The Correct Meaning of John 14:1-3 (Part 1)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

What is the meaning of the text above? Does it mean that Jesus was going to prepare a place or accommodation in heaven for His followers? Does it also mean that Christ would come and take believers to heaven after He has finished preparing the place?

Now, to properly understand the text, you need the help of the Spirit of Christ and read it contextually. And you need to start reading from John Chapter 13 in order to identify the audience our Lord was speaking to. We must also read the whole of John Chapter 14.

Now, let’s read the passage again with greater emphasis on the words capitalised: “…In my FATHER’S HOUSE are MANY ROOMS. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare A PLACE for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN and will TAKE YOU TO MYSELF, that WHERE I AM you may be also…”

A careful study of the passage reveals something different from what many have often taught it. Jesus begins in the latter part of John Chapter 13 by telling His disciples about His death and departure to the Father. In John 14:1 He comforts them that their hearts should not be troubled as He would be arrested, killed and eventually leave them on earth.

Jesus then tells them to exercise faith in the Father and also in Him. He, thereafter, tells them about His Father’s house and the many rooms in it. Other versions of the Bible use “mansions” for rooms.

Now, what is the Father’s house, and what are the rooms in it? It must be pointed out that Christ was not referring to a house in heaven in which the saints would go and dwell as it has widely been taught. Remember that Jesus Christ often spoke figuratively.

A careful study of the Bible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit reveals that the FATHER’S HOUSE Jesus talks about refers to the CHURCH of God. Several verses of the Bible confirm this truth.

Here are a few examples: “But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the HOUSE OF GOD, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3: 15). “And having a High Priest over the HOUSE OF GOD…” (Hebrews 10: 21-22).

The house of God in these verses simple refers to the church of God. It is, therefore, wrong for anyone to explain John 14:1-3 to mean that Christ Jesus was going to prepare a place in heaven for His disciples as if heaven needed some reconstruction. Did God have uncompleted building projects in heaven while Jesus was on earth ministering?

And was Jesus returning to heaven to complete those unfinished building projects or create new dwelling places? Even if that was the case, are over 2000 years not enough for Christ to finish preparing the place and return to take His Church? These are some of the critical questions unbelievers ask to ridicule Christ, the Bible and His Church based on this erroneous teaching.

Have we forgotten Jesus Christ stated clearly that the place where believers would go to spend eternity was prepared from the foundation of the world.

“…Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25: 32-34).

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16).

To be Continued…

By James Quansah

Executive Director

(Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre)