John 14:3

KJV

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} if {G1437} I go {G4198} and {G2532} prepare {G2090} a place {G5117} for you {G5213}, I will come {G2064} again {G3825}, and {G2532} receive {G3880} you {G5209} unto {G4314} myself {G1683}; that {G2443} where {G3699} I {G1473} am {G1510}, there ye {G5210} may be {G5600} also {G2532}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also.

Berean Standard Bible

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

American Standard Version

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 14:3 stands as a profound promise from Jesus to His disciples, delivered during His Farewell Discourse, assuring them of His eventual return to gather them to Himself. This verse offers immense comfort and hope, articulating that His departure is not an abandonment but a purposeful act of preparation for their eternal dwelling, culminating in an unbreakable, eternal fellowship with Him. It underscores the certainty of His Second Coming and the ultimate destiny of believers to share in His presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), delivered to His disciples in the upper room on the night before His crucifixion. It immediately follows Jesus' comforting words in [John 14:1](/john/14-1 "John 14:1 - Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled"), where He urges them not to be troubled, and His declaration in [John 14:2](/john/14-2 "John 14:2 - In My Father's House Are Many Rooms") that in His Father's house are "many mansions" (or rooms), and that He is going to prepare a place for them. The disciples are distressed by Jesus' announcement of His impending departure (John 13:33), and this promise serves as a direct antidote to their fear and anxiety, shifting their focus from immediate loss to future hope and reunion. The entire discourse is designed to prepare them for His absence, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges they will face, all grounded in the certainty of His return and their ultimate union with Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, particularly around the time of Jesus, it was a common practice for a young man, upon becoming engaged, to leave his fiancée's home and return to his father's house. There, he would spend a significant period, often a year or more, preparing a living space for his future bride. This preparation often involved adding new rooms or building an annex onto his father's existing dwelling. Once the preparations were complete and approved by his father, the bridegroom would then return, often with a celebratory procession, to claim his bride and bring her back to the prepared home. This cultural custom provides a rich backdrop for Jesus' words, casting Him as the divine Bridegroom preparing a dwelling for His church, His beloved bride. His departure (ascension) and promised return resonate deeply with this familiar imagery, offering His disciples a tangible and comforting framework for understanding His mysterious words.
* **Key Themes:** John 14:3 contributes significantly to several major themes in John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Providence and Care**, showing Jesus' active work on behalf of His followers even in His absence. Secondly, it highlights the **Certainty of the Second Coming**, providing one of the clearest statements of Jesus' physical return to earth. Thirdly, and perhaps most profoundly, it emphasizes the theme of **Eternal Fellowship with Christ**. The ultimate promise is not merely a place, but the perpetual presence of Christ with His people, fulfilling the desire for intimate communion expressed throughout Scripture, from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, where God will dwell with His people (as seen in [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling Among Humanity")). This verse also speaks to the **Hope of Heaven** and the **Future Consummation of God's Plan**, assuring believers of a glorious, eternal destiny that transcends earthly suffering and loss, echoing the hope found in passages like [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope, an Inheritance Kept in Heaven").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prepare (Greek, _hetoimázō_):** This word (G2090) means "to make ready, to make preparations for." It implies a deliberate, purposeful, and active work. Jesus is not idly waiting, but actively engaged in ensuring that everything is set for the arrival of His disciples. This preparation speaks to His sovereign control and loving provision for His own.
* **come again (Greek, _érchomai pálin_):** The combination of _érchomai_ (G2064, to come or go) and _pálin_ (G3825, anew, back, once more) forms an unambiguous statement of future arrival and repetition. It underscores the certainty and physical nature of Jesus' return. This is not a spiritual or metaphorical coming, but a literal, personal return to fulfill His promise.
* **receive (Greek, _paralambánō_):** This verb (G3880) means "to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation)." It conveys the idea of taking someone alongside, into close fellowship or companionship. It's an intimate act, signifying not just a transfer of location but a welcoming into personal presence and relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if I go and prepare a place for you":** This clause establishes the condition and purpose of Jesus' immediate departure. His "going" refers to His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The purpose of this departure is not abandonment but active preparation. The "place" (Greek, _tópos_, G5117) refers to a specific location, a dwelling, which Jesus, as the divine architect and host, is making ready for His followers in the Father's house. This implies a future reality, a heavenly dwelling, uniquely prepared for them.
* **"I will come again, and receive you unto myself":** This is the core promise of the verse. "I will come again" (Greek, _érchomai pálin_) is a direct and certain declaration of His Second Coming. The purpose of this return is "to receive you unto myself" (Greek, _paralambánō hymâs prós emautoû_). This signifies a personal, intimate gathering, where Jesus personally takes His disciples to be with Him. It emphasizes the relational aspect of salvation and future hope – it's not just a destination, but a reunion with Christ Himself.
* **"that where I am, [there] ye may be also":** This final clause states the ultimate goal and blessed outcome of His return. The "that" (Greek, _hína_, G2443) introduces the purpose or result. The desire of Jesus is for His disciples to share His very presence and location. The emphasis is on fellowship and co-existence with Christ. The eternal hope of believers is not merely a place of comfort, but the unending, intimate presence of their Lord.

#### Literary Devices
John 14:3 is rich in **Promise** and **Assurance**, serving as a direct antidote to the disciples' fear and sorrow. Jesus' "I will come again" is a definitive declaration, instilling certainty in an uncertain time. The entire verse functions as a divine **Covenantal Oath**, a solemn pledge from God to His people. Furthermore, the verse employs powerful **Symbolism**, particularly when understood in light of the Jewish wedding customs. Jesus, the divine Bridegroom, departs to prepare a dwelling for His bride (the Church) in His Father's house, promising to return and "receive" her to Himself. This imagery evokes themes of love, faithfulness, and ultimate union. The phrase "where I am, there ye may be also" is an expression of **Intimacy** and **Fellowship**, highlighting that the ultimate blessing is not just a place, but the shared presence with Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 14:3 is foundational to Christian eschatology and the doctrine of heaven. It assures believers that their ultimate destiny is not merely a disembodied state but a glorious, prepared dwelling in the presence of Christ. This promise grounds the Christian hope in the person and work of Jesus, emphasizing that salvation culminates in eternal fellowship with Him. It connects the present reality of faith and discipleship to a future certainty, providing comfort in suffering and motivation for perseverance. The "place" Jesus prepares is not just a physical location, but a state of perfect communion, reflecting the very heart of God's desire for His creation – to dwell with humanity.

* [Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - The Promise of Jesus' Return")
* [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17](/1_thessalonians/4-16-17 "1 Thessalonians 4:16-16 - The Lord's Descent and Our Gathering")
* [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven, New Earth, God with Humanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 14:3 offers profound comfort and enduring hope to believers across all generations. In a world fraught with uncertainty, loss, and the pain of separation, Jesus' promise stands as an anchor for the soul. It reminds us that our earthly dwelling is temporary and that a glorious, eternal future awaits us in the very presence of Christ. This promise should instill a deep, abiding peace in our hearts, dispelling anxiety and fear about the future. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our true home and ultimate belonging are not found in this fleeting world but in the secure, prepared dwelling with our Lord. This hope should motivate us to live lives worthy of our calling, to persevere through trials, and to joyfully share this certain hope with a world desperately searching for meaning and security.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of Jesus' return and preparation of a place impact your daily anxieties and fears?**
* **In what ways does this verse deepen your understanding of the nature of heaven and your ultimate hope as a believer?**
* **How might living with an "eternal perspective," as encouraged by this verse, change your priorities and actions today?**

### FAQ

**What kind of "place" is Jesus preparing for believers?**

Answer: The "place" (Greek, _tópos_) Jesus is preparing is not merely a physical location in the way we understand earthly dwellings, but a prepared dwelling within the Father's house, signifying a state of perfect, eternal communion and secure belonging. While it implies a real, tangible dwelling, the emphasis is on the **presence** of Christ and the **fellowship** with Him. It is a place of ultimate rest, joy, and unbroken relationship with God, free from sin, suffering, and death. This "place" is intrinsically linked to the New Heaven and New Earth, the New Jerusalem, where God will dwell among His people, as described in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth"). It is a place of perfect peace and fulfillment, prepared by Christ Himself, ensuring that believers will be eternally with Him, sharing in His glory and presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 14:3 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the preparer of the place and the ultimate destination. His "going" refers directly to His atoning death on the cross, His glorious resurrection, and His ascension into heaven, where He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). This ascension is not an abandonment but the very act of "preparing a place" for us, signifying His ongoing priestly ministry and sovereign rule. The promise "I will come again" points directly to His Second Coming, the glorious return of Christ to gather His elect, consummate His kingdom, and bring about the new creation ([Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man's Coming")). The phrase "receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" encapsulates the very heart of the Gospel: God's desire for intimate, eternal fellowship with humanity, realized through Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and through Him, we gain access to the Father and an eternal dwelling in His presence. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - Promise of the Holy Spirit")), serves as the down payment and guarantee of this future inheritance, indwelling believers and making them temples of God, already participating in the divine presence that will be fully realized when Christ returns to bring them home ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - The Seal of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, John 14:3 is a promise rooted in Christ's past work, secured by His present intercession, and guaranteed by His future return, all leading to the eternal, glorious presence of God with His redeemed people.

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

1 Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

John 12:26

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.

2 Timothy 2:12

If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

Acts 1:11

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Romans 8:17

¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.