Albert Barnes Commentary John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful." — John 14:27 (ASV)

Peace I leave with you. This was a common form of benediction among the Jews (see Barnes on Matthew 10:13).

It is the invocation of the blessings of peace and happiness. In this place it was, however, much more than a mere form or an empty wish. It came from Him who had power to make peace and to confer it on all (Ephesians 2:15). It refers here particularly to the consolations which He gave to His disciples in view of His approaching death.

He had exhorted them not to be troubled (John 14:1), and He had stated reasons why they should not be. He explained to them why He was about to leave them; He promised them that He would return; He assured them that the Holy Ghost would come to comfort, teach, and guide them.

By all these truths and promises He provided for their peace in the time of His approaching departure. But the expression refers also, doubtless, to the peace which is given to all who love the Savior. They are by nature enmity against God (Romans 7:7). Their minds are like the troubled sea, which cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt (Isaiah 57:20).

They were at war with conscience, with the law and perfections of God, and with all the truths of religion. Their state after conversion is described as a state of peace. They are reconciled to God; they acquiesce in all His claims; and they have a joy which the world does not know in the word, the promises, the law, and the perfections of God, in the plan of salvation, and in the hopes of eternal life (Romans 5:1; Romans 8:6; Romans 14:7; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:17; Ephesians 6:15; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15).

My peace. Such as I only can impart. The peculiar peace which My religion is fitted to impart.

Not as the world.

1. Not as the objects which people commonly pursue—pleasure, fame, wealth. They leave care, anxiety, remorse. They do not meet the desires of the immortal mind, and they are incapable of affording that peace which the soul needs.
2. Not as the people of the world give. They greet you with empty and flattering words, but their professed friendship is often feigned and has no sincerity. You cannot be sure that they are sincere, but I am.
3. Not as systems of philosophy and false religion give. They profess to give peace, but it is not real. It does not still the voice of conscience; it does not take away sin; it does not reconcile the soul to God.
4. My peace is such as meets all the needs of the soul, silences the alarms of conscience, is fixed and sure amid all external changes, and will abide in the hour of death and forever. How desirable, in a world of anxiety and care, to possess this peace! And how all who do not have it should seek that which the world can neither give nor take away!

Neither let it be afraid. Of any pain, persecutions, or trials. You have a Friend who will never leave you; a peace that shall always attend you .