Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: John 14:5 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 14:5	King James	Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
We know not whither thou goest - Though Jesus had so often told them of his approaching death and resurrection, yet it seems they did not understand him, nor did they fully comprehend him until after his resurrection. See Luk 24:21. They entertained the common notions of a temporal kingdom; they supposed still that he was to be an earthly prince and leader, and they did not comprehend the reason why he should die. Thomas confessed his ignorance, and the Saviour again patiently explained his meaning. All this shows the difficulty of believing when the mind is full of prejudice and of contrary opinions. If Thomas had laid aside his previous opinions - had he been willing to receive the truth as Jesus plainly spoke it, there would have been no difficulty. Faith would have been an easy and natural exercise of the mind. And so with the sinner. If he were willing to receive the plain and unequivocal doctrines of the Bible, there would be no difficulty; but his mind is full of opposite opinions and plans, occupied with errors and vanities, and these are the reasons, and the only reasons, why he is not a Christian. Yet who would say that, after the plain instructions of Jesus, Thomas might not have understood him? And who will dare to say that any sinner may not lay aside his prejudices and improper views, and receive the plain and simple teaching of the Bible?

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

We know not whither thou goest - Though Jesus had so often told them of his approaching death and resurrection, yet it seems they did not understand him, nor did they fully comprehend him until after his resurrection. See Luk 24:21. They entertained the common notions of a temporal kingdom; they supposed still that he was to be an earthly prince and leader, and they did not comprehend the reason why he should die. Thomas confessed his ignorance, and the Saviour again patiently explained his meaning. All this shows the difficulty of believing when the mind is full of prejudice and of contrary opinions. If Thomas had laid aside his previous opinions - had he been willing to receive the truth as Jesus plainly spoke it, there would have been no difficulty. Faith would have been an easy and natural exercise of the mind. And so with the sinner. If he were willing to receive the plain and unequivocal doctrines of the Bible, there would be no difficulty; but his mind is full of opposite opinions and plans, occupied with errors and vanities, and these are the reasons, and the only reasons, why he is not a Christian. Yet who would say that, after the plain instructions of Jesus, Thomas might not have understood him? And who will dare to say that any sinner may not lay aside his prejudices and improper views, and receive the plain and simple teaching of the Bible?

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
And how can we know (καὶ πῶς δυνάμεθα τὴν ὁδὸν εἰδέναι) The best texts substitute οἴδαμεν, know we, for δυνάμεθα, can we; reading, how know we the way. So Rev. Some also omit and before how.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

And how can we know (καὶ πῶς δυνάμεθα τὴν ὁδὸν εἰδέναι)

The best texts substitute οἴδαμεν, know we, for δυνάμεθα, can we; reading, how know we the way. So Rev. Some also omit and before how.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Thomas saith - Taking him in a gross sense.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Thomas saith - Taking him in a gross sense.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Lord, we know not - Thomas, perhaps, thought that our Lord only spoke of his going some distance from the place where he then was.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Lord, we know not - Thomas, perhaps, thought that our Lord only spoke of his going some distance from the place where he then was.

Top