believers themselves become God's residence through the Spirit. Paul develops this: 'Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?' (1 Corinthians 3:16). Early Christian apologetics emphasized that Christianity requires no temples - God dwells in His people. This verse undergirds sacramental theology (God's presence in Eucharist) and mystical theology (union with God). Monastic tradition emphasized preparing one's heart as dwelling place through spiritual disciplines. Reformation personalized this - each believer, not just clergy, hosts divine presence. Modern emphasis on corporate worship sometimes neglects this promise of personal divine indwelling. The verse assures that God's presence is not limited to gathered assembly or sacramental moments but abides continuously with loving, obedient believers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise that Father and Son will make their abode in believers transform our understanding of sanctification?
  2. What is the relationship between individual indwelling (verse 23) and corporate indwelling (church as temple)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ἀπεκρίθη1 of 29

answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

2 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς3 of 29

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ4 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν5 of 29

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ6 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἐάν7 of 29

If

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

τις8 of 29

a man

G5100

some or any person or object

ἀγαπήσει9 of 29

love

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

με10 of 29

me

G3165

me

τὸν11 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγον12 of 29

words

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

μου13 of 29

my

G3450

of me

τηρήσει14 of 29

he will keep

G5083

to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892

καὶ15 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

16 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατήρ17 of 29

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

μου18 of 29

my

G3450

of me

ἀγαπήσει19 of 29

love

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

αὐτῷ20 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ21 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πρὸς22 of 29

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτῷ23 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐλευσόμεθα24 of 29

we will come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

καὶ25 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μονὴν26 of 29

our abode

G3438

a staying, i.e., residence (the act or the place)

παρ'27 of 29

with

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

αὐτῷ28 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ποιησόμεν29 of 29

make

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 14:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 14:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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