John 14:20

Analysis & Commentary

At that day (ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ/en ekeinē tē hēmera)—"That day" refers primarily to the resurrection and subsequent coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. After Christ's resurrection, the disciples experienced radical transformation in their understanding. What had been mysterious teaching became living reality. The phrase may also point eschatologically to the day of Christ's return, when knowledge will be complete (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Ye shall know (γνώσεσθε/gnōsesthe)—The future tense indicates coming revelation beyond present understanding. This is γινώσκω (ginōskō), experiential knowledge gained through relationship, not mere intellectual comprehension. The resurrection would provide undeniable proof of Jesus's identity, and the Spirit would illuminate truth, transforming belief into certain knowledge.

That I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you—This threefold statement reveals profound Trinitarian and union-with-Christ theology. First, "I am in my Father" (ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ Πατρί μου/egō en tō Patri mou) declares Jesus's divine nature and essential unity with the Father. Jesus doesn't merely represent God or speak for God; He exists in eternal, mutual indwelling with the Father. This is the relationship Jesus described in 10:30: "I and my Father are one." The preposition ἐν (en, "in") indicates intimate union, not mere cooperation.

Second, "ye in me" (ὑμεῖς ἐν ἐμοί/hymeis en emoi) means believers are united to Christ, incorporated into Him by faith. Paul develops this extensively: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This union is the source of justification (Romans 8:1), sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30), and eternal security (Romans 8:38-39). We are "baptized into Christ" (Galatians 3:27), sharing His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5).

Third, "I in you" (ἐγὼ ἐν ὑμῖν/egō en hymin) reveals Christ indwells believers through the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery Paul proclaimed: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Jesus promised, "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 14:23). The Trinity takes up residence in the believer. This mutual indwelling forms the basis of Christian assurance, power for holiness, and hope of glorification. Our life is "hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

Historical Context

Jesus spoke these words in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion. The disciples were confused and troubled by His talk of departure. Thomas had just confessed, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (14:5). Philip had requested, "Shew us the Father" (14:8). They struggled to grasp Jesus's true identity and His relationship to the Father.

In Jewish theology, God was transcendent—utterly separate from creation, dwelling in unapproachable light. The Shema declared, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Any claim to share God's nature seemed blasphemous. When Jesus claimed unity with the Father (John 10:30), the Jews took up stones to stone Him for blasphemy (10:31-33).

Yet Jesus consistently taught His essential unity with the Father. He declared, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (14:9). His works testified to this union: "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake" (14:11). The resurrection would vindicate these claims, demonstrating Jesus's divine power and authority.

The concept of believers being "in Christ" was unprecedented. Jewish theology emphasized distance between holy God and sinful humanity. The temple system mediated access through priests, sacrifices, and barriers (the veil separating the Holy of Holies). Gentiles were excluded from the inner courts. Yet Jesus promises intimate union—believers in Him, He in them—accessible to all through faith.

This revelation transformed early Christianity. Believers faced persecution, but they possessed assurance: Christ was in them, they were in Christ. Paul's letters return constantly to this theme: "in Christ" appears over 160 times in his epistles. This wasn't mystical absorption into deity but covenant union—believers joined to Christ as bride to bridegroom, branches to vine, members to head.

Questions for Reflection

• What does it mean practically that Christ is 'in the Father,' and how does this affirm His full deity?
• How does being 'in Christ' affect your understanding of justification, sanctification, and eternal security?
• What is the significance of Christ dwelling 'in you' through the Spirit, and how should this shape daily Christian living?
• Why was experiential knowledge of this union delayed until 'that day' (resurrection and Pentecost) rather than taught during Jesus's earthly ministry?
• How does understanding mutual indwelling with Christ transform our approach to prayer, obedience, and spiritual growth?