John 14:29

KJV

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} now {G3568} I have told {G2046} you {G5213} before {G4250} it come to pass {G1096}, that {G2443}, when {G3752} it is come to pass {G1096}, ye might believe {G4100}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Also, I have said it to you now, before it happens; so that when it does happen, you will trust.

Berean Standard Bible

And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.

American Standard Version

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 14:29 captures Jesus' intentional revelation of future events to His disciples. During His intimate Farewell Discourse, Jesus explains that He is disclosing His impending departure, suffering, and subsequent glorification, as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit, not to create fear, but to fortify their faith. His divine foresight serves as a foundational assurance, ensuring that when these challenging and pivotal events unfold, the disciples will recall His words and their belief in His identity and mission will be deeply confirmed and strengthened.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' profound Farewell Discourse, spanning [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Betrayal") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). Specifically, it follows Jesus' comforting promises regarding the Holy Spirit, the "Advocate" or "Comforter," who will teach them all things and bring to remembrance all that Jesus has said ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher")). The disciples are deeply troubled by Jesus' announcement of His imminent departure ([John 14:1](/john/14-1 "John 14:1 - Jesus Comforts His Disciples")), and Jesus is preparing them for the shock of His crucifixion and the subsequent vindication through resurrection and the Spirit's coming. Verse 29 acts as a crucial bridge, explaining *why* Jesus is providing these difficult truths and comforting promises: for the strengthening of their faith when the prophesied events come to pass.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Upper Room in Jerusalem, during the Passover meal, shortly before Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. This was a time of immense tension and expectation for the Jewish people, who longed for a Messiah to deliver them from Roman oppression. The disciples, like many Jews, likely held a nationalistic and political understanding of the Messiah's role, expecting Him to establish an earthly kingdom immediately. Jesus' talk of departure, suffering, and a spiritual Comforter would have been profoundly disorienting and counter-cultural to their expectations. In a culture where prophecy was highly valued as a sign of divine authority, Jesus' foretelling of events, particularly His own death and resurrection, was a radical claim, distinguishing Him from human teachers and linking Him directly to the prophetic tradition of Israel, yet transcending it.
* **Key Themes:** John 14:29 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes in John's Gospel. It highlights Jesus' **divine omniscience and authority**, demonstrating His foreknowledge of future events as evidence of His unique relationship with the Father and His divine nature. It underscores the **nature and importance of faith** (Greek: _pistis_), not as a blind leap, but as a reasoned trust built upon the fulfillment of God's revealed word. The verse also speaks to the theme of **divine preparation and comfort** for the disciples, who would soon face profound grief and confusion. By foretelling the events, Jesus provides a framework for understanding the unfolding divine plan, ensuring that their faith would not collapse but would be solidified when they witnessed the fulfillment of His words, including the promise of His return and the coming of the Spirit, as detailed in [John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit and Jesus' Return").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **told (Greek, _eréō_):** This verb signifies to utter, speak, or say. In this context, it emphasizes the deliberate and authoritative nature of Jesus' communication. He is not merely speculating or guessing; He is declaring a truth that originates from His divine knowledge, a characteristic of His prophetic office.
* **come to pass (Greek, _gínomai_):** This versatile verb means "to cause to be," "to become," or "to come into being." Its repetition in the verse ("before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass") highlights the certainty and inevitability of the events Jesus is describing. It underscores that these are not random occurrences but part of a divinely orchestrated plan that will unfold precisely as declared.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō_):** Derived from the word for "faith" (_pistis_), this verb means to have faith in, upon, or with respect to a person or thing; to credit; by implication, to entrust. Here, it denotes a deep, abiding trust and reliance on Jesus, not just intellectual assent to His words, but a confident surrender to His identity and mission, especially when faced with challenging circumstances that might otherwise shake their conviction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now I have told you before it come to pass,"**: Jesus emphasizes the immediacy ("now") and the proactive nature of His revelation. He is giving them advance notice of future events—His crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. This foretelling is a deliberate act of divine disclosure, designed to prepare their hearts and minds for what is to come, preventing shock and despair from utterly overwhelming them.
* **"that, when it is come to pass,"**: This clause introduces the purpose of Jesus' foretelling. The Greek word _hína_ ("that") denotes a purpose or result clause. The repetition of "come to pass" underscores the certainty of these events. Jesus is not speaking hypothetically; He is speaking of events that are guaranteed to unfold. The "when" (Greek _hótan_) implies that while the timing is certain, the disciples will need to recall His words at that specific moment of fulfillment.
* **"ye might believe."**: This is the ultimate goal and the profound spiritual outcome of Jesus' revelation. Their belief is not a static intellectual assent but a dynamic, deepening trust in Him as the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Lord. When they witness the fulfillment of His prophecies—especially His resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit—their faith, which might have wavered during His death, would be powerfully confirmed and solidified, transforming their understanding and commitment.

