John 14:23-29

John 14:23-29
With thanks to page sponsor:
Rev. Dennis A. Walker
Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Commack, NY
a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit: Peace.
- "Spirit Under Trial," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
- Chapter IX, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
- XLVI.3-9; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
- II.XXVIII.7, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter XXVIII, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
- Chapter I, On The Veiling of Virgins, Tertullian (c. 205)
- II.8, To His Wife, Tertullian (c. 206)
- Chapter VIII, Chapter XIV, Chapter XXIV, Against Praxeas, Tertullian (c. 213)
- I.I.2, I.III.4, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- VI.1, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
- VIII.XIV, VIII.XVIII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
- On the Unity of the Church, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
- From Augustine's Tractates on John: Tractate 76 (14:22-24); Tractate 77 (14:25-27); Tractate 78 (14:27, 28); Tractate 79 (14:29-31).
- Sermon for Pentecost Sunday, John 14:23-31, Martin Luther, c. 1525.
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "All true comfort and peace comes to us by Christ alone."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "Peace is put for all good, and Christ has left us all that is really and truly good, all the promised good; peace of mind from our justification before God."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "Lord, evermore give us this peace! How serenely may we pass through the most turbulent scenes of life, when all is quiet and harmonious within! Thou hast made peace through the blood of thy cross. May we give all diligence to preserve the inestimable gift inviolate, till it issue in everlasting peace!"
- "The Comforter," John 14:26, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1855.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "Many a legacy is "left" that is never "given" to the legatee, many a gift destined that never reaches its proper object. But Christ is the Executor of His own Testament; the peace He "leaves" He "gives"; Thus all is secure."
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
  - "Their desire that he should not go away was due, in part at least, to selfish motives."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary, John 14:23-29, Karyn Wiseman, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
  - "When Jesus departs from his disciples, there will be significant changes and this text makes a promise that despite this fact the disciples will not be left alone."
- "Home Alone?" Alyce M McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2013.
  - "This verse from the Gospel of John describes how we are to prepare our homes to host a guest who is going to take up residence within our lives: Jesus, in relationship with the Spirit and the Father."
- "Commands and Promises," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2013.
- "Table Talk," Katie Munnik, Presbyterian Record, 2013.
- "Stealth Insight and a Special Place," D Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2013.
  - "Pay close attention to the etymology of the verb ???????? (which I snagged from greattreasures.org). If the prefix ?? implies “stealth,” then this disclosure of the paraclete to the one who loves Jesus and keeps his word is an unseen, perhaps even uncanny, remembrance of Jesus’ teaching."
- "The Advocate," Nancy Rockwell, A Bite in the Apple, 2013.
  - "Jesus bids us all to become leaves on the branches of the kingdom Tree, which he says God is, he is, and we are: a Tree that shelters birds of every feather."
- "A Peace of Marvel," Rick Morley, 2013.
  - "Because the peace of Jesus has soaked us to the bone, and nothing can wring it out."
- Pulpit Fiction, podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
- "Not As the World Gives," MaryAnn McKibben Dana, The Hardest Question, 2013.
  - "Jesus' Farewell and the Gift of Peace."
- Preaching John 14:23-29, Debra Mumford, Lectionary Homiletics, 2013.
  - "Though this text has many possibilities, the grace and peace at work provide wonderful theological underpinnings for any sermon."
- Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 14:23-29, David Ewart, 2013.
  - "There are probably at least 3 ways to misunderstand John. One is to treat each of: following, loving, and abiding; as if they were separate and distinct pieces. These things are all of a whole; you cannot selectively choose only one part: 'I'll have the love of Jesus please, but hold the keeping the commandments.'"
- Jesus' Gift of Peace, Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013.
  - "It seems to me that simply opening our eyes to how God is working among us and through us might just be a way to experience something of the peace Jesus offers now. What do you think?"
- "Being Judas," Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2013.
- Comentario del San Juan 14:8-17 [25-27], Nancy Elizabeth Bedford, Working Preacher, 2013.
