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

JOHN 14:29KJV
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John 14:29 (KJV)

What does John 14:29 mean?

John 14:29 records Jesus telling his disciples that he is sharing certain things with them before they happen, so that when these events do take place, they will believe in him. Jesus wants his followers to recognize his foreknowledge and trust him more deeply when his predictions come true.

Jesus is speaking to his closest disciples during the Last Supper, preparing them for his coming death and resurrection. He reassures them that the things he is predicting are not meant to frighten them, but to strengthen their faith when those events unfold. This verse highlights Jesus’ desire for his followers to have confidence in him, especially when facing difficult or confusing times.

The Greek behind John 14:29

  • γίνομαι (ginomai, "pass"): This word is used twice in the verse and means "to happen" or "to come to be." Its repetition emphasizes that Jesus is talking about real, future events that will actually occur.
  • πιστεύω (pisteuō, "believe"): This Greek word means "to believe" or "to have faith." Here, it points to the purpose behind Jesus’ advance warning—he wants his disciples’ trust in him to be strengthened when his words are fulfilled.

Why John 14:29 matters

  • John 14:29 clarifies that Jesus’ predictions are not just warnings, but are meant to build faith by showing that he knows the future.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in John’s Gospel of belief and trust in Jesus, especially in the face of his approaching death.
  • It helps readers understand that Jesus’ foreknowledge is a sign of his authority and identity, offering reassurance to his followers both then and now.

Where else these words appear

“before” Greek G4250 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
  • John 4:49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

“told” Greek G2046 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
  • Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

“when” Greek G3752 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
  • John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

“now” Greek G3568 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
  • Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: