John 14:28

KJV

¶ Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye have heard {G191} how {G3754} I {G1473} said {G2036} unto you {G5213}, I go away {G5217}, and {G2532} come {G2064} again unto {G4314} you {G5209}. If {G1487} ye loved {G25} me {G3165},{G302} ye would rejoice {G5463}, because {G3754} I said {G2036}, I go {G4198} unto {G4314} the Father {G3962}: for {G3754} my {G3450} Father {G3962} is {G2076} greater than {G3187} I {G3450}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You heard me tell you, ‘I am leaving, and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would have been glad that I am going to the Father; because the Father is greater than I.

Berean Standard Bible

You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.

American Standard Version

Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus reiterates His impending departure and promised return to His disciples, challenging their sorrow by asserting that if they truly loved Him, they would rejoice in His return to the Father. He grounds this joy in the theological truth that the Father is greater than He, signifying the completion of His incarnational mission and His glorious re-entry into the full divine glory He shared with the Father before the world began, a necessary step for the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' profound [Farewell Discourse](/john/13-31-16-33 "John 13:31-16-33 - Jesus' Farewell Discourse"), delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room on the eve of His crucifixion. Chapters 13-17 of John's Gospel capture Jesus' final, intimate teachings designed to comfort, instruct, and prepare His disciples for His physical absence and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The disciples are distraught by His repeated declarations of leaving them (e.g., [John 13:33](/john/13-33 "John 13:33 - Where I go, you cannot come")). Jesus' words in [John 14:1-4](/john/14-1-4 "John 14:1-4 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life") directly precede this verse, where He promises to prepare a place for them and return to take them to Himself. Verse 28 serves as a direct follow-up, reiterating His departure and return, but now reframing it as a cause for joy, not sorrow, by highlighting His destination: the Father.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples, steeped in Jewish messianic expectations, anticipated an earthly king who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and establish a visible kingdom. Jesus' repeated talk of departure and death shattered these expectations, leading to confusion, fear, and profound sorrow. In the master-disciple relationship of that era, a master's departure was often a cause for grief, especially if it meant an end to direct instruction and fellowship. Jesus' statement about going "unto the Father" would have resonated with Jewish concepts of God's dwelling in heaven, but His claim of returning to that divine presence in a glorified state would have been revolutionary and difficult for them to grasp fully before His resurrection and ascension.
* **Key Themes:** [John 14:28](/john/14-28 "John 14:28 - Jesus' Departure and the Father's Greatness") contributes significantly to several key themes within the Farewell Discourse and the broader Gospel of John. The theme of **Jesus' Departure and Return** is paramount, clarifying that His leaving is not abandonment but a necessary step for His glorification and the sending of the Holy Spirit ([John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Advantage of Jesus' Departure")). This leads to the theme of **Love and Obedience**, as Jesus challenges their sorrow by linking their love for Him to their capacity for joy in His divine plan. Their love should move beyond personal attachment to an embrace of God's sovereign will. Finally, the verse introduces a crucial aspect of **Christology and the Trinity**, particularly in the statement "my Father is greater than I." This phrase, often debated, speaks to Jesus' functional subordination during His incarnate mission, where He willingly submitted to the Father's will, rather than an ontological inferiority in His divine nature, which [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - I and the Father are one") clearly affirm.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **agapáō (Greek, _agapáō'_):** This verb, translated "loved" in "If ye loved me," signifies a deep, unconditional, and often sacrificial love, distinct from mere affection or friendship (philéo). Here, Jesus implies that a love for Him, rooted in understanding His divine mission and ultimate glory, should lead to joy in His return to the Father, rather than sorrow over His temporary physical absence. It's a love that prioritizes God's will and the greater redemptive plan.
* **chaírō (Greek, _chaírō'_):** Meaning "to be cheerful" or "to rejoice," this word is used in "ye would rejoice." Jesus is calling His disciples to a joy that transcends their immediate emotional distress. This joy is not a denial of their grief but a spiritual response rooted in the knowledge of His victory, His glorification, and the ultimate fulfillment of His mission by returning to the Father. It is a joy born of faith and understanding of divine purpose.
* **meízōn (Greek, _meízōn'_):** Translated "greater than" in "my Father is greater than I," this adjective is the comparative form of "megas" (great). It denotes superiority in rank, authority, or position, rather than in essence or nature. In the context of Jesus' incarnate state and redemptive mission, He willingly assumed a position of functional subordination to the Father's will, demonstrating perfect obedience. His return to the Father signifies the completion of this mission and His re-entry into full, unhindered glory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you."**: Jesus begins by reminding His disciples of what He has previously communicated, emphasizing the certainty of His departure and the promise of His return. This "going away" refers primarily to His crucifixion and ascension, while His "coming again" encompasses His resurrection, the sending of the Holy Spirit, and ultimately, His second coming. It underscores the cyclical nature of His redemptive work—He leaves to accomplish a greater purpose and returns to gather His own.
* **"If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father:"**: This conditional statement challenges the disciples' current state of sorrow. Jesus implies that their love, if truly understood in its deepest sense, should lead them to rejoice. The reason for this joy is His destination: He is "going unto the Father." This signifies not a defeat, but a triumphant return to His divine origin, a completion of His earthly mission, and His exaltation to the right hand of God. His departure is a glorious homecoming.
* **"for my Father is greater than I."**: This profound theological statement provides the ultimate reason for the disciples' potential joy in Jesus' return to the Father. While Jesus is ontologically equal with the Father in divine nature (as affirmed in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - I and the Father are One")), in His incarnate state, He willingly assumed a position of functional subordination to the Father's will and authority. His return to the Father signifies the successful completion of this mission of humility and obedience, allowing Him to resume the full glory and authority He shared with the Father before the world began. The Father's "greatness" here refers to His position as the source and initiator of the divine plan, to which the Son willingly submitted for the sake of humanity's salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several literary devices to convey His message. **Repetition** is evident as He reminds them, "Ye have heard how I said unto you," reiterating His earlier promises of departure and return. This reinforces the certainty of His words and gently corrects their misunderstanding. The phrase "I go away, and come again unto you" is a form of **chiasmus** or **parallelism**, emphasizing the two movements of His journey. He then uses a **conditional statement** ("If ye loved me, ye would rejoice") to challenge their perspective, implying that their current sorrow is inconsistent with a true understanding of His mission and destiny. This creates a subtle **paradox**: what seems like a loss (His departure) is actually a cause for joy because of its divine purpose and glorious outcome. Finally, the statement "for my Father is greater than I" serves as a **theological rationale**, providing the ultimate, authoritative reason for their rejoicing, rooted in the divine order and the success of His redemptive work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 14:28 stands as a pivotal verse for understanding the person and work of Christ within the Trinitarian framework. The statement "my Father is greater than I" is often misunderstood, but within orthodox Christian theology, it speaks not to an inferiority in divine essence but to a functional subordination in the economy of salvation during Jesus' incarnate ministry. As the Son, Jesus willingly emptied Himself (Philippians 2:7), taking on human form and submitting to the Father's will to accomplish redemption. His return to the Father signifies the completion of this mission, His glorification, and His resumption of full divine glory and authority at the Father's right hand. This verse thus affirms both Jesus' full deity and His perfect obedience, providing the theological basis for the disciples' joy in His ascension and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It assures believers that Christ's departure was not an end but a glorious transition to His exalted state, from which He continues His intercessory work and prepares for His ultimate return.

