John 16:3 kjv
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
John 16:3 nkjv
And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
John 16:3 niv
They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.
John 16:3 esv
And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.
John 16:3 nlt
This is because they have never known the Father or me.
John 16 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 14:26 | "...but the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things..." | Comforter, Teacher |
| John 15:26 | "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 testify about Me." | Witness, Spirit of Truth |
| John 16:13 | "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." | Guidance, Revelation |
| John 16:7-11 | "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you... and when He has come, He will convict the world of sin..." | Conviction, Advantage |
| 1 Corinthians 2:10 | "But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." | Revelation of God |
| 1 Corinthians 2:12 | "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." | Knowing God's Gifts |
| 1 John 2:20 | "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things." | Anointing, Knowledge |
| 1 John 2:27 | "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and is not a lie, and as it has taught you, you will abide in Him." | Anointing Teaches |
| Romans 8:14 | "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." | Led by the Spirit |
| Romans 8:26 | "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning’s which cannot be uttered." | Intercession |
| Ephesians 4:30 | "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." | Grieving the Spirit |
| Acts 13:2 | "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”" | Divine Instruction |
| John 14:16-17 | "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even 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." | Another Helper, Indwelling |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”" | Power, Witness |
| John 16:8 | "And when He comes, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment..." | Conviction of the World |
| Matthew 10:20 | "For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." | Spirit Speaking Through |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." | Direction by God |
| Isaiah 48:16 | "...But now the Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me.”" | Divine Commission |
| Luke 12:12 | "for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you need to say.”" | Teaching in the Moment |
| Galatians 5:18 | "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." | Led by the Spirit |
| Genesis 1:2 | "Now the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." | Spirit's Presence |
| Psalm 119:105 | "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”" | Word as Guidance |
John 16 verses
John 16 3 Meaning
When the Helper comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own authority, but will tell you what He hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. This verse describes the role of the Holy Spirit as a divine revealer and comforter.
John 16 3 Context
This verse is part of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, recorded in the Gospel of John. It occurs shortly before His crucifixion. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure and promising them the gift of the Holy Spirit. He explains that His absence will be temporary and will pave the way for the Helper's coming, who will continue His work and lead them into a deeper understanding of truth. The disciples are worried about Jesus leaving, and this passage addresses their concerns by assuring them of continued divine presence and guidance.
John 16 3 Word Analysis
"But when": This phrase indicates a contrast and a future event following Jesus' departure.
"the Helper": Greek: Paraklētos (παράκλητος). This term signifies an advocate, comforter, helper, or intercessor. It suggests someone who comes alongside to assist and support.
"comes": Greek: erchetai (ἔρχεται). A present active indicative, denoting the ongoing arrival or sending of the Spirit.
"the Spirit of truth": This designates the nature of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing His perfect alignment with divine reality and His role in revealing it.
"He will guide": Greek: hodēgei (ὁδηγήσει). Future tense, indicating active and purposeful direction.
"you": Refers to the disciples and by extension, all believers.
"into all truth": Greek: eis pasan tēn alētheian (εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν). signifies comprehensive understanding and revelation of divine truth, not limited or partial.
"He will not speak": Greek: ou lalēsei (οὐ λαλῂσει). A strong negative, denying any independent or self-originated message from the Spirit.
"on His own authority": Greek: ap’ heautou (ἀπ’ ἑαυτοῦ). Emphasizes that the Spirit's speech is not autonomous but divinely commissioned and sourced.
"but whatever He hears": Greek: alla osa an akouē (ἀλλὰ ὅσα ἂν ἀκούῃ). Describes the Spirit's reception of divine revelation from the Father and the Son.
"He will speak": Greek: houtos lalēsei (οὗτος λαλῂσει). Indicates the direct impartation of what is heard.
"and He will tell": Greek: kai ta erchomena (καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα). Specifically refers to future events and divine plans.
"you things to come": Greek: proaggeleil (προαγγελεῖ). To announce beforehand, to prophesy.
Phrase/Group Analysis:
- "the Helper, the Spirit of truth": This pairing emphasizes both the function (Helper) and the essence (Spirit of truth) of the Holy Spirit. It links His supportive role with His absolute truthfulness.
- "will guide you into all truth": This signifies the Spirit's comprehensive and progressive revelation, leading believers to a complete understanding of God's will and revelation, not merely fragments.
- "will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak": This highlights the Spirit's perfect unity and obedience to the Father and the Son. His message is consistently divine in origin and content, acting as a conduit of God's revealed will.
- "tell you things to come": This points to the Spirit's prophetic and revelatory function, informing believers of future events and God's unfolding plan.
John 16 3 Bonus Section
The concept of the Paraklētos is significant in understanding the multifaceted role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life. This same term is used by Jesus in other passages (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7-8, 16:13-14), portraying Him as one who comes alongside, pleads our cause, defends us, comforts us, and teaches us. This assurance from Jesus provided immense comfort and empowerment to the early disciples, enabling them to persevere through persecution and fulfill their mission. The emphasis on "all truth" suggests a progressive revelation and understanding, meaning that as believers engage with God's Word and Spirit, their comprehension deepens over time.
John 16 3 Commentary
Jesus assures His disciples that His departure is not an abandonment but a strategic move for the sending of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not merely a guide but a "Helper," emphasizing His active role in supporting, comforting, and interceding for believers. The phrase "Spirit of truth" underlines His ultimate faithfulness and purity in revealing divine realities. His communication is wholly sourced from God the Father and the Son, ensuring that His message is always consistent with divine truth. He will lead believers into a comprehensive understanding of all truth, both presently known and yet to be revealed, including future events. This promise speaks to the indwelling nature of the Spirit in the lives of believers, enabling them to comprehend spiritual matters that the world, lacking the Spirit, cannot.
- Practical Usage:
- When facing difficult decisions, seek the Holy Spirit's guidance through prayer and scripture.
- When teaching or sharing God's Word, rely on the Spirit to speak through you, not on your own eloquence.
- When encountering false teachings, test them against the truth revealed by the Spirit.