John 14 17

John 14:17 kjv

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14:17 nkjv

the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:17 niv

the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 14:17 esv

even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:17 nlt

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

John 14 verses

John 14 17 Meaning

John 14:17 describes the nature and role of the "Spirit of truth" and distinguishes between those who can receive and know Him and those who cannot. Jesus declares that the "world," understood as humanity alienated from God, is spiritually unable to perceive or comprehend the Holy Spirit. In stark contrast, His disciples, having been with Him, possess a spiritual capacity to know the Spirit, who has already been present with them through Jesus and will soon indwell them permanently and intimately after Jesus' departure.

John 14 17 Context

John 14:17 is part of Jesus' "Farewell Discourse" (Jn 13-17), delivered to His disciples just before His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. This discourse serves as Jesus' final teachings and comfort to His followers, who are troubled by His impending departure. Chapter 14 specifically addresses the disciples' fears and questions about Jesus leaving them. Jesus promises the coming of "another Helper" (Jn 14:16), identified here as "the Spirit of truth." This verse contrasts the world's spiritual inability with the disciples' spiritual capacity, highlighting the unique, intimate relationship believers will have with the Holy Spirit post-Pentecost, moving from an external presence "with" them to an internal indwelling "in" them. The historical and cultural context involves Jewish expectations of a Messiah who would reign visibly, which Jesus counters by revealing a spiritual kingdom facilitated by the indwelling Spirit.

John 14 17 Word analysis

• the Spirit (τὸ Πνεῦμα, to Pneuma): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Pneuma signifies breath, wind, or spirit, indicating a non-material, dynamic, life-giving divine presence. Significance: This is God's own life and power.
• of truth (τῆς ἀληθείας, tēs alētheias): Qualifies the Spirit as embodying and revealing ultimate reality and divine faithfulness. Significance: The Spirit's mission is tied intrinsically to Jesus, who is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6), revealing God's true nature.
• whom the world (ὃν ὁ κόσμος, hon ho kosmos): "The world" (κόσμος, kosmos) here typically refers to humanity alienated from God, organized in opposition to divine rule, under the influence of sin and darkness. It signifies a fallen system of values and a spiritual condition rather than merely geographical space. Significance: Highlights the fundamental spiritual separation between unbelievers and God's reality.
• cannot (οὐ δύναται, ou dynatai): Denotes an inherent incapacity or inability. This is not unwillingness but spiritual powerlessness. Significance: Without spiritual regeneration, one cannot comprehend divine truths.
• receive (λαβεῖν, labein): Implies taking, accepting, apprehending, or experiencing something actively. Significance: The world lacks the spiritual receptors to "take hold of" the Spirit.
• because it neither sees (οὐ θεωρεῖ, ou theōrei): "Sees" (θεωρεῖν, theōrein) suggests a deeper, contemplative, perceptive gaze, not mere physical sight. Significance: The world lacks spiritual discernment and understanding to truly perceive the Spirit.
• him nor knows (οὐδὲ γινώσκει, oude ginōskei): "Knows" (γινώσκειν, ginōskein) indicates an intimate, experiential, relational knowledge, not just intellectual acquaintance. Significance: The world lacks a personal relationship with the Spirit.
• but you (ὑμεῖς δέ, hymeis de): Emphatic contrast, pointing specifically to Jesus' disciples, who are spiritually enabled. Significance: Highlights the privileged spiritual status of believers.
• know him (οἴδατε αὐτόν, oidate auton): This verb "know" (οἴδατε, oidate) often refers to a settled, established, intuitive, experiential knowledge based on prior exposure (here, to Jesus who embodied the Spirit). Significance: The disciples already had a form of knowing through Jesus' presence and teachings.
• for he dwells with you (ὅτι παρ' ὑμῖν μένει, hoti par' hymin menei): "Dwells with" (παρ' ὑμῖν μένει, par' hymin menei) indicates an existing presence, externally alongside. During Jesus' ministry, the Spirit's presence was with them through Jesus, who was full of the Spirit. Significance: Describes the current (pre-Pentecost) external relationship.
• and will be in you (καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσται, kai en hymin estai): "Will be in" (ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσται, en hymin estai) signifies a future, deeper, permanent, internal indwelling presence. This points to Pentecost. Significance: Promises the new covenant experience of the Holy Spirit residing within the believer, bringing intimate transformation and communion.

• "the Spirit of truth": This phrase emphasizes the Spirit's divine nature as the revealer and upholder of God's truth, acting as a direct counterpoint to falsehood and deception prevalent in the world. The Spirit leads believers into all truth (Jn 16:13) and bears witness to Christ's truth (Jn 15:26).
• "whom the world cannot receive": This signifies spiritual blindness. The term "world" here refers not to physical creation but to fallen humanity that rejects God and His values. This "cannot" implies an inherent inability due to its unregenerate nature, demonstrating a deep spiritual chasm.
• "because it neither sees him nor knows him": This explains the world's inability. The lack of "seeing" implies a lack of spiritual discernment or perception, while the lack of "knowing" implies an absence of an intimate, experiential relationship with God, necessary to recognize and relate to the Spirit.
• "but you know him": This contrasts the disciples with the world, asserting their unique, privileged spiritual understanding gained through their relationship with Jesus, in whom the Spirit resided fully. Their "knowing" is experiential, established.
• "for he dwells with you and will be in you": This shows a progression. "With you" refers to the Spirit's external presence alongside the disciples through Jesus' earthly ministry, a foreshadowing. "Will be in you" is a crucial prophetic promise of the Spirit's future, permanent, intimate, and transforming indwelling after Pentecost. It signals a new era of covenant relationship.

John 14 17 Bonus section

The promise in John 14:17 underlines the Trinitarian nature of God. The Father sends the Son, who then sends the Spirit. The Spirit acts as Jesus' personal representative, enabling believers to maintain their connection to God even in Jesus' physical absence. This verse also implicitly highlights the need for spiritual rebirth; the natural man cannot access these divine realities (1 Cor 2:14), necessitating a supernatural work of God for true spiritual perception. The contrast between "with you" and "in you" is vital for understanding the progression of salvation history and the unique indwelling characteristic of the New Covenant age. It also implies that authentic discipleship requires the constant presence and guidance of the Spirit for true discernment and living.

John 14 17 Commentary

John 14:17 unpacks the profound distinction between spiritual perception and carnal blindness, centered on the Holy Spirit, the "Spirit of truth." The "world," representing unregenerate humanity hostile to God, lacks the spiritual capacity ("cannot receive") to comprehend or have an intimate relationship with the Spirit. This inability stems from its spiritual condition: it neither possesses the faculty to "see" (perceive or discern) the Spirit nor has the experiential "knowledge" required for a personal connection. Conversely, Jesus' disciples, who have lived and walked with Him—the embodiment of truth—already possess a foundational, experiential knowledge of God, enabling them to recognize the Spirit. Jesus further promises a revolutionary, future reality: the Spirit, who has been present "with" them (indirectly through Jesus), will soon come to reside permanently and intimately "in" them. This shift from an external presence to an internal indwelling marks the advent of the New Covenant and empowers believers for truth, understanding, and divine fellowship.