Category Archives: Johanan Sermons

One Sunday my Sunday School class was talking about “mansions”. What brought up the subject was Jesus’ wonderful and familiar words in:

John 14:1-2 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

That stayed in my mind, and the Spirit of God led me to research these “mansions”. The word translated “mansions” or “mansion” is only found ONE TIME in the King James Bible. I used to assume that these “mansions” are literal buildings in Heaven where we will live. When I think of a “mansion”, I think of a place of ultimate contentment where my every need is met.

Word Study But what the King James translates as “mansions” is much more than a brick and mortar building. “mansions” is the Greek word μονή monḗ, {pronounced mon-ay’}, which means “a place to stay, a residence”. The Vines Expository Dictionary Usage Notes says of monḗ:

Primarily “a staying, abiding” (akin to menō, “to abide”), denotes an “abode” (English, “manor,” “manse,” etc.), translated “mansions” in John 14:2; “abode” in John 14:23. There is nothing in the word to indicate separate compartments in heaven; neither does it suggest temporary resting places on the road…. Continue reading →