John 14:27
“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.”
Explanation and Commentary on John 14:27
This is a wonderful promise and a life-giving command. Jesus has troubled the disciples by explaining about his impending death. He has also comforted them by promising the Holy Spirit who will “teach you all things and remind of everything I have said to you (Jn 14:26). He has promised that though he is leaving them, he will not leave them as orphans, but will come to them (Jn 14:18).
The world has a way of giving peace, but that is not Jesus’ way. If we understand that Jesus is the way to the Father, we love him, and obey his teaching, we will have perfect peace. The Holy Spirit will dwell with us and in us, and we will not be alone.
If we obey and follow God in Christ by the Holy Spirit, we can actually have some power over our feelings. Most people are enslaved to their emotions and their “heart.” Jesus believes that we can “not let our hearts be troubled.” And he believes that we can choose to “not be afraid.”
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 14:27
#1 “Peace I leave with you;”
In one sense Jesus is leaving them. He has walked with them in the body for three years. He always knew what to do. He controlled the weather and calmed the storms. He provided food when they didn’t have any. He was the target of the Jews who hated them. Now he was leaving them. This should have caused them to have no peace, but Jesus had a plan for that.
#2 “my peace I give you.”
It is not insignificant that Jesus leaves his very own peace with them. They have seen him in action for all the time they have been with him. They saw him face many trials and confrontations with men, demons, and satan himself. But he had been unflappable. How? Even though he was the Son of God, full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus rose early every morning to be with his Father and to pray (Mk 1:35).
#3 “I do not give to you as the world gives.”
How does the world give peace? The world’s peace is circumstantial. Change the circumstances. Get rid of the distressing agent. Run away. Quit. If you cannot get away, medicate, eat, check out. Go to your idols for comfort. This is an unending cycle of hell. Jesus’ peace is altogether different and has nothing to do with circumstances. It passes understanding (Phil 4:7). God is in control and he loves you, but you must be in union with him through Christ and the Holy Spirit to walk in perfect peace.
#4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled,”
There is a you that is not your heart. The heart is good and helpful when you are in charge of it, and not the other way around. Fill your heart with courage and peace by going to the Father daily. Be still in His presence and let Him fill you with his Holy Spirit.
#5 “and do not be afraid.”
It is freeing that Jesus makes this a command. Do not be afraid. He would not command it if it were impossible to obey. But apart from him and his peace, it is impossible (Jn 15:5). With God, all things are possible (Mt 19:26).
Hit the play button below to hear a very nice explanation of John 14:27.
This exceptional 8-minute video below will make you an expert on the Book of John and Chapter 14.
Biblical Translations of John 14:27
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.