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Easter Season · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year A

John 14:15-21

I Will Not Leave You Orphaned

May 10, 2026

Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, Duccio di Buoninsegna
Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308–1311Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena (from the Maestà)
Another of the Maestà's narrative panels: the farewell discourse, painted as a conversation in a room rather than as a departure.John 14 to 17 is a long goodbye that keeps saying it is not really a goodbye, and the panel keeps everyone in the same room.Duccio di BuoninsegnaThe founder of Sienese painting, who kept the gold and the Byzantine patterns while letting real feeling into the faces.Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena (from the Maestà)The cathedral's own museum, built into an unfinished nave, where Duccio's Maestà has been kept since it was taken off the altar.Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena (from the Maestà)
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 14:15-21Jn 14:15-21Alt. GospelJohn 17:1-11aJn 17:1-11a
Second Reading1 Pet. 3:15-181 Pt 3:15-18Alt. 2nd Reading1 Pet. 4:13-161 Pt 4:13-16
First ReadingActs 8:5-8, 14-17
Responsorial PsalmPs. 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20 (1)Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20 (1)

Overview & Insights

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

This is the first of the Paraclete sayings, and the wording matters: the Spirit is “another advocate” (allos parakletos, v. 16), which implies a first, and 1 John 2:1 names Jesus in exactly that role. The Spirit is further called the Spirit of truth and is distinguished from the world by a contrast of knowing and seeing rather than of morality. Then comes a promise unique in the Gospels, that Jesus will not leave them orphanoi (v. 18), a word John uses nowhere else and one that describes a household deprived of its head. What follows keeps deliberately open what the coming is: within days, at the Spirit’s arrival, or at the end. The unit is framed by love expressed as obedience, at v. 15 and again at v. 21, and the frame is not sentimental. Keeping the commandments is presented as the evidence, not the price, of the love in question.

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Commentary

Commentary on John 14:15-21Commentary on Jn 14:15-21 Working Preacher (Luther Seminary)

Lutheran academic commentary on the promise of the Advocate.

John 14:15-21 CommentaryJn 14:15-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on love, obedience, and the Spirit of truth.

The Advocate: SALT's Commentary for Easter 6 SALT Project

Ecumenical commentary on the nested indwelling of Spirit, Jesus, and God.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Catholic family-catechesis take on Jesus' promise of the Advocate.

Unity is Not Partisan, Easter 6 (A) - May 10, 2026 Sermons That Work (The Episcopal Church)

Episcopal preaching voice on this Sunday's readings.

Background & Word Study

Attending Love Left Behind and Loving It (D. Mark Davis)

Greek-text, verse-by-verse exegesis of John 14:15-21.

Gospel of John OverviewGospel of Jn Overview BibleProject

Whole-book video placing the promise of the Advocate in context.

The Church Fathers

John 14 - CatenaJn 14 - Catena Catena Bible

Patristic comments (Chrysostom, Augustine, Cyril) on the chapter.

Sermons & Reflections

A Christic Adventure: Thecla and Paul Journey with Jesus

Reflective essay on all four Easter 6A readings, including John 14:15-21.

Worship & Prayers

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes UMC Discipleship

Worship planning notes and prayer ideas keyed to all four of this Sunday's readings.

Podcast

Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 10, 2026) Working Preacher Sermon Brainwave

Podcast discussion of the week's texts including John 14:15-21.

Art & Music

Sixth Sunday of Easter - Texts Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary

Curated art, music, and worship links for this Sunday's texts.

Study Hub

Easter A6 Text This Week

Master index of study resources for Easter 6A.

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