#### Literary Devices
John 14:29 primarily employs **Foreshadowing** and a **Purpose Clause**. Jesus' declaration serves as a clear instance of **Foreshadowing**, where future events (His death, resurrection, and the Spirit's coming) are revealed in advance. This technique builds anticipation and provides a framework for understanding subsequent narrative developments. The phrase "that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe" functions as a **Purpose Clause**, explicitly stating the divine intention behind Jesus' revelation. This highlights the pedagogical and faith-building nature of His discourse. Furthermore, the verse is part of a larger **Divine Discourse**, where Jesus, as the incarnate Word, speaks with ultimate authority and insight into the Father's plan, underscoring His unique identity and mission. The subtle **Irony** is that while the disciples hear these words, their full comprehension and unwavering belief will only come *after* the events have transpired, illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 14:29 profoundly illustrates the nature of divine prophecy and its role in strengthening human faith. Jesus, as the omniscient Son, reveals future events not to merely display His foreknowledge, but to establish a firm foundation for His disciples' belief. This act underscores God's sovereignty over history and His faithfulness to His word. The fulfillment of prophecy, whether in the immediate context of Jesus' resurrection and the Spirit's arrival or in the broader sweep of biblical history, serves as undeniable evidence of God's truthfulness and the reliability of His promises. This divine strategy ensures that faith is not a blind leap, but a confident trust built upon the verifiable actions and declarations of God Himself.

* [Isaiah 46:9-10](/isaiah/46-9-10 "Isaiah 46:9-10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Luke 24:25-27](/luke/24-25-27 "Luke 24:25-27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")
* [2 Peter 1:19-21](/2_peter/1-19-21 "2 Peter 1:19-21 - The Reliability of Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, John 14:29 offers immense comfort and a powerful anchor for faith in a world often marked by uncertainty and chaos. Just as Jesus prepared His disciples for the trials and triumphs ahead, God continues to speak to us through His Word, providing wisdom, guidance, and prophetic insights into His ultimate plan. When we observe the fulfillment of biblical prophecies—whether historical, eschatological, or personal—our confidence in God's faithfulness and sovereignty is profoundly strengthened. This verse encourages us to actively engage with God's revealed truth, allowing it to shape our understanding of current circumstances and future hopes. It reminds us that even when life's events seem overwhelming or contradictory to our expectations, God's perfect plan is unfolding, and His word will ultimately prove true. Our call is to trust Him, remembering His past faithfulness as we await the full realization of His promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' practice of foretelling events strengthen your own faith in God's sovereignty and faithfulness?**
* **Can you recall instances in your life where God's promises, perhaps seemingly impossible, "came to pass," and how did that impact your belief?**
* **In what ways can a deeper understanding of biblical prophecy and its fulfillment help you navigate current challenges or uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus tell His disciples about future events before they happened?**

Answer: Jesus told His disciples about future events, such as His death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, primarily to strengthen their faith. He knew that these events, particularly His crucifixion, would be deeply unsettling and potentially faith-shaking for them. By foretelling them, Jesus provided a divine framework for understanding. When these challenging and pivotal moments actually "came to pass," the disciples would recall His words and recognize that these were not random tragedies or failures, but part of God's sovereign plan, precisely as Jesus had declared. This fulfillment would then serve as powerful confirmation of Jesus' divine identity, His authority, and the truthfulness of His mission, solidifying their belief in Him. It was an act of pastoral care, preparing them for the profound shifts that were about to occur in their understanding of the Messiah and His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 14:29 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the embodiment of all prophecy and the supreme object of faith. His words, "And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe," point directly to His unique role as the one who declares and fulfills God's eternal plan. The events He foretold—His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension—are the very core of the Gospel message, culminating in His triumph over sin and death, as celebrated in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message"). The "coming to pass" of these events, witnessed by the disciples and recorded in the New Testament, served as the irrefutable proof of His messianic claims and divine authority, leading to the explosive growth of the early church, whose members "believed" in Him ([Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Acts 2:41 - Believers Added to the Church")). Furthermore, the promise of the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" or "Advocate" ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher")), was fulfilled at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")), enabling believers across all generations to truly understand and place their faith in Christ, for "no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 12:3](/1_corinthians/12-3 "1 Corinthians 12:3 - Confessing Jesus as Lord")). Thus, Jesus' prophetic words in John 14:29 are not just about future events, but about His own identity as the faithful Prophet-King whose words are truth and whose work establishes the very foundation of saving faith.

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 13:19

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].

John 16:4

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

John 16:31

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

Matthew 24:24

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:25

Behold, I have told you before.