Jesus could say that the Eleven knew the way to the place where He was going because He had revealed that faith in Him led to eternal life ( John 3:14-15). This had been a major theme of His teaching throughout His ministry. However, they did not understand Him as they should have ( John 14:5). [source][source][source]
These four verses answered Peter"s initial question about where Jesus was going ( John 13:36). They also brought the conversation back to the subject of the glorification of the Father and the Son ( John 13:31-32). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 14:1-11 - Jesus, The Way, The Truth, And The Life
As He neared the end, our Lord could speak of little else than the Father. Heaven was His Father's house, where a prepared mansion awaits each of us, perfectly adapted to the peculiarities of our temperament. The yearning of the heart of man was truly set forth by Philip in his request to see the Father; but never before had it dawned upon human intelligence that the divine can find its supreme revelation in the simplicities and commonplaces of human existence. While Philip was waiting for the Father to be shown in lightning and thunder and the splendor of Sinai, he missed the daily unfolding of the life with which he dwelt in daily contact. To see Jesus was to see the Father. Nothing could more certainly prove the need of the Holy Spirit, by whom alone we can know the Lord. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 14
1Jesus comforts his disciples with the hope of heaven; 5professes himself the way, the truth, and the life, and one with the Father; 13assures their prayers to be effectual; 15requires obedience; 16promises the Comforter; 27and leaves his peace with them
Greek Commentary for John 14:4
Ye know the way [οιδατε την οδον] Definite allusion to the puzzle of Peter in John 13:36. The path to the Father‘s house is now plain. [source]
Ye know, and the way ye know [οἴδατε, καὶ τὴν ὁδὸν οἴδατε] The best texts omit the second ye know, and the and before the way; reading, whither I go ye know the way. [source]
Revelation 7:17Shall guide them [οδη γησει αυτους] Future active of οδηγεω hodēgeō old word (from οδηγος hodēgos guide, Matthew 15:14), used of God‘s guidance of Israel (Exodus 15:13), of God‘s guidance of individual lives (Psalm 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), of Christ‘s own guidance here (cf. John 14:4; Revelation 14:4). [source]
Greek Commentary for John 14:4
Definite allusion to the puzzle of Peter in John 13:36. The path to the Father‘s house is now plain. [source]
Withdraw from you. See on John 8:21. [source]
The best texts omit the second ye know, and the and before the way; reading, whither I go ye know the way. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 14:4
Accusative of extent of time. It was only six months to the last passover of Christ‘s ministry and he knew that the end was near. I go unto him that sent me See the same words in John 16:5. υπαγω Hupagō old compound See John 16:7-10 for three words for going common in John (απερχομαι poreuomai go for a purpose, υπαγω aperchomai to go away, υπαγω hupagō to withdraw personally). Hupagō often in John of going to the Father or God (John 8:14, John 8:21; John 13:3, John 13:33, John 13:36; John 14:4, John 14:5, John 14:28; John 15:16; John 16:4, John 16:7, John 16:10, John 16:17). See John 6:21. It was enigmatic language to the hearers. [source]
See the same words in John 16:5. υπαγω Hupagō old compound See John 16:7-10 for three words for going common in John (απερχομαι poreuomai go for a purpose, υπαγω aperchomai to go away, υπαγω hupagō to withdraw personally). Hupagō often in John of going to the Father or God (John 8:14, John 8:21; John 13:3, John 13:33, John 13:36; John 14:4, John 14:5, John 14:28; John 15:16; John 16:4, John 16:7, John 16:10, John 16:17). See John 6:21. It was enigmatic language to the hearers. [source]
“Shall shepherd them,” future active of ποιμαινω poimainō (from ποιμην poimēn shepherd), in John 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15. Jesus is still the Good Shepherd of his sheep (John 10:11, John 10:14.). Cf. Psalm 23:1.Shall guide them (οδη γησει αυτους hodē gēsei autous). Future active of οδηγεω hodēgeō old word (from οδηγος hodēgos guide, Matthew 15:14), used of God‘s guidance of Israel (Exodus 15:13), of God‘s guidance of individual lives (Psalm 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), of Christ‘s own guidance here (cf. John 14:4; Revelation 14:4).Unto fountains of waters of life The language is like that in Isaiah 49:10; Jeremiah 2:13. Note the order, “to life‘s water springs” (Swete) like the Vulgate ad vitae fontes aquarum, with emphasis on ζωης zōēs (life‘s). For this idea see also John 4:12, John 4:14; John 7:38.; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17. No special emphasis on the plural here or in Revelation 8:10; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 16:4.And God shall wipe away (και εχαλειπσει ο τεος kai exaleipsei ho theos). Repeated in Revelation 21:4 from Isaiah 25:8. Future active of εχαλειπω exaleiphō old compound, to wipe out (εχ ex), off, away, already in Revelation 3:5 for erasing a name and in Acts 3:19 for removing the stain (guilt) of sin.Every tear Old word, with other form, δακρυ dakru in Luke 7:38, Luke 7:44. Note repetition of εκ ek with οπταλμων ophthalmōn (out of their eyes). “Words like these of Revelation 7:15-17 must sound as a divine music in the ears of the persecuted. God will comfort as a mother comforts” (Baljon). [source]
Future active of οδηγεω hodēgeō old word (from οδηγος hodēgos guide, Matthew 15:14), used of God‘s guidance of Israel (Exodus 15:13), of God‘s guidance of individual lives (Psalm 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), of Christ‘s own guidance here (cf. John 14:4; Revelation 14:4). [source]