John 14:24

KJV

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that loveth {G25} me {G3165} not {G3361} keepeth {G5083} not {G3756} my {G3450} sayings {G3056}: and {G2532} the word {G3056} which {G3739} ye hear {G191} is {G2076} not {G3756} mine {G1699}, but {G235} the Father's {G3962} which {G3588} sent {G3992} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Someone who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words — and the word you are hearing is not my own but that of the Father who sent me.

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me.

American Standard Version

He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 14:24 serves as a profound counterpoint within Jesus' Farewell Discourse, asserting that a genuine lack of love for Him is unequivocally demonstrated by a failure to obey His teachings. It further clarifies that the authority of His words is not merely human but directly divine, originating from God the Father who sent Him, thereby imbuing His message with ultimate, non-negotiable authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), a pivotal section where Jesus prepares His disciples for His imminent departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the nature of their ongoing relationship with Him and the Father. Immediately preceding [John 14:24](/john/14-24 "John 14:24 - Love and Obedience") is [John 14:23](/john/14-23 "John 14:23 - The Father and Son's Abode"), where Jesus promises that if anyone loves Him, they will keep His word, and the Father will love them, and "we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Verse 24 functions as the inverse of this promise, highlighting the consequence of *not* loving Him, thereby emphasizing the inseparable link between love and obedience. It reinforces the covenantal nature of their relationship, where faithfulness is expressed through adherence to divine instruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish thought, obedience to God's commands (Torah) was the primary expression of love and covenant faithfulness. The concept of "keeping" God's words was central to their identity and relationship with Yahweh, as seen throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:4-6](/deuteronomy/6-4-6 "Deuteronomy 6:4-6 - The Shema and Love for God")). Jesus, as the Messiah, was not abrogating this principle but fulfilling and reinterpreting it through His own person and teachings. His claim that His words were not His own but the Father's would have resonated with Jewish prophetic tradition, where true prophets spoke only what God commanded (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - A Prophet Like Moses") and [Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "Jeremiah 1:9 - God's Words in Jeremiah's Mouth")). This established His divine authority and continuity with God's redemptive plan.
* **Key Themes:** [John 14:24](/john/14-24 "John 14:24 - Love and Obedience") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **intimate connection between love and obedience**, a recurring motif throughout Jesus' Farewell Discourse, notably stated earlier in [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Keeping Commandments"). This theme establishes that true discipleship is not merely intellectual assent but active submission to Christ's will. Secondly, it highlights the **divine authority of Jesus' words**, emphasizing that His teachings are not His own human wisdom but are the very words of God the Father. This concept is foundational to John's Christology, presenting Jesus as the ultimate revealer of the Father, as seen in passages like [John 12:49-50](/john/12-49-50 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Commands") and [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **unity of the Father and the Son**, demonstrating their shared purpose and message, where Jesus perfectly represents and communicates the Father's will to humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Loveth (Greek, _agapáō'_):** This verb signifies a deep, self-sacrificial, and volitional love, often characterized by action rather than mere emotion. In this context, it describes the highest form of love, which is demonstrated by a commitment to the beloved's will. The absence of this love, therefore, implies a rejection of the relationship and its corresponding obligations.
* **Sayings (Greek, _lógos'_):** While the KJV translates the first instance as "sayings" (plural) and the second as "word" (singular), the underlying Greek word is *logos* (G3056) in both instances, though it appears in its plural form (*logoi*) for "sayings" and singular (*logos*) for "word." This term, *logos*, encompasses not just individual utterances but the entire message, doctrine, or revelation from God. In the singular, especially with the article "the word," it can refer to the comprehensive divine expression or even Christ Himself as the Incarnate Word. Here, it denotes the sum total of Jesus' teachings, commands, and the revelation He embodies.
* **Sent (Greek, _pémpō'_):** This verb means "to dispatch," emphasizing the Father's active role in sending Jesus on a specific mission. It highlights Jesus' divine commission and His role as the Father's authoritative messenger. The one who sends imbues the messenger with their authority, making the messenger's words effectively the sender's words.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings":** This clause establishes a direct and inverse correlation between love for Jesus and obedience to His teachings. It asserts that a professed lack of love for Jesus is not merely an emotional state but manifests as a practical disregard for His commands. Conversely, true love for Christ is inherently demonstrated through active obedience to His "sayings" or teachings. This is not about earning love, but about expressing it; genuine affection for Jesus naturally leads to a desire to honor and follow His instructions.
* **"and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me":** This second clause provides the theological foundation for the first. Jesus clarifies that the message He delivers is not His own independent wisdom or philosophy, but it originates directly from God the Father. The "word" (singular, encompassing His entire message and revelation) that the disciples hear from Jesus is the very word of the Father. This statement underscores Jesus' complete alignment with and submission to the Father's will, and it imbues His teachings with ultimate divine authority. Disobeying Jesus' words is, therefore, tantamount to disobeying God the Father Himself.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Antithesis** and **Assertion of Authority**. The first part of the verse uses **Antithesis** to contrast love with disobedience: "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings." This stark opposition highlights the inseparable link between genuine affection for Christ and practical obedience to His commands. It functions as a negative restatement of the positive truth presented in the preceding verse ([John 14:23](/john/14-23 "John 14:23 - The Father and Son's Abode")). The second part of the verse, "and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me," is an **Assertion of Authority**. Jesus explicitly states the divine origin of His teachings, lending supreme weight and infallibility to His words. This assertion elevates His "sayings" from mere human instruction to divine revelation, making adherence to them a matter of faithfulness to God Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 14:24 is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of Christian discipleship, revealing that authentic love for Christ is not a passive sentiment but an active, obedient response to His divine authority. It underscores the profound unity of purpose and message between the Father and the Son, establishing Jesus as the perfect embodiment and communicator of God's will. This verse challenges believers to recognize that their relationship with Jesus is inherently tied to their willingness to live by His teachings, which are ultimately the very words of God Himself. To disregard Christ's commands is to reject the Father's authority, while embracing them is to walk in divine fellowship.

