New Testament · Gospel

John 16:13

Sorrow Turned to Joy

However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. John 16:13 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

John 16:13, in plain English

Jesus promises that the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He hears from God, including what is to come.

Why it's here

You are never left without a guide. The Spirit leads you into truth step by step, at a pace you can handle, always faithful to what the Father and Son have revealed.

Who's speaking

Jesus describes the Spirit's guiding ministry.

Where it sits in the story

The Spirit is your personal guide into all truth. He does not make things up; He faithfully communicates what He hears from the Father and the Son. And He even opens your eyes to what lies ahead. You are not walking blind.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The Spirit of truth will 'guide' (hodēgēsei) the disciples into 'all truth' (pasan tēn alētheian). The Spirit does not speak independently but communicates what He hears, and He will declare 'what is to come' (ta erchomena).

Language and setting

This verse is foundational for the doctrine of the Spirit's ongoing revelatory ministry. The Spirit's guidance 'into all truth' undergirds the development of apostolic doctrine and the New Testament canon.

Voice

Jesus describes the Spirit's role as guide into all truth.

Significance

Jesus promises that the Spirit will serve as the ultimate guide into complete truth. The Spirit will not innovate independently but will speak what He receives from the Father and Son, including revelation about future events. This is the charter for the Spirit's ongoing ministry in the church.

In context

John 16:11–15

11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.

12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.

13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.

15Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.

Read all of John 16 — Jesus warns of persecution and promises the Spirit of truth. A woman in labor forgets her anguish when the child arrives — and so will they.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad