Peace I leave with you;This phrase signifies a parting gift from Jesus to His disciples. In the context of the Last Supper, Jesus is preparing His followers for His imminent departure. The concept of peace (shalom in Hebrew) is deeply rooted in Jewish culture, representing not just the absence of conflict but a holistic sense of well-being and harmony. This peace is a legacy Jesus imparts, contrasting with the turmoil of the world.
My peace I give to you.
Jesus emphasizes that the peace He offers is His own, distinct from any peace the world might offer. This peace is rooted in a relationship with God and is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), grounded in the assurance of salvation and eternal life through Christ.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
The world's peace is often temporary and conditional, based on circumstances or human agreements. In contrast, Jesus' peace is unconditional and eternal, not subject to the changing tides of worldly events. This reflects the biblical theme of God's ways being higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Do not let your hearts be troubled;
This is a direct command from Jesus, encouraging His disciples to trust in Him despite the impending challenges. The Greek word for "troubled" (tarassō) implies agitation or disturbance. Jesus reassures them that His peace can calm their inner turmoil, echoing His earlier words in John 14:1.
do not be afraid.
Fear is a natural human response to uncertainty and danger. Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of faith, trusting in His sovereignty and love. This echoes the frequent biblical exhortation to "fear not," found throughout Scripture, reminding believers of God's constant presence and protection (Isaiah 41:10).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, offering His peace to His disciples. This is part of His farewell discourse, preparing them for His departure.
2.
DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' message, representing all believers who follow Christ.
3.
Upper RoomThe setting of this discourse, where Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
4.
JerusalemThe city where these events took place, significant in biblical history as the center of Jewish worship and later, the early Christian church.
5.
Holy SpiritAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of
John 14 includes Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit, who would be a source of peace and comfort.
Teaching Points
Understanding Jesus' PeaceUnlike worldly peace, which is temporary and often dependent on circumstances, Jesus' peace is enduring and rooted in His eternal nature.
The Gift of PeaceJesus' peace is a gift, not something we earn. It is freely given to those who trust in Him.
Overcoming Fear and AnxietyJesus commands us not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid, emphasizing trust in His sovereignty and care.
Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit, as the Comforter, helps us experience and maintain the peace Jesus gives.
Living in PeaceAs recipients of Jesus' peace, we are called to be peacemakers in our relationships and communities, reflecting His character.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of John 14:27?
2. How can we experience the "peace" Jesus gives in John 14:27 daily?
3. What does "not as the world gives" mean in John 14:27?
4. How does John 14:27 connect with Philippians 4:7 about God's peace?
5. In what ways can we avoid letting our hearts be "troubled"?
6. How can John 14:27 help us face fear and anxiety today?
7. How does John 14:27 define the concept of peace in a Christian's life?
8. Why does Jesus emphasize peace in John 14:27 instead of other virtues?
9. How can believers experience the peace Jesus offers in John 14:27 amidst life's challenges?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 14?
11. Do you accept the peace I leave with you?
12. How can you actively promote peace in your life?
13. What is the peace of the Holy Spirit?
14. If Christianity brings joy and peace, why do some believers struggle with depression and anxiety?What Does John 14:27 Mean
Peace I leave with youJesus is about to face the cross, yet His first bequest to the disciples is peace.
- He speaks as the heir who can legitimately will His possessions to His followers. Having “loved His own … He loved them to the end” (John 13:1); now He leaves them something the world cannot seize or spoil.
- Peace in Scripture is never mere calm circumstances; it is wholeness and harmony with God (Isaiah 26:3). Christ’s departure was not abandonment. He had already said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18).
- This promise anticipates His post-resurrection greeting, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19), confirming that what He leaves He also enforces by His presence.
My peace I give to youThe gift is personal—His own peace.
- He is “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The serenity that sustained Him through betrayal, trial, and crucifixion becomes ours.
- Paul later writes, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). The same peace that ruled Him now rules us.
- This peace guards both heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). It does not eliminate storms but steadies us in them, as when Jesus slept through the gale (Mark 4:39-40).
I do not give to you as the world givesWorldly peace is fragile, conditional, and often deceptive.
- Governments sign treaties yet still prepare for war; friendships last only while interests align (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
- The world’s gifts arrive with strings attached, but “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).
- Christ’s peace is:
- Unconditional—grounded in His finished work (John 19:30).
- Unending—“His kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:33).
- Unshakable—“In Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraidBecause the gift is sure, anxiety has no rightful place.
