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Selected Verse: John 14:2 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 14:2	Strong Concordance	In [1722] my [3450] Father's [3962] house [3614] are [1526] many [4183] mansions [3438]: if it were not [1490] so, I would have told [302] [2036] you [5213]. I go [4198] to prepare [2090] a place [5117] for you [5213].
	King James	In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
In my Father's house are many mansions--and so room for all, and a place for each. if not, I would have told you--that is, I would tell you so at once; I would not deceive you. I go to prepare a place for you--to obtain for you a right to be there, and to possess your "place."

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

In my Father's house are many mansions--and so room for all, and a place for each.

if not, I would have told you--that is, I would tell you so at once; I would not deceive you.

I go to prepare a place for you--to obtain for you a right to be there, and to possess your "place."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
In my Father's house - Most interpreters understand this of heaven, as the special dwelling-place or palace of God; but it may include the universe, as the abode of the omnipresent God. Are many mansions - The word rendered "mansions" means either the act of dwelling in any place (Joh 14:23, "we will make our abode with him"), or it means the place where one dwells. It is taken from the verb to remain, and signifies the place where one dwells or remains. It is applied by the Greek writers to the tents or temporary habitations which soldiers pitch in their marches. It denotes a dwelling of less permanency than the word house. It is commonly understood as affirming that in heaven there is ample room to receive all who will come; that therefore the disciples might be sure that they would not be excluded. Some have understood it as affirming that there will be different grades in the joys of heaven; that some of the mansions of the saints will be nearer to God than others, agreeably to Co1 15:40-41. But perhaps this passage may have a meaning which has not occurred to interpreters. Jesus was consoling his disciples, who were affected with grief at the idea of his separation. To comfort them he addresses them in this language: "The universe is the dwelling-place of my Father. All is his house. Whether on earth or in heaven, we are still in his habitation. In that vast abode of God there are many mansions. The earth is one of them, heaven is another. Whether here or there, we are still in the house, in one of the mansions of our Father, in one of the apartments of his vast abode. This we ought continually to feel, and to rejoice that we are permitted to occupy any part of his dwelling-place. Nor does it differ much whether we are in this mansion or another. It should not be a matter of grief when we are called to pass from one part of this vast habitation of God to another. I am indeed about to leave you, but I am going only to another part of the vast dwelling-place of God. I shall still be in the same universal habitation with you; still in the house of the same God; and am going for an important purpose - to fit up another abode for your eternal dwelling." If this be the meaning, then there is in the discourse true consolation. We see that the death of a Christian is not to be dreaded, nor is it an event over which we should immoderately weep. It is but removing from one apartment of God's universal dwelling-place to another - one where we shall still be in his house, and still feel the same interest in all that pertains to his kingdom. And especially the removal of the Saviour from the earth was an event over which Christians should rejoice, for he is still in the house of God, and still preparing mansions of rest for His people. If it were not so ... - I have concealed from you no truth. You have been cherishing this hope of a future abode with God. Had it been ill founded I would have told you plainly, as I have told you other things. Had any of you been deceived, as Judas was, I would have made it known to you, as I did to him." I go to prepare a place for you - By his going is meant his death and ascent to heaven. The figure here is taken from one who is on a journey, who goes before his companions to provide a place to lodge in, and to make the necessary preparations for their entertainment. It evidently means that he, by the work he was yet to perform in heaven, would secure their admission there, and obtain for them the blessings of eternal life. That work would consist mainly in his intercession, Heb 10:12-13, Heb 10:19-22; Heb 7:25-27; Heb 4:14, Heb 4:16. That where I am - This language could be used by no one who was not then in the place of which he was speaking, and it is just such language as one would naturally use who was both God and man - in reference to his human nature, speaking of his going to his Father; and in reference to his divine nature, speaking as if he was then with God. Ye may be also - This was language eminently fitted to comfort them. Though about to leave them, yet he would not always be absent. He would come again at the day of judgment and gather all his friends to himself, and they should be ever with him, Heb 9:28. So shall all Christians be with him. And so, when we part with a beloved Christian friend by death, we may feel assured that the separation will not be eternal. We shall meet again, and dwell in a place where there shall be no more separation and no more tears.

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

In my Father's house - Most interpreters understand this of heaven, as the special dwelling-place or palace of God; but it may include the universe, as the abode of the omnipresent God.

