Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 14:2

"In my Father`s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." — John 14:2 (ASV)

In spite of the threatening circumstances, Jesus spoke with calm assurance of the divine provision for them and took for granted that they would have a place in the eternal world. Jesus never speculated about a future life; he spoke as one who was as familiar with eternity as one is with his hometown. The imagery of a dwelling place (“rooms”) is taken from the oriental house in which the sons and daughters have apartments under the same roof as their parents. The purpose of his departure was to make ready the place where he could welcome them permanently. Certainly he would not go to prepare a room for his friends unless he expected that they would also eventually arrive.