St. John 14:28

Here is a hypothetical conversation between a Jehovah’s witness (JW) and a Catholic (C) regarding John 14:28, which states, “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.”

JW: John 14:28 says, “the Father is greater than I,” which clearly shows Jesus is not equal to God. How do you reconcile this with the belief in the Trinity?

C: That’s an insightful question. This verse is indeed speaking to the relationship between Jesus and the Father, but it’s important to consider the context. Jesus is speaking about His Incarnation, His taking on human nature. As God incarnate, living a human life, He voluntarily submits to the Father’s will, which reflects His humility and obedience.

JW: So, you’re saying Jesus is less than the Father?

C: Not in essence or divinity. In the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal, sharing the same Divine Nature. However, in His role as the Son incarnate, Jesus takes on a position of submission as part of His mission to save humanity. This doesn’t diminish His divinity but shows His willingness to humble Himself for our salvation, as Philippians 2:6-8 describes.

JW: But doesn’t “the Father is greater than I” contradict the idea of them being co-equal?

C: It might seem that way if we only consider the human aspect of Jesus. But remember, Jesus has two natures: He is fully God and fully man. When He says, “the Father is greater than I,” it’s in the context of His human experience and mission. It’s about His role and function, not about His nature or worth. In terms of divine essence, Jesus and the Father are one, as Jesus Himself says in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.”

JW: How do Catholics interpret this unity?

C: We see it as a profound mystery of faith. Jesus’ unity with the Father is a relationship of love and mutual glorification. Even though Jesus says the Father is greater, He also promises that He will send the Holy Spirit and that He will return to the disciples, showing the unity and cooperation within the Trinity. It’s a model of perfect relationship, not competition or hierarchy in the way humans might understand it.

JW: It’s a lot to think about.

C: Absolutely, and it’s meant to be contemplated with both heart and mind. The mystery of the Trinity and the Incarnation are central to understanding the depth of God’s love for us. Jesus revealing the Father, the Father sending the Son, and both sending the Spirit — it’s all about the work of salvation and revelation. If you have more questions or want to explore further, I’m here for conversation and prayer.

This script aims to respectfully articulate a Catholic perspective on interpreting John 14:28, focusing on the mystery of the Trinity and the incarnation, in a dialogue with a Jehovah’s witness.