Word study of “Father’s house”
1. Οἰκία (oikia) – “house, household, dwelling”
John 14:2
“In My Father’s house (oikia) are many dwelling places…”
👉 Jesus is speaking of heaven as the Father’s “house.”
Other key places oikia appears in relation to God’s house or spiritual home:
Matthew 21:13 / Mark 11:17 / Luke 19:46
“My house (oikia) shall be called a house of prayer...”
✨ Jesus is quoting Isaiah 56:7 and referring to the temple in Jerusalem as His Father’s house (Matthew 21:12–13). This reinforces the idea of God dwelling in a place.
Luke 2:49
“Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house (en tois tou Patros mou)?”
✨ Although oikia isn't explicitly used in the Greek, it's implied. Jesus, at age 12, refers to the Temple as His Father’s house.
2. Μονή (monē) – “dwelling place, abode”
This word is rare, occurring only twice in the New Testament—both in John 14:
John 14:2
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places (monai).”
John 14:23
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word... and We will come to him and make Our abode (monēn) with him.”
✨ In the first instance, monē refers to eternal dwelling places in heaven. In the second, it refers to God's indwelling presence with believers now through the Spirit—a beautiful parallel of present and future communion with God.
3. Οἶκος / Οἶκον (oikos/oikon) – “household, house”
This is a more general and commonly used term. Here are a few uses relevant to Jesus and the concept of the Father’s house:
Matthew 12:4 / Mark 2:26 / Luke 6:4
Refers to “the house (oikon) of God” in the story of David eating the consecrated bread.
✨ Jesus uses this to speak of the Temple as God's house.
Luke 15:17 (Prodigal Son)
“How many of my Father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”
✨ This parable doesn't use oikos directly, but the theme of returning to the Father’s house is strong. Some translations use "father’s house" conceptually.
Hebrews 3:6
“Christ is faithful over God’s house (oikos) as a Son. And we are His house…”
✨ While not a saying of Jesus directly, it reflects the early Christian understanding of God’s house as both temple and people.
| Greek Word | English | Key Verse(s) | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| οἰκία (oikia) | house | John 14:2, Matt 21:13 | Heaven / Temple as God’s house |
| μονή (monē) | dwelling | John 14:2, John 14:23 | Heaven / God’s indwelling |
| οἶκος (oikos/oikon) | house | Luke 2:49, Heb 3:6 | Temple, God's household, Church |
Final Reflection
When Jesus speaks of “My Father’s house” (John 14:2), He builds on Temple imagery, but expands it to include both the present spiritual indwelling (John 14:23) and eternal dwelling in heaven. The usage of oikia, monē, and oikos shows a theological movement from place to presence to people—God no longer simply dwells in a physical temple but abides in us and with us forever.