Are many mansions - The word rendered "mansions" means either the act of dwelling in any place (Joh 14:23, "we will make our abode with him"), or it means the place where one dwells. It is taken from the verb to remain, and signifies the place where one dwells or remains. It is applied by the Greek writers to the tents or temporary habitations which soldiers pitch in their marches. It denotes a dwelling of less permanency than the word house. It is commonly understood as affirming that in heaven there is ample room to receive all who will come; that therefore the disciples might be sure that they would not be excluded. Some have understood it as affirming that there will be different grades in the joys of heaven; that some of the mansions of the saints will be nearer to God than others, agreeably to Co1 15:40-41. But perhaps this passage may have a meaning which has not occurred to interpreters.

Jesus was consoling his disciples, who were affected with grief at the idea of his separation. To comfort them he addresses them in this language: "The universe is the dwelling-place of my Father. All is his house. Whether on earth or in heaven, we are still in his habitation. In that vast abode of God there are many mansions. The earth is one of them, heaven is another. Whether here or there, we are still in the house, in one of the mansions of our Father, in one of the apartments of his vast abode. This we ought continually to feel, and to rejoice that we are permitted to occupy any part of his dwelling-place. Nor does it differ much whether we are in this mansion or another. It should not be a matter of grief when we are called to pass from one part of this vast habitation of God to another. I am indeed about to leave you, but I am going only to another part of the vast dwelling-place of God. I shall still be in the same universal habitation with you; still in the house of the same God; and am going for an important purpose - to fit up another abode for your eternal dwelling." If this be the meaning, then there is in the discourse true consolation. We see that the death of a Christian is not to be dreaded, nor is it an event over which we should immoderately weep. It is but removing from one apartment of God's universal dwelling-place to another - one where we shall still be in his house, and still feel the same interest in all that pertains to his kingdom. And especially the removal of the Saviour from the earth was an event over which Christians should rejoice, for he is still in the house of God, and still preparing mansions of rest for His people.

If it were not so ... - I have concealed from you no truth. You have been cherishing this hope of a future abode with God. Had it been ill founded I would have told you plainly, as I have told you other things. Had any of you been deceived, as Judas was, I would have made it known to you, as I did to him."

I go to prepare a place for you - By his going is meant his death and ascent to heaven. The figure here is taken from one who is on a journey, who goes before his companions to provide a place to lodge in, and to make the necessary preparations for their entertainment. It evidently means that he, by the work he was yet to perform in heaven, would secure their admission there, and obtain for them the blessings of eternal life. That work would consist mainly in his intercession, Heb 10:12-13, Heb 10:19-22; Heb 7:25-27; Heb 4:14, Heb 4:16.

That where I am - This language could be used by no one who was not then in the place of which he was speaking, and it is just such language as one would naturally use who was both God and man - in reference to his human nature, speaking of his going to his Father; and in reference to his divine nature, speaking as if he was then with God.

Ye may be also - This was language eminently fitted to comfort them. Though about to leave them, yet he would not always be absent. He would come again at the day of judgment and gather all his friends to himself, and they should be ever with him, Heb 9:28. So shall all Christians be with him. And so, when we part with a beloved Christian friend by death, we may feel assured that the separation will not be eternal. We shall meet again, and dwell in a place where there shall be no more separation and no more tears.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
House (οἰκίᾳ) The dwelling-place. Used primarily of the edifice (Mat 7:24; Mat 8:14; Mat 9:10; Act 4:34). Of the family or all the persons inhabiting the house (Mat 12:25; Joh 4:53; Co1 16:15; Mat 10:13). Of property (Mat 23:14; Mar 12:40). Here meaning heaven. Mansions (μοναὶ) Only here and Joh 14:23. From μένω to stay or abide. Originally a staying or abiding or delay. Thus Thucydides, of Pausanias: "He settled at Colonae in Troas, and was reported to the Ephors to be negotiating with the Barbarians, and to be staying there (τὴν μονὴν ποιούμενος, Literally, making a stay) for no good purpose" (i., 131). Thence, a staying or abiding-place; an abode. The word mansion has a similar etymology and follows the same course of development, being derived from manere, to remain. Mansio is thus, first, a staying, and then a dwelling-place. A later meaning of both mansio and μονή is a halting-place or station on a journey. Some expositors, as Trench and Westcott, explain the word here according to this later meaning, as indicating the combination of the contrasted notions of progress and repose in the vision of the future. This is quite untenable. The word means here abodes. Compare Homer's description of Priam's palace: "A palace built with graceful porticoes, And fifty chambers near each other, walled With polished stone, the rooms of Priam's sons And of their wives; and opposite to these Twelve chambers for his daughters, also near Each other; and, with polished marble walls, The sleeping-rooms of Priam's sons-in-law And their unblemished consorts." "Iliad," vi., 242-250. Godet remarks: "The image is derived from those vast oriental palaces, in which there is an abode not only for the sovereign and the heir to the throne, but also for all the sons of the king, however numerous they may be." If it were not so, I would have told you (εἰ δὲ μὴ εἶπον ἂν ὑμῖν). Wyc., If anything less, I had said to you. I go to prepare, etc. Many earlier interpreters refer I would have told you to these words, and render I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. But this is inadmissible, because Jesus says (Joh 14:3) that He is actually going to prepare a place. The better rendering regards if it were not so, I would have told you, as parenthetical, and connects the following sentence with are many mansions, by means of ὅτι, for or because, which the best texts insert. "In my Father's house are many mansions (if it were not so, I would have told you), for I go to prepare a place for you." I go to prepare Compare Num 10:33. Also Heb 6:20, "whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus." A place (τόπον) See on Joh 11:48. The heavenly dwelling is thus described by three words: house, abode, place.

