John 16:27

KJV

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} the Father {G3962} himself {G846} loveth {G5368} you {G5209}, because {G3754} ye {G5210} have loved {G5368} me {G1691}, and {G2532} have believed {G4100} that {G3754} I {G1473} came out {G1831} from {G3844} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

Berean Standard Bible

For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.

American Standard Version

for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 16:27 offers a profound declaration from Jesus, assuring His disciples that God the Father holds a direct, personal love for them. This intimate affection from the Father is explicitly linked to the disciples' own genuine love for Jesus and their steadfast belief in His divine origin and unique relationship with God. This verse serves as a powerful source of comfort and a cornerstone for understanding the intimate, reciprocal nature of the divine-human relationship established through Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' Farewell Discourse, spanning [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Jesus Washes Feet") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). Delivered in the upper room on the night before His crucifixion, this discourse is Jesus' final, extended teaching to His disciples, preparing them for His physical departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges they would face. Specifically, [John 16:27](/john/16-27 "John 16:27 - The Father's Love for Disciples") follows Jesus' explanation in [John 16:26](/john/16-26 "John 16:26 - Praying in Jesus' Name") that in the coming era, they would pray directly to the Father in Jesus' name, and Jesus would not need to *ask* the Father on their behalf in the same way, because the Father Himself already loves them. This transition underscores a new level of direct access and intimacy with God the Father, mediated not by a constant intercession but by an established, inherent divine love.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples were in a state of deep confusion and distress, grappling with the impending reality of Jesus' departure. Their understanding of God's relationship with humanity was largely framed by the Old Covenant, where access to God was often mediated through priests, sacrifices, and the Temple system. The idea of the Creator of the universe having a direct, personal "love" (phileo, a tender affection) for individual believers, without the need for constant human intercession, would have been revolutionary and immensely comforting. Furthermore, Jesus' assertion "I came out from God" challenged conventional Jewish messianic expectations, emphasizing His unique divine nature and origin, which was a stumbling block for many but foundational for His true followers.
* **Key Themes:** [John 16:27](/john/16-27 "John 16:27 - The Father's Love for Disciples") powerfully encapsulates several core themes woven throughout Jesus' Farewell Discourse and the broader Gospel of John. Firstly, it highlights the **intimate and personal nature of God the Father's love** for His people, emphasizing that this love is not merely a general benevolence but a direct, affectionate regard. Secondly, it underscores the **reciprocal relationship between divine love and human response**, showing that the Father's love is extended to those who have genuinely [loved Jesus and believed in His divine origin](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Love for Jesus and the Father's Love"). This reciprocal dynamic is a hallmark of the New Covenant. Lastly, the verse strongly reaffirms **Jesus' divine identity and unique relationship with the Father**, solidifying the foundational truth that He is truly "from God," a concept central to the entire Gospel's Christology, as seen in passages like [John 1:1-18](/john/1 "John 1 - The Word Became Flesh").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **loveth (Greek, _philéō'_):** This term (G5368) denotes a tender, affectionate love, akin to the love between friends or family members. Unlike _agapáō_ (G25), which signifies a broader, unconditional, and often self-sacrificial love, _philéō_ emphasizes personal attachment and sentiment. Its use here for both the Father's love for the disciples and the disciples' love for Jesus highlights a shared, intimate affection, suggesting a responsive and relational bond.
* **came out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This verb (G1831), meaning "to issue forth" or "to go out from," strongly emphasizes Jesus' origin and source. It is not merely a physical departure but signifies a divine procession or mission, underscoring that Jesus' very being and purpose originate directly from God the Father. This phrase affirms His pre-existence and divine commission.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** This noun (G2316) refers to the supreme Divinity, the ultimate Creator and Ruler of the universe. In this context, "from God" signifies the divine realm, emphasizing Jesus' unique and unparalleled relationship with the divine essence. It asserts His divine nature and authority, distinguishing Him from mere human prophets or teachers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the Father himself loveth you,"**: This opening clause emphasizes the directness and personal nature of God the Father's affection. The inclusion of "himself" (Greek: _autós_) intensifies the statement, assuring the disciples that God's love for them is not merely mediated through Jesus' intercession, but is an inherent, active disposition from the Father's own heart. It signifies a profound, unmerited, and intimate divine regard for those who are in Christ.
* **"because ye have loved me,"**: This specifies the first reason or condition for the Father's direct love. The disciples' genuine, affectionate love (phileo) for Jesus is presented not as a meritorious act that earns God's love, but as a responsive relationship that aligns them with the Father's will and heart. Their personal attachment to Jesus is recognized and reciprocated by the Father.
* **"and have believed that I came out from God."**: This provides the second, equally crucial reason. The disciples' intellectual and spiritual assent to Jesus' divine origin and unique identity is foundational. Their faith in Jesus as truly God incarnate, sent directly from the Father, is a prerequisite for experiencing this direct, intimate love from God. This belief signifies a true understanding and acceptance of who Jesus is, beyond merely a human teacher or prophet.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Causality** is explicitly established through the use of "because," clearly linking the Father's love to the disciples' love and belief in Jesus. This creates a logical and theological framework for understanding the divine-human relationship. **Emphasis** is achieved through the phrase "the Father *himself*," which underscores the direct, unmediated nature of God's love, moving beyond the need for constant intercession for the disciples' sake. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Reciprocity**, highlighting a dynamic exchange: the disciples' love for Jesus and faith in His divine origin are met with the Father's personal love for them. This reciprocal pattern reflects the relational core of the Christian faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 16:27 stands as a powerful testament to the New Covenant reality of direct access to God and the profound intimacy available to believers. It redefines the relationship between God and humanity, moving beyond a distant, transactional dynamic to one of personal, affectionate love. This verse assures believers that their love for Jesus and their faith in His divine identity are not only pleasing to God but are the very grounds upon which the Father extends His direct, personal affection. It underscores the Trinitarian unity in salvation, where the Father's love is expressed through the Son, and our response to the Son brings us into the Father's embrace. This direct love empowers believers to approach God with confidence, knowing they are cherished children, not distant subjects.

