In my Father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you — the metaphor of the Father's house with many rooms (monai—dwelling places, permanent abodes, not merely rooms but homes) promises that the separation wrought by death is not permanent, that there is an ultimate destination where Jesus goes to prepare space for his beloved. The conditional "if it were not so, I would have told you" is a solemn oath-formula affirming the reality of this promise; Jesus would not deceive them about so fundamental a matter. The image of preparation speaks to Jesus' redemptive work: he goes before them to make the way, to sanctify it, to open it.

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