lectionary.com

Easter Season · Fifth Sunday of Easter · Year A

John 14:1-14

The Way, the Truth, the Life

May 3, 2026

Christ Pantocrator (apse mosaic), Unknown (Byzantine-Sicilian workshop)
Christ Pantocrator (apse mosaic), Unknown (Byzantine-Sicilian workshop), 1148Cefalù Cathedral, Sicily
In the apse at Cefalù, made by Byzantine craftsmen for a Norman king. The face is nearly five metres high and is widely held to be the finest of all Pantocrators.Whoever has seen me has seen the Father: the reading is the demand to be shown God and the answer to it.Cefalù Cathedral, SicilyA Norman cathedral on the Sicilian coast, begun in 1131, whose apse mosaic was made by Greek craftsmen for a Latin king.Cefalù Cathedral, Sicily
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 14:1-14Jn 14:1-14
Epistle1 Pet. 2:2-101 Pt 2:2-10
Old TestamentActs 7:55-60
PsalterPs. 31:1-5, 15-16Ps 31:1-5, 15-16

Overview & Insights

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

The farewell discourse advances by misunderstanding. Thomas objects that they do not know where he is going (v. 5) and Philip asks to be shown the Father (v. 8), and each objection produces one of the chapter’s central sayings, so the famous lines are answers to interruptions rather than pronouncements. The noun in v. 2 for the many dwelling places shares a root with the verb to remain that dominates chapter 15, which makes the promise one of abiding rather than of architecture; the familiar “mansions” reached English through the Latin word for a stopping place on a journey. The three predicates of v. 6 are not three claims but one, and the clause immediately after them supplies the gloss. The answer to Philip in v. 9 states this Gospel’s whole logic of revelation, that the Father is seen nowhere except in the Son, and vv. 12-14 extend it forward: the works continue after the departure, which is what the Easter season is about.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

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.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on John 14:1-14
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.