NIV Translation of John 14:31 Including "But He Comes"
John 14:31 (NIV) reads, "but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave" [1]. This verse concludes a section of Jesus' farewell discourse to his disciples, emphasizing his obedience to the Father and preparing them for his departure.
The phrase "but the world must learn that I love the Father" highlights Jesus' motivation for his impending actions. His love for the Father is not merely an internal sentiment but is demonstrated through his obedience [5]. This obedience is central to his mission, as he states, "I do exactly what my Father has commanded me" [1]. This echoes other New Testament passages where Jesus emphasizes his submission to the Father's will, such as John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease" [2]. The "world" here refers not to all humanity in general, but specifically to those who are brought to faith in Christ, the "world of God's elect" [5].
The command "Come now; let us leave" signals a transition in the narrative. While some interpretations suggest this refers to leaving the upper room where they had been, it more broadly indicates a move towards the events of Gethsemane and the crucifixion [1]. This departure marks the beginning of the fulfillment of the Father's command, through which Jesus' love for the Father will be made manifest to the world [5]. The urgency in "Come now" (or "Get up" in some translations [1]) underscores the immediacy of the events that are about to unfold.
The broader context of John 14 includes Jesus' promises of the Holy Spirit and his assurance to the disciples that they know the way to the Father [1]. The discourse emphasizes themes of love, obedience, and the coming of the Spirit, all of which are interconnected. Jesus' statement in John 14:21, "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me," further reinforces the link between love and obedience, a theme also found in Deuteronomy and 1 John [3]. The phrase "he that shall come will come" in Hebrews 10:34, referring to Christ's coming, also carries a sense of divine appointment and fulfillment, similar to Jesus' declaration of doing what the Father commanded [4].
Sources
- John “John 14:31 (BBE) — But he comes so that the world may see that I have love for the Father, and that I am doing as I am ordered by the Father. Get up, and let us go.”
- John “John 3:30 (NASB) — "He must increase, but I must decrease.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “John 14:21 cross-references: Genesis 26:3, Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 11:13, Deuteronomy 30:6, 2 Kings 18:6, Psalms 35:27, Psalms 119:4, Isaiah 62:2, Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:25, Zephaniah 3:17, Luke 11:28, John 14:15, John 14:18, John 14:22, John 15:9, John 15:14, John 16:14, John 16:27, John 17:23, Acts 18:9, Acts 22:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 12:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Timothy 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:22, James 2:23, 1 John 1:1, 1 John 2:5, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:18, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 1:6, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 3:20, R”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:34: For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come,.... That the person spoken of is the Lord Jesus Christ, is evident from the prophecy in Hab 2:3 here referred to, and from the character of him that is to come, Mat 11:3 and from parallel places, Jam 5:7 and this is to be understood, not of his coming in the flesh, for he was come in the flesh already; though Habakkuk indeed refers to his first coming, yet not to that only, but including his second coming also; but of his coming in his kingdom and power to destroy Jerusalem, and take vengeance on the Jews, fo”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 14:31: But that the world may know,.... Not the wicked and unbelieving world, but the world of God's elect, such as are brought to believe in Christ: that I love the Father; Christ must needs love the Father, as being of the same nature and essence with him, and as standing in the relation of a son to him; he loved all that the Father loves, and approved of all his purposes, counsels, and determinations, concerning himself and the salvation of his people; and therefore he voluntarily laid down his life for them: and as the Father gave me commandment, so I do: as a son is ”