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

House (οἰκίᾳ)

The dwelling-place. Used primarily of the edifice (Mat 7:24; Mat 8:14; Mat 9:10; Act 4:34). Of the family or all the persons inhabiting the house (Mat 12:25; Joh 4:53; Co1 16:15; Mat 10:13). Of property (Mat 23:14; Mar 12:40). Here meaning heaven.

Mansions (μοναὶ)

Only here and Joh 14:23. From μένω to stay or abide. Originally a staying or abiding or delay. Thus Thucydides, of Pausanias: "He settled at Colonae in Troas, and was reported to the Ephors to be negotiating with the Barbarians, and to be staying there (τὴν μονὴν ποιούμενος, Literally, making a stay) for no good purpose" (i., 131). Thence, a staying or abiding-place; an abode. The word mansion has a similar etymology and follows the same course of development, being derived from manere, to remain. Mansio is thus, first, a staying, and then a dwelling-place. A later meaning of both mansio and μονή is a halting-place or station on a journey. Some expositors, as Trench and Westcott, explain the word here according to this later meaning, as indicating the combination of the contrasted notions of progress and repose in the vision of the future. This is quite untenable. The word means here abodes. Compare Homer's description of Priam's palace:

"A palace built with graceful porticoes,

And fifty chambers near each other, walled

With polished stone, the rooms of Priam's sons

And of their wives; and opposite to these

Twelve chambers for his daughters, also near

Each other; and, with polished marble walls,

The sleeping-rooms of Priam's sons-in-law

And their unblemished consorts."

"Iliad," vi., 242-250.

Godet remarks: "The image is derived from those vast oriental palaces, in which there is an abode not only for the sovereign and the heir to the throne, but also for all the sons of the king, however numerous they may be."

If it were not so, I would have told you (εἰ δὲ μὴ εἶπον ἂν ὑμῖν).

Wyc., If anything less, I had said to you.

I go to prepare, etc.

Many earlier interpreters refer I would have told you to these words, and render I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. But this is inadmissible, because Jesus says (Joh 14:3) that He is actually going to prepare a place. The better rendering regards if it were not so, I would have told you, as parenthetical, and connects the following sentence with are many mansions, by means of ὅτι, for or because, which the best texts insert. "In my Father's house are many mansions (if it were not so, I would have told you), for I go to prepare a place for you."

I go to prepare

Compare Num 10:33. Also Heb 6:20, "whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus."

A place (τόπον)

See on Joh 11:48. The heavenly dwelling is thus described by three words: house, abode, place.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
In my Father's house are many mansions - Enough to receive both the holy angels, and your predecessors in the faith, and all that now believe, and a great multitude, which no man can number.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
In my Father's house, etc. - The kingdom of glory. Many mansions - Though I have said before that whither I am going ye cannot come now, yet do not think that we shall be for ever separated. I am going to that state of glory where there is not only a place of supreme eminence for myself, but also places for all my disciples; - various degrees of glory, suited to the various capacities and attainments of my followers. Our Lord alludes here to the temple, which was called the house of God, in the precincts of which there were a great number of chambers, Kg1 6:5; Ezr 8:29; Jer 35:2, Jer 35:4; Jer 36:10. If - not - I would have told you - If your places were not prepared in the kingdom of God, I would not have permitted you to have indulged a vain hope concerning future blessedness.

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²⁸ So [3779] Christ [5547] was once [530] offered [4374] to [1519] bear [399] the sins [266] of many [4183]; and unto them that look [553] for him [846] shall he appear [3700] [1537] the second time [1208] without [5565] sin [266] unto [1519] salvation [4991].

