John 14:2 — Community Reflections

JOHN 14:2 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

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.

Church Fathers on John 14:2

Our Lord consoles His disciples, who, as men, would be naturally alarmed and troubled at the idea of His death, by assuring them of His divinity: Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me; as if they must believe in Him, if they believed in God; which would not follow, unless Christ were God. you are in fear for this form of a servant; let not your heart be troubled; the form of God shall raise it up.
Augustine · 4th century

Faith, too, in Me, and in the Father that begat Me, is more powerful than anything that shall come upon you; and will prevail in spite of all difficulties. He shows His divinity at the same time by discerning their inward feelings: Let not your heart be troubled.
Chrysostom · 4th century

The many mansions agree w with the one penny, because, though one may rejoice more than another, yet all rejoice with one and the same joy, arising from the vision of their Maker.
Gregory the Great · 6th century

Read all 14 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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