John 14:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

In my Father's house, &c.— Our Lord here has been thought by some to allude to the various apartments in the temple, and the vast numbers of people lodged there. Perhaps the allusion may be more general to the palaces of kings, and the various apartments there. The word μοναι signifies quiet and continued abodes, and therefore seems happily expressed by our English word mansion, the etymology and import of which is just the same. Our Saviour here intends the encouragement and comfort of his disciples, by assuring them, that in the place whereto he was going before them, there was ample room to receive them, and every thing to accommodate them in the most delightful manner. When the glory of heaven is spoken of as prepared before the foundation of the world, (Matthew 25:34.) this only refers to the divine purpose; but as that was founded in Christ's mediatorial undertaking, (Ephesians 1:4-6.) it might properly be said, that when Christ went into heaven, as our high-priest, to present, as it were, his own blood before the Father on our account, and as our fore-runner to take possession of it, he did thereby, prepare a place for us: which the apostle to the Hebrews 9:23-24 expresses by his purifying or consecrating the heavenly places,in which the faithful are to dwell; as the tabernacle of Moses, when new made; on which account an atonement for the altar itself, which was considered as most holy, was the first act performed in it when it was opened. (Exodus 29:36-37.) It may not be improper to observe, that the word τοπος is often translated room, as in Luke 2:7; Luke 14:10; Luke 14:22. 1 Corinthians 14:16. And thus the signification here may be, that Christ went to heaven to make room for them, or to remove those things out of the way which obstructed their entrance. This may at least be included; though the word ετοιμασαι may express still more. It is the same term which is used of John the Baptist, the fore-runner of our Lord. See Matthew 3:3; Matthew 3:17.