John 14:28 – Let’s End the Confusion

Have you ever wondered about the Scripture of John that reads of Jesus’ Words: “You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you,’ if you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I … “ You can find this scripture in the Gospel of John 14:28. Jesus was speaking to His disciples. This statement has always confused me. I would think, “wait a minute … isn’t Jesus equal with God?” or “Jesus is God, so how can His Father in heaven be greater than He?” After researching this confusion, I wanted to share with you what I learned …

First and foremost, Jesus did not mean that He was less divine than the Father, or that He was a created being. He meant that, in His earthly mission, He had taken the place of a servant, humbling Himself under the Father’s will.

The clearest way to understand it is this:

1. Jesus is equal with the Father in His divine nature

The Bible also says:

• “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God” (John 1:1)
• “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30)
• “Who, though he was in the form of God… emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:6–7)

So Jesus is not denying His deity.

2. The Father is “greater” in position, not in essence

While on earth, Jesus willingly submitted Himself to the Father’s will. He came as the One sent by the Father, clothed in humanity, suffering, obeying, and going to the cross.

So “greater” refers to:

• the Father’s heavenly glory,
• the Father’s position as the One who sent the Son,
• and Jesus’ temporary humbled state during the incarnation.

It is like saying: the Father was greater in rank and glory during Christ’s earthly ministry, not greater in being.

3. Jesus was comforting His disciples

In John 14, Jesus is about to leave them. He tells them they should rejoice because He is returning to the Father—back to the glory He had before taking on human flesh. So the statement is part of His comfort to them: His return to the Father means His humiliation is ending.

Simple summary

When Jesus said, “My Father is greater than I,” He meant:

“In My earthly, humbled mission as the Son sent into the world, the Father stands above Me in position and glory.”

He did not mean:

“The Father is more God than I am.”

Historic Christian teaching holds both truths together:

and Jesus, in becoming man, humbled Himself and submitted to the Father

JESUS is FULLY GOD