John 14:3 — Community Reflections

JOHN 14:3 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also — the promise is not merely of a distant hope but of Jesus' return (parousia) to gather his own into his presence; the separation is not final but penultimate. The phrase "take you to myself" suggests an intimate gathering, a bride-like union with the bridegroom; the disciples will not be orphaned but will dwell where Jesus dwells. This is the ultimate promise of John's Gospel: the communion begun in the incarnation will be consummated in resurrection and eternal dwelling together.

Church Fathers on John 14:3

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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