- Jesus began the chapter the same way: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well” (John 14:1). The command is book-ended for emphasis.
- Fear is displaced, not merely suppressed, by confidence in Him (Psalm 27:1; Joshua 1:9).
- Practical steps:
- Focus on His presence—He sends the Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
- Fix thoughts on His promises—meditate on the Word (Psalm 119:165).
- Filter worries through thankful prayer—“Do not be anxious about anything… ” (Philippians 4:6).
summaryJohn 14:27 shows Christ bequeathing His own divine, victorious peace to His followers. It is a present inheritance, unlike the world’s temporary offerings. Receiving it calls for active trust, casting out fear and turmoil as we rest in the unchanging character and promises of our risen Lord.
(27)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.--The immediate context speaks of His departure from them (
John 14:25;
John 14:28), and it is natural therefore to understand these words as suggested by the common Oriental formulas of leave-taking. Men said to each other when they met and parted, "Shalom! Shalom!" (Peace! Peace!) just as they say the "Salaam! Salaam!" in our own day. (See
1Samuel 1:17;
Luke 7:50;
Acts 16:36;
James 2:16;
Ephesians 6:23;
1Peter 5:14;
3John 1:14.) . . .
Verse 27. - "Then follow the last words as of one who is about to go away, and says 'Good night,' or gives his blessing" (Luther).
Peace I leave with (or,
to)
you.
Peace (d
ρήνη) answers to the (
שָׁלום)
shalom of ordinary converse and greeting, and signifies prosperity, health of soul, serenity, farewell. This is the sacred bestowment and Divine legacy of the Lord. "Peace" is always the result of equilibrated forces, the poise of antagonistic elements, held in check by one another. Of these the most placid lake, hidden in the hills and reflecting the sunshine and shadows, is a remarkable illustration. So the peace Christ leaves is
power to hold the wildest fear in pause, to still a clamor or hush a cry - it is the coming of mercy to a sense of sin, of life to the fear of death. But when he added,
The peace that is mine I give to you, we are reminded of the tremendous conflict going on in his own nature at that very moment, and of the sublime secret of Jesus, by which the will of man was brought, even in agony and death, into utter harmony with the will of God. The
ἀφίημι, and
δίδωμι of this verse show how the ordinary salutation may become invested with immense significance. There are moments when into one human word may be condensed the love of a lifetime. Christ does but pour through these common words the fire of his eternal and infinite love.
Not as the world giveth, give I to you, both as to manner and matter and power. The mode of giving is
real, sincere, neither formal nor hypocritical. "I say it, and I mean it." (Meyer, in opposition to Coder, thinks this unworthy of the Savior at this moment; but Godet is right.) The matter, substance, and value of the prosperity and peace I give stretches out into eternity; and
I give it, I do not merely talk of it or wish it. "Christ's farewell greeting is forerunner of the beatific salutation which shall accompany the eternal meeting" (Lange). Then, returning to the Divine words of Ver. 1, he seems to say, "Have I not justified all that I have said?" -
Let not your heart be troubled, harassed by these mysteries or by my departure,
neither let it be terrified (
δελιάτω). This is the only place in the New Testament where the word occurs, though it is found in the LXX.;
δειλός and
δειλία, in the sense of timidity from extrinsic fear, may frequently be found. He must have seen some rising symptoms of the carnal weakness which would prostrate them for a while.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
PeaceΕἰρήνην (Eirēnēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1515: Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.I leaveἀφίημι (aphiēmi)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.with you;ὑμῖν (hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.Myἐμὴν (emēn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1699: My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.peaceεἰρήνην (eirēnēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1515: Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.I giveδίδωμι (didōmi)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.to you.ὑμῖν (hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.I {do}ἐγὼ (egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.notοὐ (ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.giveδίδωμι (didōmi)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.to youὑμῖν (hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.asκαθὼς (kathōs)Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.theὁ (ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.worldκόσμος (kosmos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).gives.δίδωσιν (didōsin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.{Do} not {let}μὴ (mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.yourὑμῶν (hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.heartsκαρδία (kardia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.be troubled;ταρασσέσθω (tarassesthō)Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5015: To disturb, agitate, stir up, trouble. Of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate.{do} notμηδὲ (mēde)Conjunction
Strong's 3366: And not, not even, neither…nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.be afraid.δειλιάτω (deiliatō)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1168: To shrink, be fearful, timid, cowardly. From deilia; to be timid.
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NT Gospels: John 14:27 Peace I leave with you (Jhn Jo Jn) 
