Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

JOHN 14:5KJV
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John 14:5 (KJV)

What does John 14:5 mean?

John 14:5 shows Thomas speaking honestly to Jesus, saying that the disciples do not know where Jesus is going and asking how they can know the way to follow him. This verse highlights the disciples’ confusion and their desire for clear guidance from Jesus about what will happen next.

Thomas is talking directly to Jesus, who has just told his followers that he is going away to prepare a place for them. Thomas’s question reveals that the disciples do not yet understand Jesus’s talk about leaving or the path he is describing. This moment sets up Jesus’s famous response in the next verse, where he explains that he himself is the way.

The Greek behind John 14:5

  • The word "whither" is from ποῦ (pou, transliterated as "whither"), which means "where." Thomas is not just asking about a physical location but expressing a deeper uncertainty about Jesus’s destination and purpose.
  • The word "way" is from ὁδός (hodos, transliterated as "hodos"), meaning "road," "path," or "way." In this context, it can refer both to a literal route and to a way of life or means of access, which becomes important in Jesus’s reply.
  • The verb "know" is from οἶδα (oida, transliterated as "oida"), which carries the sense of knowing by perception or understanding, not just by information. Thomas is saying they do not understand, not just that they lack facts.

Why John 14:5 matters

  • John 14:5 clears up that even Jesus’s closest followers sometimes struggled to grasp his meaning, showing their real confusion and humanity.
  • This verse sets the stage for Jesus’s teaching about himself as "the way," making Thomas’s question essential for the conversation that follows.
  • The verse emphasizes that honest questions are part of faith, as Thomas’s openness leads to deeper teaching from Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“Thomas” Greek G2381 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
  • John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
  • John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

“whither” Greek G4226 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
  • John 16:5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

“goest” Greek G5217 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Mark 6:38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
  • John 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

“way” Greek G3598 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
  • Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.