Dwelling Places in Jn. 14:2 is not speaking of buildings, but of a place for each of us to fit into the heavenly organization, operation. The word translated dwelling places, mon-ai, has a primary meaning of staying, tarrying, abiding, dwelling. Used only in Jn. 14:2 and 23, Y’shua says He is making a ministry for each of us in the heavenly plan, an assignment for each one. In verses 2 and 3 Y’shua says He is making a place for us, using the Greek word Topos, meaning Place. John 14:2. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places: and if it were not so, would I tell you that I am going to prepare a place for you? (1 Ki. 8:13) 3. And if I would go, then I shall prepare a place for you. I am coming again and I shall take you along with Me, (Exod. 6:7) so that where I AM you would also be. We will not have houses in heaven that resemble our earthly homes, that we go to when we are off duty, to rest and play games. Our physical bodies need food and sleep to recharge, but our spirits are recharged as we worship and study His Word. In the hereafter our spirits will not need sleep or food – although we will apparently be able to eat (Rev. 19:7), food will not be a necessity. It is also possible the marriage supper will have spiritual food, not natural food.
A different Greek word, skenoma, with a primary meaning of dwelling, is used for dwelling in Acts 7:46 and 2 Pet. 1:13,14. In Acts it refers to the Tabernacle in the wilderness, while in Peter skenoma refers to Peter’s physical body.
The word Mansion came into John 14 because the Latin word Mansiones was not translated, simply written in English. Mansiones, the Latin word, has a primary meaning of staying, tarrying, abiding – the same as monai in Greek. See Latin Words elsewhere in Glossary.