* [John 8:47](/john/8-47 "Hearing God's Words")
* [Luke 6:46](/luke/6-46 "Why Call Me Lord?")
* [1 John 2:3-5](/1_john/2-3-5 "Knowing God Through Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 14:24 calls us to a profound self-examination regarding the authenticity of our love for Jesus. It challenges the notion that we can claim to love Christ while habitually disregarding His commands or the principles He taught. True love, as defined by Jesus Himself, is demonstrated by a willingness to listen to, internalize, and actively obey His "sayings." This isn't a burdensome legalism, but a joyful response to the One who loved us first. Recognizing that His words are not merely human wisdom but the very words of God the Father should imbue them with immense weight and authority in our lives. Our obedience, therefore, becomes an act of worship, trust, and intimate communion with the Triune God. It shapes our character, guides our decisions, and aligns our lives with divine purpose, leading to a deeper, more transformative relationship with Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I demonstrating a lack of love for Jesus by not keeping His sayings?**
* **How does understanding that Jesus' words are the Father's words change my perspective on their authority and my responsibility to obey them?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to more intentionally align my actions with Jesus' teachings, thereby expressing my love for Him?**

### FAQ
**Does "keepeth not my sayings" imply that perfect obedience is required for salvation or to demonstrate love?**

Answer: No, the verse does not imply perfect obedience for salvation, which is by grace through faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace")). Instead, it speaks to the *orientation* of the heart. A genuine love for Jesus will naturally produce a *desire* to obey and a *pattern* of obedience, even if imperfectly. The emphasis is on the *desire* and *effort* to keep His sayings, recognizing that true love seeks to please the beloved. When we fail, repentance and reliance on God's grace are key, but the overall trajectory of a loving heart is towards conformity to Christ's will. It's about the direction of our lives, not flawless execution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 14:24, though spoken by Jesus Himself, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in His perfect obedience to the Father, which serves as the paradigm for all who would follow Him. Jesus consistently declared that He did nothing of His own accord but only what He saw the Father doing and heard the Father speaking ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Does What He Sees the Father Doing"); [John 8:28](/john/8-28 "John 8:28 - Jesus Does Nothing of Himself")). His entire earthly life was an embodiment of love for the Father expressed through unwavering obedience, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is the ultimate "Word" of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and His "sayings" are therefore the very essence of divine truth and life. Our love for Christ, demonstrated by keeping His sayings, is not merely an imitation of His obedience but a participation in His very life, empowered by the Holy Spirit whom He promised would teach us all things and bring His words to our remembrance ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")). Thus, our obedience to Jesus' words is a reflection of His perfect obedience, drawing us into the very fellowship of the Father and the Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 7:16

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

John 14:10

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 8:42

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

John 14:21

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 3:34

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].

John 5:19

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.