Commentaries:
They did not know the way quite as well as Christ may have liked that they did. This is why Thomas asked in verse 5, "How can we know the way?"
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace and Law (Part 2)
"Mansions" is an improper translation. The correct rendering is "abodes" or "dwelling places." In this case, the abodes refer to rooms in the "Father's house" or God's Temple. In Old Testament times, the rooms in the Temple were occupied by God's priests. These rooms represent positions of authority—those positions which the saints will be given in God's ruling Kingdom at Christ's return (Revelation 5:10)!
These positions will not be in heaven. Christ plainly said He was going to heaven to "prepare" a position of authority for each Christian, but it is only when He comes to earth again that these positions will be awarded.
When Jesus returns to this earth, as King of kings, He will tell the saints: "Come, ye blessed . . . inherit the Kingdom, prepared for you" (Matthew 25:34). The Scriptures declare that they will rule all nations here on earth, having positions of authority in God's Kingdom!
Will You Go to Heaven?
Many Protestants try to use these verses to "prove" that the saints go to heaven. Here, too, they make assumptions, such as understanding "house" only as a dwelling, rather than as a family or dynasty. Thus, they narrowly define place as "an ornate abode, a mansion or palace" instead of a "position," "office," "role," or "spot."
They gloss over the fact that Jesus says directly in this context that He would "come again." Where? To earth! He then says He will receive the saints to Himself. If He remains on earth to rule the nations, then the saints will rule with Him on the earth! Many scriptures show very plainly that God's Kingdom will be on the earth (Psalm 2:6-8; Jeremiah 23:5; Daniel 2:35, 44-45; 7:27; Zechariah 9:9-10; Revelation 11:15).
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Caught Up in the Rapture
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Luke 2:11-14
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
1 Thessalonians 4:17
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
Library resources that contain this verse:
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