What does Jesus mean by "the way" in John 14:4?

Setting the Scene

- John 14 opens on the night before the cross. Jesus comforts the disciples with the promise of a prepared place in the Father’s house (vv. 1–3).

- Then He says, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:4)

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What “the Way” Is

- Jesus personally defines the term moments later: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

- “The way” therefore is not a set of directions but a Person—Jesus Himself.

- The Greek hodos means road, path, or route; Jesus claims to be that single, sufficient route to the Father.

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Exclusive Path to the Father

- “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6b)

- Acts 4:12 echoes this exclusivity: “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

- Hebrews 10:19-20 speaks of “a new and living way” opened through His flesh—His atoning death.

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How We Walk This Way

• Trust His finished work (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10)

• Follow His teaching and example (Luke 9:23; 1 John 2:6)

• Depend on the Spirit He sends (John 14:16-17; Galatians 5:16)

• Persevere in obedient faith until we reach the “place” He has prepared (Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 3:20-21)

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Old Testament Foreshadows

- Isaiah 35:8 pictures a “Way of Holiness” where the redeemed walk—fulfilled in Christ.

- Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life”—ultimately realized in Jesus, the Life.

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Practical Takeaways

• Salvation is relational, centered on knowing and abiding in Christ, not on self-made routes.

• Because Jesus is the Way, confidence rests in His reliability, not our performance.

• Daily decisions align with His truth and life, keeping us on the path that leads to the Father’s house.