14:28a

You heard Me say: This quote introducer refers back to something Jesus told the disciples earlier that evening.

I am going away: This clause refers to Jesus going to his Father in heaven. He had spoken of this in 14:3, 4. The verb here is the same as in 14:4, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “I am going.”

and I am coming back to you: These are the words Jesus used in 14:18b. See the note there and how you translated the clause in that verse.

General Comment on 14:28a

This sentence includes a quotation inside another quotation. Inside the quotation of what Jesus said is a quotation of what he himself said earlier in 14:3, 4, and 18. He did not use exactly the same words. Consider how it is natural to remind people of what you said earlier. You may use a direct quotation or an indirect quotation for what Jesus said earlier. For example:

You heard me say to you, ‘I am going, but I am coming back to you.’ (New Century Version)
-or-
Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You have already heard me say that I am going and that I will also come back to you. (Contemporary English Version)

14:28b

If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father: It is implied that the condition (you loved Me) is not true, and so the second clause is not true either. The disciples were not rejoicing that Jesus was going to his Father. Consider how it is natural to translate this type of sentence in your language. For example:

If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father. (New Living Translation (2004))

If you loved Me: This is a condition that is assumed to be false. Jesus implied that his disciples did not truly love him. For example:

If you loved me ⌊but you do not⌋

you would rejoice that I am going to the Father: These clauses imply that the disciples did not rejoice. They were unhappy because Jesus was leaving them.

14:28c

because the Father is greater than I: This clause gives the reason why the disciples should be happy. When Jesus went to his Father, he would return to the glory and joy of his Father. He left this glory and perfect joy when he came to earth as a human being.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greater can be used of one who has a higher status. This could mean that Jesus took a lower status when he came to earth (see Philippians 2:7). Or it could refer to the idea that a father had a higher status than his son. And Jesus was the loving and obedient Son of his heavenly Father.

As the Son, his nature and being were equal with God the Father’s. When he became man, he did not stop being truly and completely God. So in your translation, do not use an expression that can only refer to greatness of being and nature. Instead, use an expression that can refer to greatness of status.

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