- Commentary, John 14:23-29, Mary Hinkle Shore, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
  - "In the last evening he spends with the disciples before his death, Jesus tries to show them two elements of reality that are difficult to hold together: he is going away, yet he will not leave them orphaned."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Easter 6, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "John must have been aware that the impending depression which would strike the disciples for ?a little while? between Good Friday and Easter morning would strike their successors often."
- Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
  - "Whenever I see the word "peace" (eirene), I think that it needs to be interpreted first in a communal aspect -- the way people get along with one another, rather than in an individual sense of inner tranquility. However, the inner sense might be implied in this verse which goes on with the command, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." So it may have a sense of the inner feelings (of the community) in this verse."
- "Enough," Mary Hinkle, Pilgrim Preaching: Keeping Company with Biblical texts and the people who hear and preach them.
  - "The story demonstrates what "enough" means, even when, in the midst of it, we think that time or some other commodity is running out. Jesus, by means of his Holy Spirit, finds time, place, love and life enough for all of us."
- Promise of the Holy Spirit, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
- "Peace for Troubled Times," David Lose, WorkingPreacher, 2010.
  - "I suspect, on the whole, that there are probably two view of the religious life. Both acknowledge that this world we share is full of tumults and challenges, of sometimes seismic ups and downs. One view of the life of faith assumes that when you come to faith, things settle down, stop shaking, and make suddenly sense. The other view of faith, however, doesn't promise an end to the tremors but enables you to keep your footing amid them."
- Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
  - "Taking the two strands--the secular use and Hebrew use--we arrive at a definition for parakletos that combines the concepts of help and comfort."
- Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
- "The Turn in the Path," Suzanne Guthrie, The Christian Century, 2001. Religion Online.
  - "The temple is the Lord God almighty dwelling within us."
- The Presence of the Paraclete, Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John: Bearing Witness to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Paul S. Berge, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
  - "We go in the peace of the empowering word of the Son as he goes to the Father, and we go in the empowering work of the Paraclete, the one who is called to walk beside us."
- Sixth Sunday of Easter, The Church in Mission: Gospel Texts for the Sundays of Easter (Series C), Duane A. Olson, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
  - "We are made to participate in the divine life by the One who has given us peace, has sent the Spirit, the counselor, and who will bring us into that dwelling."
- Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, John 14:23-29, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
- "Incomplete and Imperfect," Expository Essay, John 14:23-28, Dr. William R. Long.
  - "Praise God for our incompleteness; let's yearn for further filling."
- "'We Will Come to Him and Make Our Abode with Him,'" \ Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
  - "The incredible news of Jesus is that not only is a place prepared for us with God; but God, through the Holy Spirit, is willing to come to our place when we love like Jesus loved ? when we keep his word."
- "Who Will Take Care of Us?" James C. Somerville, The Christian Century, 1998. At Religion Online.
  - "When I teach the Gospel of John, I usually tell my students that a paraclete is the one whose name you call when you are hauled into court on false charges, when the school bully is beating you up on the playground, when you wake up from a bad dream in the middle of the night. A paraclete is the one who comes to your defense, your rescue, your comfort, and Jesus has done that for his disciples. But now another paraclete will serve that function. As Fred Craddock puts it: 'The Holy Spirit will do for the Church what Jesus has done for the disciples.'"
- "The Holy Spirit Will Teach You Everything," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- Lectionary Commentary and Preaching Paths (Easter C6), by Dennis Bratcher, at The Christian Resource Institute.
  - "A Preaching Path closer to the setting of the passage in John?s Gospel and in the Johannine community would lead to hearing the passage from the perspective of the needs of the church."
- "Facing the Future: A Prescription for Peace (John 14)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
  - "The outcome of Jesus? words should be faith, the corrective to fear. Since the Lord Jesus has promised peace, they need not face the future with timidity and trepidation (verse 27)."
- "The Theological Message of John 14:15-31," Greg Herrick, Biblical Studies Foundation.
  - "Jesus has confidence in God's plan and power (13:3) and knows that God is in control."