* [John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Promises to Return")
* [Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus Ascends to Heaven")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, [John 14:28](/john/14-28 "John 14:28 - Jesus' Departure and the Father's Greatness") offers profound comfort and a powerful call to faith-filled perspective. In a world marked by loss, uncertainty, and the pain of separation, Jesus' words remind us that our ultimate joy is not found in the presence of earthly comforts or even the physical presence of loved ones, but in the sovereign plan of God. Jesus’ departure was not an abandonment but a necessary step for His glorification and the sending of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us. Our love for Christ should lead us to rejoice in His victory and reign at the Father's side, trusting that His purposes are always good, even when they involve temporary difficulties or the absence of what we desire. This verse encourages us to cultivate a spiritual joy that looks beyond immediate circumstances to the blessed hope of Christ's promised return and the eternal dwelling He prepares for us. It challenges us to align our emotions with God's perfect will, finding peace and gladness in His ultimate triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' call to "rejoice" in His departure challenge your own understanding of love and loss?**
* **What does Jesus' statement, "my Father is greater than I," teach you about the nature of the Trinity and Christ's humility?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper joy in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem difficult or contrary to your desires?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by "my Father is greater than I"?**

Answer: This statement, found in [John 14:28](/john/14-28 "John 14:28 - Jesus' Departure and the Father's Greatness"), refers to Jesus' functional subordination to the Father during His earthly ministry, not to an inferiority in His divine nature. As the incarnate Son, Jesus willingly took on a role of obedience and submission to the Father's will to accomplish redemption. He was sent by the Father, and His mission was to glorify the Father. In His divine essence, Jesus is fully God and equal with the Father, as affirmed in passages like [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") ("the Word was God") and [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - I and the Father are One") ("I and the Father are one"). Therefore, "greater" here speaks to authority, role, and position within the divine economy of salvation, not to a difference in divine being or essence. His return to the Father signifies the completion of this mission and His re-entry into the full glory He shared with the Father before the world began.

**Why should the disciples rejoice at Jesus' departure if they loved Him?**

Answer: Jesus instructs His disciples to rejoice because His departure to the Father was not a defeat or an abandonment, but a glorious and necessary step in God's redemptive plan. His going meant His glorification ([John 17:5](/john/17-5 "John 17:5 - Jesus' Prayer for Glory")), His ascension to the Father's right hand ([Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus Ascends to Heaven")), and the completion of His atoning work. Furthermore, His departure was a prerequisite for the coming of the Holy Spirit ([John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Advantage of Jesus' Departure")), who would empower them, guide them into all truth, and enable them to continue His work. Their true love for Him, therefore, should lead them to rejoice in His triumph and the benefits that would accrue to them and all believers through His exaltation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 14:28](/john/14-28 "John 14:28 - Jesus' Departure and the Father's Greatness") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the entirety of Jesus' redemptive work. His "going away" culminates in His atoning death on the cross, His glorious resurrection, and His triumphant ascension to the Father's right hand ([Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Heavenly Ministry")). This departure was not an end but the necessary means by which He secured eternal salvation for humanity, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies of a suffering servant and reigning king ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")). His return "unto the Father" signifies His exaltation and resumption of full divine glory and authority, from which He now intercedes for believers ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")) and exercises His kingship over all creation ([Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ's Supremacy")). The "rejoicing" Jesus calls for is the appropriate response to the completed work of Christ, which brings reconciliation with God, the gift of the Holy Spirit ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - The Outpouring of the Spirit")), and the blessed hope of His ultimate second coming to gather His church and establish His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Jesus' Promise to Return")). Thus, Jesus' words point to the glorious reality that His departure paved the way for a deeper, Spirit-empowered relationship with Him and the Father, securing an eternal future for all who believe.

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

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Hebrews 2:15

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

John 14:18

¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 10:29

My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

John 20:21

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;