John 14:28
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
2 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ὑπάγω
I go away
G5217
Ὑπάγω
I go away
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
6 of 28
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχομαι
come
G2064
ἔρχομαι
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
8 of 28
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
again unto
G4314
πρὸς
again unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
9 of 28
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἐχάρητε
ye would rejoice
G5463
ἐχάρητε
ye would rejoice
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
14 of 28
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
πορεύομαι
I go
G4198
πορεύομαι
I go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
18 of 28
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
πρὸς
again unto
G4314
πρὸς
again unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
19 of 28
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
Father
G3962
πατὴρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
21 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
22 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
Father
G3962
πατὴρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
24 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Cross References
John 14:18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.John 13:16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.John 20:21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.John 20:17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.1 Corinthians 11:3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.John 16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.1 Peter 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:Isaiah 53:11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.Matthew 12:18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.John 5:18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Historical Context
This statement came during the Upper Room Discourse before crucifixion. Jesus was preparing disciples for His departure while affirming His unity with the Father (John 14:9-11). Early church councils (Nicaea 325, Constantinople 381) clarified that 'greater' refers to Jesus's voluntary human state, not inequality within the Trinity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Jesus's voluntary submission during incarnation reconcile this verse with His full deity?
- What does it mean to love Christ rightly—rejoicing in His glorification rather than selfishly wanting His physical presence?
- How should Christians use this verse apologetically when confronted by those who deny Christ's deity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you—Jesus reminds them of His previous teaching (14:3). If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I (εἰ ἠγαπᾶτέ με ἐχάρητε ἄν, ὅτι πορεύομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, ὅτι ὁ πατὴρ μείζων μού ἐστιν, ei ēgapate me echarēte an, hoti poreuomai pros ton patera, hoti ho patēr meizōn mou estin)—This verse requires careful exegesis. My Father is greater than I (ὁ πατὴρ μείζων μού ἐστιν, ho patēr meizōn mou estin) doesn't deny Jesus's deity but acknowledges His voluntary subordination during incarnation (Philippians 2:6-8). The Father is 'greater' (μείζων, meizōn) positionally, not ontologically—Jesus temporarily submitted to human limitations during His earthly ministry.
Jesus says if they loved Him properly, they'd rejoice at His return to glory rather than grieve His departure. His going to the Father means: completed atonement, resumed glory, and sent Spirit (John 16:7). Arians and Jehovah's Witnesses misuse this verse to deny Christ's deity, but context shows Jesus speaks of His mediatorial office during incarnation, not His essential nature (Colossians 2:9).