Articles & Background:
- "We Believe in the Holy Spirit," Georgia Harkness, Chapter 3 in Beliefs That Count, 1961. At Religion Online.
  - "We must repent not once, but many times; for life is a continuing battle against sin even after its power has been broken by the divine mercy and forgiveness. In the famous words of Martin Luther, the Christian is simul justus et peccator (at the same time justified and a sinner). And in this quickening of the soul to repentance the Holy Spirit speaks."
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Bammel, Ernst, "The Farewell Discourse of the Evangelist John and Its Jewish Heritage," Tyndale Bulletin, 1993.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Beasley- Murray, George R., "John 13-17: The Community of True Life," Review & Expositor, 1988.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Berge, Paul S., "Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John: Bearing Witness to Father, Son and Holy Spirit," Word & World, 1998.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Cowan, Christopher, "The Father and Son in the Fourth Gospel: Johannine Subordination Revisited," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2006.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Domeris, "The Paraclete as an Ideological Construct: A Study in the Farewell Discourses," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1989.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Guthrie, Suzanne, "The Turn in the Path," The Christian Century, 2001.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Hesselink, I. John, "Expository Article: John 14:23-29," Interpretation, 1989.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Jeske, Richard L., "Expository Article: John 14:27 and 16:33," Interpretation, 1984.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Jones, L. Gregory, "Taking Time for the Spirit," The Christian Century, 1992.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Kelly, Caroline M., "I Am Still With You," sermon, Journal for Preachers, 2002.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Lacomara, Aelred, "Deuteronomy and the Farewell Discourse (John 13:31 - 16:33)," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1974.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Olson, Duane A., "The Church in Mission: Gospel Texts for the Sundays after Easter (Series C)," Word & World, 1995.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Segovia, Fernando F., "The Structure, Tendenz, and Sitz im Leben of John 13:31-14:31," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1985.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Somerville, James G., "Who Will Take Care of Us?" The Christian Century, 1998.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Stagg, Frank, "The Farewell Discourses," Review & Expositor, 1965.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Welker, Michael, "The Holy Spirit," Theology Today, 1989.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Woll, D. Bruce, "The Departure of 'The Way': The First Farewell Discourse in the Gospel of John," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1980.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Reviews:
- Review: L. Scott Kellum, The Unity of the Farewell Discourse: The Literary Integrity of John 13.31-16.33. T&T Clark, 2004. Review by Joseph Matos in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
- Review: George L. Parsenios, Departure and Consolation: The Johannine Farewell Discourse in Light of Greco-Roman Literature. Brill, 2005. Review by Jan van der Watt, Review of Biblical Literature, 2007.
Sermons:
- Peace the World Cannot Give, Silverius Galvan, 2013. Click through to lectionary page, gospel page, then find section 3. Click through "log in". Many gospel resources at this page are offered free this week.
- How Can They Do That? -- Sermon for Easter 6 based on John 14:23-29 by John N. Brittain from SermonSuite.
- "Taking Care of the Moment," Easter VI (Rogate), 16 May 2004, David Zersen, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
- "God's Spirit: Enabling US to Be Who We Are," the Rev. Dr. Isaiah Jones, Day 1, 2001.
- "The Father Is Still Living In Me," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
  - Easter 6, 2010
  - Easter 6, 2008
  - Easter 6, 2007
  - Easter 6, 2005
  - Easter 6, 2004
  - Easter 6, 2001
  - Easter 6, 1999
  - Easter 6, 1999 (Dr. Mary G. Durkin, alternate story for Mother's Day)
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Easter 6C, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2013.
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," May 5, 2013, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: John 14:23-29 and Kisses on the Wind by Lisa Moser.
- "Jesus Promises to Send the Holy Spirit," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- Crossword on John 13 & 14, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
Drama:
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art Images: John 14:23-29, John 14:23-29 #2, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- John 14:23-29 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 14:23, 26, 27. The Cyber Hymnal.
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Peace
Study Pages for Parallel Passages
Study Links and Resources for the Book of John