Easter · Year A

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 3, 2026

Christ Pantocrator (Deesis mosaic), Unknown Byzantine mosaicist — **Christ Pantocrator (Deesis mosaic)**, Unknown Byzantine mosaicist, c. 1261Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

LSB Three-Year Lectionary

GospelJohn 14:1-14Jn 14:1-14

Epistle1 Pet. 2:2-101 Pt 2:2-10

Old TestamentActs 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60

PsalterPs. 146Ps 146

Overview & Insights

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

The passage opens the farewell discourse (13:31 to 16:33), and its consolation answers three things just said: Judas has gone out (13:30), Peter has been told he will deny (13:38), and the disciples have been told they cannot follow where Jesus is going (13:33, 36). Verses 1-14 proceed by interruption; Thomas and Philip each misunderstand (vv. 5, 8), and each misunderstanding produces one of the Gospel’s central sayings. The “many rooms” of v. 2 translate monai, a noun from the verb “to remain” which John uses at 14:23 and 15:4 for mutual abiding, so the promise of a place is continuous with a promise of presence rather than a piece of architecture. Verse 6 is the sixth of the seven predicated “I am” sayings. The “greater works” of v. 12 locate the sequel to Easter in the community’s own activity, which is why the reading belongs to this season rather than to Holy Week, where its setting lies.

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Take it further: John 14:1-14

Commentary

Commentary on John 14:1-14Commentary on Jn 14:1-14 Working Preacher (Luther Seminary)

Lutheran academic commentary on Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.

John 14:1-14 CommentaryJn 14:1-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on the promise of greater works.

I Am the Way: SALT's Commentary for Easter 5 SALT Project

Ecumenical lectionary commentary reading the text as comfort for anxious disciples.

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Catholic family-catechesis take on I am the way and the truth and the life.

About Those Stones, Easter 5 (A) - May 3, 2026 Sermons That Work (The Episcopal Church)

Episcopal preaching voice on this Sunday's readings.

Background & Word Study

Incarnational Truth v. Propositional Truth Left Behind and Loving It (D. Mark Davis)

Greek-text, verse-by-verse exegesis of John 14:1-14.

Gospel of John OverviewGospel of Jn Overview BibleProject

Whole-book video placing the farewell discourse of chapter 14 in context.

The Church Fathers

John 14 - CatenaJn 14 - Catena Catena Bible

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

Sermons & Reflections

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled Journey with Jesus

Reflective essay on Jesus' farewell comfort to his troubled disciples.

Worship & Prayers

Fifth 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

Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 3, 2026) Working Preacher Sermon Brainwave

Podcast discussion of the week's texts including John 14:1-14.

Art & Music

Fifth Sunday of Easter - Texts Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary

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

Study Hub

Easter A5 Text This Week

Master index of study resources for Easter 5A.

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