John 15:26 kjv
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 15:26 nkjv
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
John 15:26 niv
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father?the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father?he will testify about me.
John 15:26 esv
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
John 15:26 nlt
"But I will send you the Advocate ? the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.
John 15 verses
h2MeaningJohn 15:26 is a profound promise from Jesus Christ, assuring His disciples that after His departure, He will send the Holy Spirit, identified as the Comforter and Spirit of truth, who proceeds directly from the Father. The primary mission of this Spirit will be to testify about Jesus, powerfully affirming His identity, ministry, and divine nature to the world.
h2Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 14:16 | "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter..." | Spirit as "another Comforter" |
| Jn 14:17 | "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive..." | Spirit is the "Spirit of truth" |
| Jn 14:26 | "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name..." | Father sends the Spirit in Jesus' name |
| Jn 16:7 | "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." | Jesus sends the Comforter |
| Jn 16:13 | "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." | Spirit guides into truth, glorifies Christ |
| Jn 16:14 | "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." | Spirit's role to glorify Jesus |
| Jn 15:27 | "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." | Disciples' co-witnessing with the Spirit |
| Acts 1:8 | "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..." | Spirit empowers for witness |
| Acts 2:1-4 | Describes the fulfillment of the promise at Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends. | Pentecost: Spirit's arrival |
| Acts 2:16-18 | Peter's sermon, quoting Joel 2, affirming the outpouring of the Spirit. | Fulfillment of Joel's prophecy |
| Joel 2:28-29 | "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh..." | Prophecy of Spirit's outpouring |
| Isa 11:2 | "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding..." | Spirit upon the Messiah |
| 1 Cor 12:3 | "...no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." | Spirit enables confession of Christ |
| Rom 8:16 | "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" | Spirit testifies within believers |
| 1 Jn 5:6 | "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." | Spirit as true witness |
| 1 Jn 5:7 | "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." | Spirit's divine testimony |
| 1 Jn 4:6 | "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." | Spirit distinguishes truth from error |
| Eph 4:30 | "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." | Spirit is a distinct divine Person |
| Luke 24:49 | "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." | Father's promise sent by Jesus |
| Matt 28:19 | "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" | Trinitarian formula |
| Gen 1:2 | "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." | Spirit active in creation |
| Exod 31:3 | "And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship," | Spirit empowering for skill |
h2ContextJohn chapter 15 is part of Jesus' extended Farewell Discourse (John 13-17) given to His disciples in the Upper Room shortly before His crucifixion. This discourse is intimate teaching meant to prepare them for His departure and their future mission. In chapter 15, Jesus emphasizes abiding in Him (the Vine and the branches) for fruitfulness and discusses the nature of love among disciples.
Following these teachings on love and spiritual life, Jesus abruptly shifts to the world's hatred and persecution against them (John 15:18-25). He explains that this hostility is directed at Him and the Father, not merely the disciples. John 15:26 directly addresses this coming persecution by offering a powerful promise of comfort and divine support. It serves as an assurance amidst impending trials and transitions the discussion to the vital role of the Holy Spirit in upholding Jesus' truth and enabling the disciples' witness (John 15:27). The verse foreshadows the Spirit's advent at Pentecost, which would equip the disciples for their arduous ministry in a hostile world.
h2Word analysis
But when: Marks a distinct timing; something will happen "when" a condition is met (Jesus' departure and the Spirit's arrival). It also introduces a contrasting idea, perhaps a comfort after the preceding warnings of hatred.
the Comforter: (Greek: Parakletos, Παράκλητος). This significant term refers to one called alongside to help, advocate, intercede, encourage, defend, or console. It signifies an active helper, not merely a passive consoler. It denotes a legal advocate, a spiritual guide, and a divine counselor.
is come: Implies an actual, perceptible arrival. Refers to the historical event of Pentecost.
whom I will send: Highlights Jesus' divine authority and active role in the sending of the Holy Spirit. This is not a passive reception but a deliberate mission by the Son.
unto you: The specific recipients are the disciples, and by extension, all believers who would follow. It emphasizes a personal and direct impartation.
from the Father: Establishes the ultimate divine origin of the Spirit's procession. This underscores the unity and cooperative work within the Godhead, yet also affirms the Father as the primal source.
even the Spirit of truth: (Greek: Pneuma tes Aletheias, Πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας). This defines the nature and character of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is intrinsically true and is the revealer and dispenser of divine truth. He leads into reality, dispelling falsehood.
which proceedeth: (Greek: ekporeuetai, ἐκπορεύεται). This verb is crucial theologically. It means "to come forth from," "to issue from," signifying the eternal origination of the Holy Spirit's being from the Father. It is not merely a temporal "sending" but a statement about the Spirit's ontological source.
from the Father: The repeated emphasis on the Father as the Spirit's source highlights the Trinitarian distinctiveness and divine unity. This is the third explicit mention of the Father in this single verse, stressing His foundational role.
he shall testify: This indicates the Spirit's primary function and active work. To bear witness, provide authoritative evidence, validate, and affirm.
of me: The explicit object of the Spirit's testimony. The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to Himself but points entirely to Jesus, authenticating His identity, words, and redemptive work. The Spirit glorifies the Son.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "But when the Comforter is come": This phrase assures the disciples that the Helper's arrival is certain and contingent upon Jesus' own departure. It introduces the promise of a divine successor in the disciples' spiritual journey.
- "whom I will send unto you from the Father": This demonstrates the unified purpose of the Son and the Father in the divine plan. The Son sends the Spirit, but His ultimate origin is from the Father, emphasizing shared will and divine authority.
- "even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father": This reveals the very essence and source of the Holy Spirit. His character is truth, meaning He is reliable and righteous. His eternal procession from the Father highlights His divine nature and shared divinity within the Trinity.
- "he shall testify of me": This states the paramount purpose of the Spirit's work. His ultimate goal is to validate, reveal, and exalt Jesus Christ, ensuring that Christ remains the central focus of faith and evangelism.
h2CommentaryJohn 15:26 stands as a central declaration regarding the Holy Spirit's identity and mission. Jesus promises His distraught disciples a divine Advocate, the Parakletos, to continue His work and presence with them. This "Comforter" is not just a consoling presence but an active Helper who empowers and guides. Significantly, Jesus states He will send the Spirit "from the Father," while also explicitly noting that the Spirit "proceedeth from the Father." This dual description of sending (an act in time) and proceeding (an eternal origination) provides deep insight into the Spirit's relationship within the Trinity and emphasizes the divine unity of purpose between the Father, Son, and Spirit in redemption.
The Spirit is specifically designated the "Spirit of truth," underlining His function as the ultimate source of spiritual revelation and the guide into all divine reality, countering any deception or misunderstanding. The culmination of this verse's promise is the Spirit's primary purpose: "he shall testify of me." The Holy Spirit's entire mission revolves around bearing authoritative witness to Jesus Christ – His deity, His mission, His saving work, and His words. This divine testimony validates Jesus' claims, provides understanding, and enables believers to confidently confess Him as Lord. This internal work of the Spirit in revealing Christ is foundational to the disciples' external work of witnessing, ensuring their message is consistent with divine truth.
h2Bonus section
- The term Parakletos is also used to describe Jesus Himself as an advocate with the Father in 1 John 2:1, establishing a powerful continuity in their roles for believers.
- This verse contributes significantly to the doctrine of the Trinity, showcasing the distinct persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in perfect harmony, yet with distinct roles concerning origin and mission.
- The Spirit's testimony of Christ is both objective (authenticating Jesus' claims to the world) and subjective (convicting and assuring believers within their hearts).