John Calvin 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. By the word peace, he means prosperity, which people are accustomed to wish for each other when they meet or part, for such is the meaning of the word peace in the Hebrew language. He therefore alludes to the ordinary custom of his nation, as if he had said, I give you my Farewell.

But he immediately adds that this peace is of far greater value than that which is usually found among humans. People generally offer the word peace only superficially, as a ceremony; or if they sincerely wish peace for anyone, they still cannot actually bestow it. Christ, however, reminds them that his peace does not consist in an empty and fruitless wish but is accompanied by the effect. In short, he says that he goes away from them in body, but that his peace remains with the disciples; that is, they will always be happy through his blessing.

Let not your heart be troubled. He again corrects the alarm which the disciples had felt because of his departure. It is no reason for alarm, he tells them, for they will lack only his bodily presence but will enjoy his actual presence through the Spirit. Let us learn to be always satisfied with this kind of presence, and let us not give free rein to the flesh, which always tries to confine God by its human-devised limitations.