¹⁶ Let us [4334] therefore [3767] come [4334] boldly [3326] [3954] unto the throne [2362] of grace [5485], that [2443] we may obtain [2983] mercy [1656], and [2532] find [2147] grace [5485] to help [996] in [1519] time of need [2121].

¹⁴ Seeing [2192] then [3767] that we have [2192] a great [3173] high priest [749], that is passed into [1330] the heavens [3772], Jesus [2424] the Son [5207] of God [2316], let us hold fast [2902] our profession [3671].

²⁵ Wherefore [3606] he is able [1410] also [2532] to save them [4982] to [1519] the uttermost [3838] that come [4334] unto God [2316] by [1223] him [846], seeing he ever [3842] liveth [2198] to [1519] make intercession [1793] for [5228] them [846].
²⁶ For [1063] such [5108] an high priest [749] became [4241] us [2254], who is holy [3741], harmless [172], undefiled [283], separate [5563] from [575] sinners [268], and [2532] made [1096] higher than [5308] the heavens [3772];
²⁷ Who [3739] needeth [2192] [318] not [3756] daily [2596] [2250], as [5618] those high priests [749], to offer up [399] sacrifice [2378], first [4386] for [5228] his own [2398] sins [266], and then [1899] for the people's [2992]: for [1063] this [5124] he did [4160] once [2178], when he offered up [399] himself [1438].

¹⁹ Having [2192] therefore [3767], brethren [80], boldness [3954] to [1519] enter [1529] into the holiest [39] by [1722] the blood [129] of Jesus [2424],
²⁰ By a new [4372] and [2532] living [2198] way [3598], which [3739] he hath consecrated [1457] for us [2254], through [1223] the veil [2665], that is to say [5123], his [846] flesh [4561];
²¹ And [2532] having an high [3173] priest [2409] over [1909] the house [3624] of God [2316];
²² Let us draw near [4334] with [3326] a true [228] heart [2588] in [1722] full assurance [4136] of faith [4102], having [4472] our hearts [2588] sprinkled [4472] from [575] an evil [4190] conscience [4893], and [2532] our bodies [4983] washed [3068] with pure [2513] water [5204].

¹² But [1161] this man [846], after he had offered [4374] one [3391] sacrifice [2378] for [5228] sins [266] for [1519] ever [1336], sat down [2523] on [1722] the right hand [1188] of God [2316];
¹³ From henceforth [3063] expecting [1551] till [2193] his [846] enemies [2190] be made [5087] his [846] footstool [5286] [4228].

⁴⁰ There are also [2532] celestial [2032] bodies [4983], and [2532] bodies [4983] terrestrial [1919]: but [235] [3303] the glory [1391] of the celestial [2032] is one [2087], and [1161] the glory of the terrestrial [1919] is another [2087].
⁴¹ There is one [243] glory [1391] of the sun [2246], and [2532] another [243] glory [1391] of the moon [4582], and [2532] another [243] glory [1391] of the stars [792]: for [1063] one star [792] differeth from [1308] another star [792] in [1722] glory [1391].

²³ Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], If [1437] a man [5100] love [25] me [3165], he will keep [5083] my [3450] words [3056]: and [2532] my [3450] Father [3962] will love [25] him [846], and [2532] we will come [2064] unto [4314] him [846], and [2532] make [4160] our abode [3438] with [3844] him [846].

⁴⁸ If [1437] we let [863] him [846] thus [3779] alone [863], all [3956] men will believe [4100] on [1519] him [846]: and [2532] the Romans [4514] shall come [2064] and [2532] take away [142] both [2532] our [2257] place [5117] and [2532] nation [1484].

²⁰ Whither [3699] the forerunner [4274] is [1525] for [5228] us [2257] entered [1525], even Jesus [2424], made [1096] an high priest [749] for [1519] ever [165] after [2596] the order [5010] of Melchisedec [3198].

³³ And they departed [05265] from the mount [02022] of the LORD [03068] three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870]: and the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285] of the LORD [03068] went [05265] before [06440] them in the three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870], to search out [08446] a resting place [04496] for them.

³ And [2532] if [1437] I go [4198] and [2532] prepare [2090] a place [5117] for you [5213], I will come [2064] again [3825], and [2532] receive [3880] you [5209] unto [4314] myself [1683]; that [2443] where [3699] I [1473] am [1510], there ye [5210] may be [5600] also [2532].

⁴⁰ Which devour [2719] widows [5503]' houses [3614], and [2532] for a pretence [4392] make [4336] long [3117] prayers [4336]: these [3778] shall receive [2983] greater [4055] damnation [2917].

