Berean Standard Bible
28You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
You have heard that I said to you: I am going away and I am coming back to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
The key phrase *ho patēr meizōn mou estin* is translated at face value: "the Father is greater than I." *Meizōn* means greater in degree or rank — this is a plain comparative and is not softened or reframed. No theological adjustment has been made to obscure the direct subordination of the Son to the Father stated here.
Berean Standard Bible
28You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
King James Version
28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Goodspeed New Testament
28You have heard me say that I am going away and am coming back to you; if you loved me you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Translation for Translators
T4T was designed as a tool for Bible translators, not as a devotional text. It makes implicit meaning explicit and flags figurative language with abbreviations. Gold [brackets] indicate translation notes. ◄Triangles► mark alternative renderings.Read more about how to read T4T →28You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, but later I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going back to my Father, because my Father is greater than I am, and there he will honor me and will send the Spirit to you.
Berean Standard Bible
Goodspeed New Testament
You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
You have heard me say that I am going away and am coming back to you; if you loved me you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Berean Standard Bible
Goodspeed New Testament
King James Version
You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
You have heard me say that I am going away and am coming back to you; if you loved me you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
SBL
28
ἠκούσατε hear ἀκούω akoúō a primary verb; to hear (in various senses) give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be ὅτι that ὅτι hóti neuter of G3748 (ὅστις) as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because as concerning that ἐγὼ I ἐγώ egṓ a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic) I, me εἶπον say λέγω légō a primary verb; properly, to lay forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; wh ὑμῖν you σύ sý the personal pronoun of the second person singular; thou thou · Ὑπάγω go away ὑπάγω hypágō from G5259 (ὑπό) and G71 (ἄγω); to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally καὶ and καί kaí apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too ἔρχομαι come ἔρχομαι érchomai middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (m πρὸς with πρός prós a strengthened form of G4253 (πρό); a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the sid ὑμᾶς you σύ sý the personal pronoun of the second person singular; thou thou . εἰ if εἰ ei a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether ἠγαπᾶτέ love ἀγαπάω agapáō perhaps from (much) (or compare G5689); to love (in a social or moral sense) (be-)love(-ed) με I ἐγώ egṓ a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic) I, me ἐχάρητε rejoice χαίρω chaírō a primary verb; to be cheerful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or par ἄν untranslatable word ἄν án a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty (what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever , ⸀ ὅτι that ὅτι hóti neuter of G3748 (ὅστις) as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because as concerning that πορεύομαι travel πορεύομαι poreúomai middle voice from a derivative of the same as G3984 (πεῖρα); to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especi πρὸς with πρός prós a strengthened form of G4253 (πρό); a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the sid τὸν the ὁ ho the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) the, this, that, one, he, she, πατέρα father πατήρ patḗr apparently a primary word; a father (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) father, parent , ὅτι that ὅτι hóti neuter of G3748 (ὅστις) as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because as concerning that ὁ the ὁ ho the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) the, this, that, one, he, she, ⸀ πατὴρ father πατήρ patḗr apparently a primary word; a father (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) father, parent μείζων large μέγας mégas (including the prolonged forms, feminine , plural , etc.; compare also G3176 (μέγιστος), G3187 (μείζων)); big (literally μού I ἐγώ egṓ a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic) I, me ἐστιν is εἰμί eimí the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when .
You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
The Greek word meizon is a plain comparative adjective — greater, superior in rank, higher in authority. Jesus does not qualify it, soften it, or frame it as temporary. He states it as simple fact.
The standard reading typically treats this verse as a concession made necessary by the incarnation, as though the Pioneer were speaking from a lowered position he would soon exit, returning to some prior status of absolute parity with the Father. But the text supplies none of that scaffolding. The reader brings it.
The Functional Faith reading lets the Pioneer speak for himself. He is the Father's firstborn and supreme agent — sent with full authority, bearing the complete impression of the Father's character, yet genuinely subordinate to the One who sent him. This is not a weakness in the framework; it is the framework's strongest point. Two real wills existed in that relationship, and the Pioneer's willing alignment with the greater will was costly precisely because it was real, not performed.
For anyone walking the Way, this reframes submission entirely. Honest, chosen surrender to the Father is not the erosion of selfhood — it is the Pattern the Pioneer demonstrated, and the road runs directly through it.
Sit with this
Where in your life are you explaining away a clear word rather than simply receiving it?
Sources
SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)License
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
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