John 14 27

John 14:27

ESV: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

KJV: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

NIV: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

NKJV: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

NLT: "I am leaving you with a gift ? peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.

Meaning

John 14:27 declares Jesus' gift of a unique, profound peace to His disciples, distinct from the world's temporary and superficial peace. This divine peace remains with them even in His physical absence, calming their troubled hearts and alleviating their fears amidst the coming trials and tribulations. It is an internal state of well-being, harmony, and security, founded on God's presence and truth, bestowed by grace, not earned.

Cross References

Context

John 14:27 is part of Jesus' "Farewell Discourse" (John 13-17), delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room just before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The immediate context is one of profound anxiety and grief among the disciples. Jesus has just announced His impending departure (Jn 14:1-12) and the betrayal by one of them (Jn 13:21-30), which left them deeply troubled. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct antidote to their dismay. Jesus is preparing them for a world without His physical presence, promising the Holy Spirit as their helper and this unique peace as their spiritual inheritance. Historically, the Jewish concept of "shalom" (wholeness, well-being) was deeply cherished, and in the Roman world, the "Pax Romana" represented a fragile, imposed peace through military might. Jesus' teaching directly contrasts with these, offering an inner, enduring peace that transcends external circumstances or political order, challenging the disciples' prevailing notions of peace as simply the absence of conflict or an earthly messianic kingdom.

Word analysis

• Peace (εἰρήνη, eirēnē): This is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound, comprehensive state of wholeness, well-being, and harmony. It corresponds to the rich Hebrew concept of shalom, encompassing prosperity, health, security, and spiritual contentment. It speaks of a restored relationship with God and inner tranquility regardless of external circumstances.
• I leave (ἀφίημι, aphiēmi) with you: The verb signifies to let go, abandon, send away, or bequeath. Here, it denotes an act of conscious bequeathal or an inheritance left for His disciples. It emphasizes that this peace is a legacy, a spiritual endowment that remains.
• My peace: The possessive pronoun highlights the unique quality and source of this peace. It is the very peace Jesus Himself lived out—a peace that endured rejection, suffering, and impending death. It is divinely endowed, not humanly manufactured.
• I give (δίδωμι, didōmi) to you: This emphasizes that peace is an intentional, gracious gift from Jesus, freely bestowed. It is not earned through merit or achievement, nor is it a reward, but a sovereign act of generosity.
• Not as the world gives: This provides a stark contrast. Worldly peace (like Pax Romana or simply the absence of war) is typically conditional, temporary, and dependent on external circumstances or the suppression of opposition. It's often fleeting, superficial, and easily disrupted. Jesus's peace, in contrast, is unconditional, eternal, internal, and sustains amidst tribulation. It addresses the deepest anxieties of the human soul. This also serves as a polemic against the limitations of worldly powers to provide true security.
• Do not let your hearts be troubled (ταρασσέσθω, tarassestō): From tarassō, meaning to stir up, agitate, disquiet. This is a command in the present imperative passive voice, indicating a cessation of an ongoing state or preventing its commencement. It addresses internal agitation, anxiety, and distress. Jesus calls for His disciples to actively resist emotional turmoil.
• and do not be afraid (δειλιάτω, deiliatō): From deiliaō, meaning to be timid, to fear. This is another imperative, directly addressing the external expression of inner turmoil: fear, cowardice, and dread in the face of danger or uncertainty. Together, these two commands call for inner and outer composure and confidence in the face of distress.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you": This couplet emphasizes the permanence and personal nature of Jesus's gift. It's a double assurance: His peace is left with them as an enduring inheritance, and it's actively given to them as a personal impartation, directly from Him.
• "Not as the world gives do I give to you": This clause critically distinguishes the quality and source of Jesus's peace from all earthly counterparts. The world's peace is dependent on conditions, resources, or absence of conflict; Christ's peace is based on His accomplished work and sovereign presence.
• "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid": This dual command targets both inner distress (troubled hearts) and external manifestations of fear (being afraid). It's a call to profound emotional and spiritual stability, anchored in faith, countering the anxiety the disciples felt concerning His departure and future events.

Commentary

Jesus's bestowal of peace in John 14:27 is a pivotal aspect of His farewell message. He bequeaths His peace—a supernatural tranquility derived from His unique relationship with the Father and His sovereign control over all things. This peace is distinct from worldly peace, which is fleeting, external, and conditional upon favorable circumstances. Jesus offers an internal, abiding peace that thrives despite external tribulation, allowing the believer to maintain composure in the face of adversity because it is founded on an eternal security and the promise of His presence (through the Spirit). It's a calming of the inner being, enabling freedom from anxiety and fear because ultimate outcomes are in God's hands.

Practical Examples:

• A Christian facing a terminal illness who maintains deep calm, trusting God's will, demonstrates this peace.
• Believers experiencing financial hardship who are not consumed by worry but remain hopeful and generous embody this peace.
• Missionaries in dangerous regions, continuing their work with boldness rather than panic, showcase Christ's peace.

Bonus section

The peace Jesus leaves and gives is intrinsically linked to the indwelling Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus just moments earlier in this same chapter (Jn 14:16-17, 26). The Spirit is the 'Paraclete' (Helper, Advocate, Comforter) who applies this peace to the hearts of believers, enabling them to experience its reality even amidst suffering. It is a foretaste of the perfect peace of the age to come. This divine peace also underscores the sovereignty of God, reminding believers that He is ultimately in control, and nothing can truly separate them from His love or disturb His ultimate plan for their well-being. Furthermore, this peace is not merely a passive state; it empowers believers for faithful endurance and courageous witness, becoming a testimony to a world in turmoil. It is a peace that ultimately stems from reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice, leading to holistic well-being (shalom) in every dimension of life.

Explore john 14 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines