The Meaning of John 14:31 Explained

John 14:31

KJV: But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

YLT: but that the world may know that I love the Father, and according as the Father gave me command so I do; arise, we may go hence.

Darby: but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has commanded me, thus I do. Rise up, let us go hence.

ASV: but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  that  the world  may know  that  I love  the Father;  and  as  the Father  gave  me  commandment,  even so  I do.  Arise,  let us go  hence. 

What does John 14:31 Mean?

Study Notes

world
kosmos = mankind.
The Greek word kosmos means "order," "arrangement," and so, with the Greeks, "beauty"; for order and arrangement in the sense of system are at the bottom of the Greek conception of beauty.
When used in the N.T. of humanity, the "world" of men, it is organized humanity-- humanity in families, tribes, nations--which is meant. The word for chaotic, unorganized humanity--the mere mass of man is thalassa, the "sea" of men (e.g.) Revelation 13:1 (See Scofield " Revelation 13:8 ") . For "world" (kosmos) in the bad ethical sense, "world system" John 7:7 .

Context Summary

John 14:25-31 - Christ's Gift Of Peace
Our Lord gives the fourfold basis of His peace: (1) The vision of the Father. Throughout these wonderful chapters He seems able to speak of nothing else. If we lived in the thought and consciousness of God, our peace also would be as a river. Let us wrap that thought around us, as a man his overcoat on a stormy day. (2) Disentanglement from the world. We must stand clear of the ambitions of the world, of its fear and favor, of its craving for wealth and fear of poverty. The world must have no charms for us. (3) A constraining love, as in John 14:31. (4) Obedience to God's supreme authority. When we put the government on His shoulder, He sets up the inward reign as Prince of Peace.
What a contrast to the world's peace, which consists in the absence of untoward circumstances and the possession of material goods! Where the Holy Spirit is, there the peace of God rests. The world may be in arms, death may be imminent, and the prince of this world intent to injure; but the heart which reposes on the will of God is free from alarm and fear. The peace He leaves is that of forgiveness; the peace He bequeaths, that of His own indwelling. "Arise, let us go hence!" [source]

Chapter Summary: John 14

1  Jesus comforts his disciples with the hope of heaven;
5  professes himself the way, the truth, and the life, and one with the Father;
13  assures their prayers to be effectual;
15  requires obedience;
16  promises the Comforter;
27  and leaves his peace with them

Greek Commentary for John 14:31

But that the world may know [αλλ ινα γνωι ο κοσμος]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω — ginōskō Elliptical construction (cf. John 9:3; John 13:18; John 15:25). “But I surrendered myself to death,” etc., before ινα — hina Arise, let us go hence Imperative present middle of αγωμεν — egeirō and the volitive (hortatory) subjunctive agōmen (the word used in John 11:7, John 11:16) of going to meet death. Apparently the group arose and walked out into the night and the rest of the talk (chs. 15 and 16) and prayer (ch. 17) was in the shadows on the way to Gethsemane. [source]
Arise, let us go hence [εγειρεστε αγωμεν εντευτεν]
Imperative present middle of αγωμεν — egeirō and the volitive (hortatory) subjunctive agōmen (the word used in John 11:7, John 11:16) of going to meet death. Apparently the group arose and walked out into the night and the rest of the talk (chs. 15 and 16) and prayer (ch. 17) was in the shadows on the way to Gethsemane. [source]
But that the world may know, etc. []
The connection in this verse is much disputed. Some explain, Arise, let us go hence, that the world may know that I love the Father, and that even as the Father commanded me so I do. Others, So I do, that the world may know - and even as the Father, etc. Others, again, take the opening phrase as elliptical, supplying either, he cometh, i.e., Satan, in order that the world may know - and that as the Father, etc.; or, I surrender myself to suffering and death that the world may know, etc. In this case, Arise, etc., will form, as in A.V. and Rev., an independent sentence. I incline to adopt this. The phrase ἀλλ ' ἵνα , but in order that, with an ellipsis, is common in John. See John 1:8, John 1:31; John 9:3; John 13:18; John 15:25; 1 John 2:19. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 14:31

Matthew 26:30 Sang a hymn [υμνησαντες]
The Hallel, part of Psalms 115-118. But apparently they did not go out at once to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus tarried with them in the Upper Room for the wonderful discourse and prayer in John 14-17. They may have gone out to the street after John 14:31. It was no longer considered obligatory to remain in the house after the passover meal till morning as at the start (Exodus 12:22). Jesus went out to Gethsemane, the garden of the agony, outside of Jerusalem, toward the Mount of Olives. [source]
John 13:35 By this [εν τουτωι]
Locative case with εν — en “In this way,” viz., “if ye have love” See John 17:23 where Jesus prays for mutual love among the disciples “that the world may know” that the Father sent him. Jerome (ad Galat. vi. 10) says that in his extreme old age John repeated often this command of Jesus and justified it: “Because it is the Lord‘s commandment; and if it be fulfilled it is enough.” See also John 14:31. Tertullian (Apol. 39) urges it also as proof of being disciples. Hatred of one another per contra, is an argument that we are not disciples (learners) of Jesus. [source]
John 16:11 Because the prince of this world hath been judged [οτι ο αρχων του κοσμου τουτου κεκριται]
Cf. John 12:31; John 14:31 for the title. Perfect passive indicative of κρινω — krinō He stands condemned. The sinful world is in his grip, but he will be cast out (John 12:31). [source]
1 John 1:9 To forgive [ἵνα ἀφῇ]
See John 20:23; 1 John 2:12. Primarily the word means to send away, dismiss; hence of sins, to remit, as a debt. Cleansing (1 John 1:7) contemplates the personal character of the sinner; remission, his acts. See on Matthew 6:12; see on James 5:15. To forgive is, literally, that he may forgive. On John's use of ἵνα inorder that, see on John 15:13; see on John 14:31. Forgiveness answers to the essential purpose of His faithful and righteous being. [source]

What do the individual words in John 14:31 mean?

but that may know the world that I love the Father and as has commanded gives Me Father thus I do Rise up let us go from here
ἀλλ’ ἵνα γνῷ κόσμος ὅτι ἀγαπῶ τὸν Πατέρα καὶ καθὼς ἐνετείλατο (ἔδωκέν) μοι Πατὴρ οὕτως ποιῶ Ἐγείρεσθε ἄγωμεν ἐντεῦθεν

ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
γνῷ  may  know 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γινώσκω  
Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel.
κόσμος  world 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κόσμος  
Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἀγαπῶ  I  love 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀγαπάω  
Sense: of persons.
Πατέρα  Father 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
ἐνετείλατο  has  commanded 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διακελεύω 
Sense: to order, command to be done, enjoin.
(ἔδωκέν)  gives 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
μοι  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Πατὴρ  Father 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
οὕτως  thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὕτως  
Sense: in this manner, thus, so.
ποιῶ  I  do 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
Ἐγείρεσθε  Rise  up 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐγείρω  
Sense: to arouse, cause to rise.
ἄγωμεν  let  us  go 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: ἄγω  
Sense: to lead, take with one.
ἐντεῦθεν  from  here 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἔνθεν 
Sense: from this place, hence.