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Easter · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year A

John 14:15-21

Another Advocate to Be With You

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)
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 14:15-21Jn 14:15-21
Epistle1 Pet. 3:13-221 Pt 3:13-22
Old TestamentActs 17:16-31
PsalterPs. 66:8-20Ps 66:8-20

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 in the farewell discourse (with 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-15). The noun is a legal one, meaning someone called alongside to help, and the qualifier in v. 16, another, implies that Jesus has been the first such figure, which is how 1 John 2:1 uses the same word of him. The passage is tightly conditional, with love defined twice as keeping commandments (vv. 15, 21), so the promise is not offered in the abstract. It also answers a fear rather than a question: the disciples are not to be left orphans (v. 18), a word this Gospel uses only here. The coming promised in vv. 18-21 resists being assigned to one event, and interpreters have divided it among the resurrection appearances, Pentecost and a continuing indwelling; the Gospel appears to hold them together. Read before Ascension, the passage looks past the departure to describe the manner of the return, visible to those who love, unseen by the world.

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Take it further: John 14:15-21

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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