¹⁴ Woe [3759] unto you [5213], scribes [1122] and [2532] Pharisees [5330], hypocrites [5273]! for [3754] ye devour [2719] widows [5503]' houses [3614], and [2532] for a pretence [4392] make [4336] long [3117] prayer [4336]: therefore [1223] [5124] ye shall receive [2983] the greater [4055] damnation [2917].

¹³ And [2532] if [1437] [3303] the house [3614] be [5600] worthy [514], let your [5216] peace [1515] come [2064] upon [1909] it [846]: but [1161] if [3362] it be [5600] not [3362] worthy [514], let your [5216] peace [1515] return [1994] to [4314] you [5209].

¹⁵ [1161] I beseech [3870] you [5209], brethren [80], (ye know [1492] the house [3614] of Stephanas [4734], that [3754] it is [2076] the firstfruits [536] of Achaia [882], and [2532] that they have addicted [5021] themselves [1438] to [1519] the ministry [1248] of the saints [40],)

⁵³ So [3767] the father [3962] knew [1097] that [3754] it was at [1722] the same [1565] hour [5610], in [1722] the which [3739] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto him [846], [3754] Thy [4675] son [5207] liveth [2198]: and [2532] himself [846] believed [4100], and [2532] his [846] whole [3650] house [3614].

²⁵ And [1161] Jesus [2424] knew [1492] their [846] thoughts [1761], and said [2036] unto them [846], Every [3956] kingdom [932] divided [3307] against [2596] itself [1438] is brought to desolation [2049]; and [2532] every [3956] city [4172] or [2228] house [3614] divided [3307] against [2596] itself [1438] shall [2476] not [3756] stand [2476]:

³⁴ Neither [3761] [1063] was [5225] there any [5100] among [1722] them [846] that lacked [1729]: for [1063] as many as [3745] were [5225] possessors [2935] of lands [5564] or [2228] houses [3614] sold them [4453], and brought [5342] the prices [5092] of the things that were sold [4097],

¹⁰ And [2532] it came to pass [1096], as Jesus [2424] sat at meat [345] in [1722] the house [3614], [2532] behold [2400], many [4183] publicans [5057] and [2532] sinners [268] came [2064] and sat down [4873] with him [846] and [2532] his [846] disciples [3101].

¹⁴ And [2532] when Jesus [2424] was come [2064] into [1519] Peter's [4074] house [3614], he saw [1492] his [846] wife's mother [3994] laid [906], and [2532] sick of a fever [4445].

²⁴ Therefore [3767] whosoever [3956] [3748] heareth [191] these [5128] sayings [3056] of mine [3450], and [2532] doeth [4160] them [846], I will liken [3666] him [846] unto a wise [5429] man [435], which [3748] built [3618] his [846] house [3614] upon [1909] a rock [4073]:

¹⁰ Then read [07121] Baruch [01263] in the book [05612] the words [01697] of Jeremiah [03414] in the house [01004] of the LORD [03068], in the chamber [03957] of Gemariah [01587] the son [01121] of Shaphan [08227] the scribe [05608], in the higher [05945] court [02691], at the entry [06607] of the new [02319] gate [08179] of the LORD'S [03068] house [01004], in the ears [0241] of all the people [05971].

⁴ And I brought [0935] them into the house [01004] of the LORD [03068], into the chamber [03957] of the sons [01121] of Hanan [02605], the son [01121] of Igdaliah [03012], a man [0376] of God [0430], which was by [0681] the chamber [03957] of the princes [08269], which was above [04605] the chamber [03957] of Maaseiah [04641] the son [01121] of Shallum [07967], the keeper [08104] of the door [05592]:

² Go [01980] unto the house [01004] of the Rechabites [07397], and speak [01696] unto them, and bring [0935] them into the house [01004] of the LORD [03068], into one [0259] of the chambers [03957], and give them wine [03196] to drink [08248].

²⁹ Watch [08245] ye, and keep [08104] them, until ye weigh [08254] them before [06440] the chief [08269] of the priests [03548] and the Levites [03881], and chief [08269] of the fathers [01] of Israel [03478], at Jerusalem [03389], in the chambers [03957] of the house [01004] of the LORD [03068].

⁵ And against the wall [07023] of the house [01004] he built [01129] chambers [03326] [03326] round about [05439], against the walls [07023] of the house [01004] round about [05439], both of the temple [01964] and of the oracle [01687]: and he made [06213] chambers [06763] round about [05439]: