Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 14:23

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." — John 14:23 (ASV)

In his reply, Jesus did not focus on his postresurrection appearances, but on the broader revelation that would come to them through obedience to his known teaching and through the work of the Holy Spirit. The reality of Jesus’ and the Father’s presence would be conditioned on obedience, an obedience that resulted from their love for God. Obedience is not, however, the condition of God’s love for humans but the proof of their realization of his love and of their love for him.