* [John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Love for Jesus and the Father's Love")
* [1 John 4:19](/1_john/4-19 "1 John 4:19 - We Love Because He First Loved Us")
* [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 16:27 offers immense comfort and a profound sense of security for every believer. To know that the Creator of the universe, the Almighty Father, personally "loves" you with a tender, affectionate love – not merely a general benevolence – transforms one's understanding of their standing before God. This verse invites us to rest in the assurance that our relationship with God is not precarious or dependent on our perfect performance, but is rooted in our genuine love for Jesus and our belief in who He is. It emboldens us to approach God in prayer with confidence, knowing that He delights in us because we delight in His Son. This truth should ignite a deeper love for Jesus within us, knowing that our affection for Him is deeply valued by the Father, and it should strengthen our conviction in Jesus' divine identity, which is the very foundation of our faith and our relationship with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does knowing that "the Father himself loveth you" personally impact your daily walk with God and your sense of security in Him?**
* **In what tangible ways do you express your love for Jesus, and how does your belief in His divine origin shape your understanding of your faith?**
* **Considering the Father's direct love for you, how might this truth transform your approach to prayer and your expectations of God's responsiveness?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus saying "the Father himself loveth you" rather than simply stating that the Father loves them through Him?**

Answer: The phrase "the Father himself loveth you" (KJV) or "the Father himself loves you" (NIV/ESV) is profoundly significant because it emphasizes the direct, unmediated, and personal nature of God the Father's affection for believers. While Jesus is indeed the mediator who makes access to the Father possible, this statement assures the disciples that the Father's love for them is not merely a consequence of Jesus' intercession, but an inherent, active disposition. It suggests a new level of intimacy in the New Covenant, where believers are brought into a direct, loving relationship with God the Father, based on their relationship with His Son. This means believers can approach [God's throne of grace with confidence](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence"), knowing they are personally cherished by the Father, not just tolerated or accepted through a proxy.

**What is the distinction between the Greek words _philéō_ and _agapáō_ for "love" in this context, and why is _philéō_ used here?**

Answer: The Greek language has multiple words for "love," with _philéō_ (φιλέω) and _agapáō_ (ἀγαπάω) being two prominent ones. _Agapáō_ (often transliterated as _agape_) typically denotes a broader, unconditional, self-sacrificial, and volitional love, often associated with God's divine, initiating love for humanity, as seen in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"). _Philéō_ (often transliterated as _phileo_), used in [John 16:27](/john/16-27 "John 16:27 - The Father's Love for Disciples"), describes a tender, affectionate, and personal love, akin to friendship or familial fondness. Its use here for both the Father's love for the disciples and the disciples' love for Jesus highlights a shared, responsive affection. It suggests that the Father's love for those who love Jesus is a personal, intimate delight, a relational warmth that reciprocates their own affection for His Son. This choice of word emphasizes the personal bond and mutual sentiment within the divine-human relationship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 16:27, while a direct declaration of the Father's love, is profoundly Christ-centered in its fulfillment. Jesus Himself is the very reason and means by which this direct, intimate love from the Father is extended to humanity. The clause "because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God" explicitly links the Father's affection to the Son. It is through Jesus' incarnation—His coming "out from God" to dwell among us—that humanity gains access to the Father's heart. His life, death, and resurrection reconcile us to God, making us adopted children and heirs. Without Jesus, this direct, personal love would remain inaccessible due to sin. He is the "way, the truth, and the life," and no one comes to the Father except through Him ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus Is the Way")). Thus, Jesus is not merely the messenger of the Father's love; He is the living embodiment and the very foundation of that love, making it possible for us to be deeply cherished by God, not because of our own merit, but because of our faith in Him and His finished work on the cross ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Our access to the Father's direct love is a testament to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Christ.

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 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 17:23

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

John 21:15

¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

John 21:17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

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.