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.

JOHN 14:3KJV
Know the Bible

John 14:3 (KJV)

What does John 14:3 mean?

John 14:3 records Jesus telling his disciples that his departure will not leave them apart from him forever. He promises to come back and bring them to himself, so that they can be with him where he is.

Jesus is speaking to his close followers during his final meal with them. After speaking of preparing a place in verse 2, he describes how they will reach him: he himself will come for them.

The Greek behind John 14:3

  • “place” — τόπος (topos): This word means a place or location. Here it points back to the room Jesus has spoken of in his Father’s house in verse 2.
  • “receive” — παραλαμβάνω (paralambanō): This word can carry the sense of taking someone along with oneself. Jesus describes personally bringing his followers to be with him.

Why John 14:3 matters

  • Jesus presents his leaving and coming back as connected. The words “if I go and prepare” lead into his promise, “I will come again.”
  • The destination is described in personal terms. Jesus says “where I am,” making his presence the defining feature of where his followers will be.
  • The promise responds to the disciples’ concern about his departure. Earlier, Peter had asked, “Lord, where goest thou?” and Jesus had said Peter could not follow him then, but would follow afterward (John 13:36).

Where else these words appear

“myself” Greek G1683 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

“prepare” Greek G2090 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
  • John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

“receive” Greek G3880 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
  • Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

“be” Greek G5600 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
  • John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?