John 14:6
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Explanation and Commentary on John 14:6
Jesus had just told the disciples that he was going to the Father to prepare a place for them and that they knew the way. One of them protested that they did not know the way because they didn’t even know where he was going. Jesus replied that he is the way. This was a profound declaration of the true nature of God the Father.
No one who rejected Jesus could ever claim to know God because Jesus is God (John 8:41). Chapter 11 of the Book of Hebrews states the amazing truth that all of the heroes of the Old Testament were saved by faith in Christ, although they did not have the full revelation that the disciples of Jesus had. As Paul said about Abraham (Ro 4), because each of them truly believed God and obeyed His call, their faith was reckoned as righteousness in Christ.
Jesus was the Lamb slain since the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8), and even before anyone could fully understand, he was the way, the truth, and the life.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 14:6
#1 “Jesus answered, “I am the way…”
When the disciples wanted to know how to get to the Father, Jesus answered that he was the only way to the Father.
#2 “…the truth…”
Jesus is the source of all truth. He is the answer to the most important questions. The fact of Jesus’ life and death shows the truth about our divine image and our fallen nature. Jesus came because it was the only way to satisfy God’s justice and his mercy. The life of Jesus shows the total truth about reality and the way that we ought to live and be. We must worship in “Spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23). There are many false and ridiculous notions of who God is, but Jesus shows us the truth about him.
#3 “…and the life.”
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (Jn 1:3). The world and all life were created through Christ. Christ alone is the answer to the problem of death that was introduced by Adam’s sin. Jesus promised that he came so that we would have life abundantly (Jn 10:10).
#4 “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Many people say that they believe in God, but if they have seen Jesus, yet reject him, then they don’t know the Father, and they cannot get to him in their sin. Jesus’ death on the cross made a way through the curtain to the holy of holy places. Now, because of Christ, we can enter boldly into the glorious presence of the Father (Heb 10:19).
Bible Study on John 14:6
Expert Overview of John Ch. 13-21
Biblical Translations of John 14:6
NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
NLT
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
ESV
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
KJV
Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
NKJV
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
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.