John 14: “Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled”
1. “Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled”
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me.” (Jn 14:1)
These words are spoken in the shadow of betrayal and approaching death.
Christ does not remove sorrow but transforms it into faith.
St Augustine comments:
“He does not say, ‘Let not your bodies suffer,’ but ‘Let not your hearts be troubled’; for where faith dwells, fear cannot reign.”
(Tractates on John 67.1)
Faith here is not mere belief but trust: the same confidence given to God is now demanded for Christ — proof of His divinity.
St Bede the Venerable adds:
“He consoles not by denying the Cross, but by revealing the crown.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.20)
To believe in Him is to see through death to resurrection.
2. “In My Father’s House Are Many Rooms”
“In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (v. 2)
Heaven is described not as a palace of power but a home of belonging.
“Many rooms” signifies the universality of salvation — a place for every heart purified by grace.
St Augustine writes:
“The house of the Father is the Church eternal; its many rooms are the diverse merits of the saints. In that unity, difference is not division but harmony.”
(Tractates on John 67.2)
The “place” prepared is not geographical but personal — communion with God through Christ.
St Ambrose observes:
“He goes to prepare by opening heaven with His Cross; for until the blood of Christ was shed, no room was found for man in heaven.”
(On the Mysteries 36)
The wounds of Christ are the open doors of paradise.
3. “I Will Come Again and Take You to Myself”
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” (v. 3)
Here Christ promises both His resurrection and His second coming.
He prepares not only by His death but by His intercession and Spirit.
St Bede notes:
“He departs in the flesh that He may return in the Spirit; and He will come again visibly at the last day.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.20)
The goal is not simply heaven as location, but union with Christ: “that where I am you may be also.”
Heaven is personal presence — eternal life in communion with the Lord.
4. “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”
“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going; how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’” (vv. 5–6)
One of the most sublime declarations in Scripture.
Christ does not merely teach the way — He is the way.
He does not describe truth — He is the truth.
He does not promise life — He is the life.
St Augustine explains:
“He is the way as man, the truth as God, the life as both. Follow the way, and you will reach the truth and live the life.”
(Tractates on John 69.2)
The Fathers read this verse as the summary of the whole Christian mystery:
Way — through His humanity, the path of obedience.
Truth — the revelation of divinity.
Life — the gift of the Spirit.
St Bede adds:
“He is the way by example, the truth by teaching, the life by reward.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.20)
Every journey to God begins, proceeds, and ends in Christ.
5. “No One Comes to the Father Except Through Me”
“No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (v. 6)
A statement both exclusive and universal: there is one Mediator, yet open to all.
Christ’s humanity becomes the bridge of divinity.
St Ambrose writes:
“He shuts out false ways, not men; for whoever comes through Him enters freely.”
(On the Faith I.4)
The exclusivity of Christ is the generosity of God: salvation is certain because it rests on one perfect Mediator.
6. “He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father”
“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘He who has seen Me has seen the Father.’” (vv. 8–9)
The desire of the Old Testament — to see God — is now fulfilled.
What Moses could not behold on Sinai, the disciples see in the face of Christ.
St Augustine remarks:
“They saw man and sought God; yet God was before their eyes. The humility of Christ veiled the majesty of the Father.”
(Tractates on John 69.3)
The Son is the perfect image of the invisible God (Col 1:15).
To know Christ is not partial knowledge but true revelation.
7. “Do You Not Believe That I Am in the Father and the Father in Me?”
“The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does His works.” (v. 10)
This is the theology of mutual indwelling — perichoresis — the very mystery of the Trinity.
Christ’s words and deeds are the Father’s revelation.
St Bede explains:
“He speaks not as a servant reporting but as the Word indwelling; the Father’s essence and power are His.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.20)
The Incarnate Word shows that divine unity is not isolation but communion.
8. “He Who Believes in Me Will Do the Works That I Do”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.” (v. 12)
“Greater works” does not mean greater miracles, but wider fruits: the conversion of nations, the spread of the Gospel, the life of the Church.
Through the Spirit, Christ’s ministry continues and multiplies.
St Augustine writes:
“The greater works are spiritual — justification of the ungodly, faith of the Gentiles, hearts rising from death to life.”
(Tractates on John 72.3)
Christ ascends so that His power may descend universally.
9. “Whatever You Ask in My Name”
“Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (v. 13)
To ask “in His name” is not to use a formula, but to align our will with His.
Prayer becomes participation in the divine mission.
St Ambrose comments:
“To pray in His name is to pray according to His mind; such prayer never fails, for it is Christ praying in us.”
(On the Holy Spirit II.13)
Prayer glorifies God when it reproduces Christ’s obedience.
10. The Promise of the Paraclete
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counsellor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth.” (vv. 15–17)
The Spirit is promised as the abiding presence of God after the Ascension.
The first Paraclete is Christ Himself; the Spirit is “another” — equal in divinity, distinct in person.
St Bede the Venerable writes:
“The Son is our Advocate with the Father; the Spirit is our Advocate within us. One pleads above, the other inspires below.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.20)
“Spirit of truth” — He enlightens, strengthens, and sanctifies.
The world cannot receive Him, for He is known only by love.
St Augustine notes:
“The world sees not because it loves not; for the eye of love alone perceives the invisible Spirit.”
(Tractates on John 74.2)
11. “I Will Not Leave You Desolate”
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (v. 18)
Christ’s promise of presence encompasses resurrection, Spirit, and final return.
No Christian is ever orphaned; the Risen Lord abides by His Spirit.
St Ambrose writes:
“He calls them orphans, not because the Father departs, but because the visible Son will depart; yet in the Spirit both come to dwell.”
(On the Holy Spirit II.14)
The Church lives between Ascension and Parousia — never abandoned, always accompanied.
12. “Because I Live, You Also Will Live”
“Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me; because I live, you also will live.” (v. 19)
Resurrection is not only event but promise.
Life flows from the living Lord into His members.
St Augustine comments:
“His life is the cause, ours the effect; He lives that we may live — not only then, but now by faith, hereafter by vision.”
(Tractates on John 75.3)
Eternal life begins in communion with the Risen Christ.
13. “We Will Come to Him and Make Our Home with Him”
“If a man loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (v. 23)
The mutual indwelling of the Trinity extends into the believer.
The Father and the Son dwell by the Spirit in the soul that loves and obeys.
St Bede the Venerable writes:
“The soul that keeps the Word becomes the house of God; what was promised above as heaven is begun below in the heart.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.20)
Heaven begins wherever charity reigns.
St Augustine adds:
“God’s dwelling is not built by hands but by love; if you would prepare Him a house, keep His commandments.”
(Tractates on John 76.4)
14. “The Counsellor Will Teach You All Things”
“The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (v. 26)
Here Christ explicitly reveals the third Person of the Trinity as Teacher of the Church.
Revelation is completed in Christ, but understanding unfolds through the Spirit.
St Ambrose comments:
“The Spirit teaches, not by adding new doctrine, but by engraving the old upon living hearts.”
(On the Holy Spirit II.15)
The Spirit is the living memory of the Church, ensuring fidelity in truth.
15. “Peace I Leave with You”
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” (v. 27)
This is Christ’s last gift before Gethsemane — His peace.
The world’s peace is fragile compromise; His peace is reconciliation with God.
St Augustine writes:
“His peace is Himself; for by Him we are reconciled to the Father, by Him the divided are made one.”
(Tractates on John 77.2)
To possess His peace is to have His presence.
“Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
The chapter ends as it began — faith guarding against fear.
16. “The Father Is Greater Than I”
“If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.” (v. 28)
These words express Christ’s humility in His humanity, not inequality in divinity.
In His divine nature He is equal; in His mission He is subordinate.
St Ambrose clarifies:
“He is less in form of servant, not in form of God; for the Father is greater in sending, not in essence.”
(On the Faith I.10)
This verse, so misused by heretics, actually confirms the two natures of Christ.
17. “The Ruler of This World Is Coming”
“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over Me.” (v. 30)
Satan’s final assault approaches, yet Christ remains sovereign.
His death is not defeat but voluntary offering.
St Bede the Venerable notes:
“He yields to death not by compulsion but by compassion; for He who has all in His hand cannot be taken but gives Himself.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.20)
The Cross will display His obedience:
“But that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father has commanded Me.” (v. 31)
Love is the motive and measure of His Passion.
18. “Rise, Let Us Go Hence”
“Rise, let us go hence.” (v. 31)
The discourse now moves toward the Garden.
Yet the words carry double meaning: physically to Gethsemane, spiritually to mission.
Christ leads His disciples from speech to action — from comfort to courage.
St Augustine concludes:
“He says, ‘Rise,’ to lift them from fear; ‘let us go,’ to lead them to faith; for He never goes without drawing His own with Him.”
(Tractates on John 78.1)
19. Theological Summary
| Theme | Revelation |
| Faith in the troubled heart | Confidence in Christ as God |
| Many rooms | Universal invitation to communion |
| Way, truth, and life | Christ as the complete revelation of God |
| Paraclete promised | The Spirit as divine teacher and comforter |
| Peace of Christ | Gift of reconciliation and abiding presence |
| Trinitarian indwelling | Heaven begun in the loving soul |
St Augustine summarises:
“He goes, yet remains; He leaves, yet abides; He departs in flesh, yet comes in Spirit. Such is the mystery of peace.”
(Tractates on John 77.4)
20. Moral and Spiritual Application
Trust in Christ amid fear. Faith calms the troubled heart.
Remember your heavenly home. Life on earth is pilgrimage toward the Father’s house.
Walk the Way. Follow Christ’s humility; believe His truth; live His life.
Welcome the Paraclete. Pray daily for the Spirit’s guidance and memory.
Live in peace. Forgive quickly; let no bitterness remain in the soul Christ inhabits.
21. Christ the Way to the Father
| Mystery | Fulfilment |
| The Way | Christ’s humanity leading to divinity |
| The Truth | Revelation of the Father in the Son |
| The Life | Gift of the Holy Spirit |
| The Peace | Fruit of reconciliation |
| The Indwelling | Trinity dwelling within the believer |
St Ambrose concludes:
“He leaves us not desolate, for He sends the Spirit; He leaves us not homeless, for He prepares a dwelling; He leaves us not fearful, for He gives His peace.”
(On the Holy Spirit II.17)
22. Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Way, Truth, and Life,
You comforted the fearful and promised the Spirit of peace.
Dwell within our hearts with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
that we may live as Your dwelling place on earth
and find our eternal home in the Father’s house.
Teach us to love, to obey, and to trust,
until faith is turned to sight and peace to glory.
Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 