The Spirit of Truth
"He will guide you into all truth"
This passage talks plainly about people being hurt for following Jesus.
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What does it say?
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Jesus warned his disciples that the world would hate them as it hated him, but promised to send the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, who would testify about him. He told them it was for their good that he was going away, because then the Spirit would come. The Spirit would guide them into all truth and glorify Jesus by making him known.
Where it is in the Bible: John 15:18 to 16:15
Before You Read
Where we are. It is still the night before Jesus dies. This is part of his last long talk with his disciples (John 14 to 16).
What he has promised. Jesus said he would ask the Father to send "another Advocate... the Spirit of truth" (14:16-17). An advocate is someone who stands beside you and speaks up for you.
What this part is about. Here Jesus tells his disciples two hard things and one good thing. The hard things: the world will hate them, and he is going away. The good thing: the Holy Spirit will come.
A note before reading. This passage talks plainly about people being hurt for following Jesus. It was true for the first disciples, and it is still true for some Christians today.
Map of the Passage
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hated Because of Me | 15:18-25 | The world hated Jesus first |
| 2. The Spirit Will Testify | 15:26-27 | The Spirit will tell the truth about Jesus |
| 3. So You Won't Fall Away | 16:1-4 | Jesus warns them ahead of time |
| 4. Better That I Go | 16:5-7 | Jesus must leave so the Spirit can come |
| 5. What the Spirit Will Do | 16:8-11 | The Spirit shows the world the truth |
| 6. Into All Truth | 16:12-15 | The Spirit guides and points to Jesus |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 6Hated Because of Me
"If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first" (15:18).
Here, "the world" means people who are turned against God.
Jesus had chosen his disciples out of the world. That is why the world would hate them.
"No servant is greater than his master" (15:20). If people treated Jesus badly, they would treat his followers badly too.
Jesus said people hated him without a reason, just as the Scriptures had said.
Section 2 of 6The Spirit Will Testify
Then Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit.
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me" (15:26). To testify means to tell what is true.
"And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning" (15:27).
The Spirit and the disciples would both tell people the truth about Jesus.
Section 3 of 6So You Won't Fall Away
Jesus said he told them all this so they would not fall away. To fall away means to give up following him.
He warned them that they would be put out of the synagogues, the places where people met to pray. Some people would even think they were serving God by killing them.
They would do this because they did not know the Father or Jesus.
Jesus told them now so that later they would remember he had warned them.
Section 4 of 6Better That I Go
Now Jesus was going back to the Father who sent him. The disciples were full of sorrow.
"But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away" (16:7). For your benefit means for your good.
"Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you" (16:7).
Section 5 of 6What the Spirit Will Do
Jesus said the Spirit would convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. To convict means to show someone the truth about what they have done wrong.
About sin: people do not believe in Jesus.
About righteousness: Jesus is going to the Father. Righteousness means being right with God.
About judgment: "the prince of this world has been condemned" (16:11). The prince of this world means the devil. He has already lost.
Section 6 of 6Into All Truth
"I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it" (16:12).
"However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth" (16:13).
The Spirit will not speak on his own. He will speak what he hears, and tell them what is to come.
"He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you" (16:14). To disclose means to make known.
Everything the Father has belongs to Jesus too. The Spirit takes it and makes it known.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "It hated Me first" (15:18) | When Christians are treated badly for following Jesus, they share in what he went through. |
| "The Spirit of truth... will testify about Me" (15:26) | The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus. |
| "You also must testify" (15:27) | Jesus's followers tell others about him too. |
| "It is for your benefit that I am going away" (16:7) | Jesus's leaving made room for the Spirit, who lives in all his people everywhere. |
| "The prince of this world has been condemned" (16:11) | The devil has already lost. |
| "He will guide you into all truth" (16:13) | The Spirit leads the church in the truth about Jesus. |
| "He will glorify Me" (16:14) | The Spirit's work is to make Jesus known. |
Back Then
Jesus's followers were put out of synagogues. John's Gospel tells about a man who was thrown out for saying Jesus came from God (9:34).
Some of the disciples were killed. The book of Acts tells how James, one of the twelve, was put to death by King Herod (Acts 12:2). Jesus warned them this would happen.
"Proceeds from the Father." The Nicene Creed, which many churches say together, uses these words about the Holy Spirit.
Literal Reader Alert
Does everyone hate Christians? No. "The world" here means people turned against God. Many people who are not Christians are kind to Christians. Jesus was preparing his disciples for real dangers that were coming.
Should I expect people to hurt me for being a Christian? In some places, Christians are in real danger. In other places, people may tease you or leave you out. Either way, you are not alone. Jesus said it happened to him first. If someone is hurting you, tell a trusted adult. In the U.S., if you are in danger, call 911.
How could leaving be good? While Jesus was on earth, he was in one place at a time. The Spirit lives in all of Jesus's people at once, everywhere in the world.
Does the Spirit give new teachings that go beyond Jesus? No. Jesus said the Spirit takes "from what is Mine" (16:14). The Spirit always points back to Jesus.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The disciples | Sad | Jesus said he was going away (16:6) |
| The disciples | Afraid | Jesus warned them they would be hated (15:18, 16:2) |
| Jesus | Caring | He told them ahead of time so they would not fall away (16:1, 16:4) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you need the Holy Spirit's help with? Tap one.
Understanding Jesus
The Spirit guides into all truth, and he always points to Jesus.
Telling others
Jesus said the Spirit testifies, and so do you. You don't have to do it alone.
Feeling left out
Jesus said it happened to him first. You are not alone.
Missing someone
The disciples were sad Jesus was leaving. He sent a Helper who never leaves.
You Might Have Heard
"The Holy Spirit is mainly about having special feelings or powers."
What's true: The Spirit gives real gifts and real comfort.
What the passage is mainly about: The Spirit's main work is to point to Jesus. "He will glorify Me" (16:14). The Spirit leads us into the truth about who Jesus is and what he has done.
Where Jesus is: Preparing his friends for hard days, and promising them a Helper who will never leave.
Good News
The disciples were sad and scared. Jesus didn't leave them alone.
"If I go, I will send Him to you" (16:7).
The devil has already lost (16:11). The Spirit of truth comes to lead God's people and point them to Jesus.
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who stays with his people and shows them Jesus.
Big Idea
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. The Spirit stays with Jesus's people, guides them into truth, and always points to Jesus.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism, Luther explains the Third Article of the Creed. He teaches that the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads John 15:26-27 and 16:4b-15 on the Day of Pentecost in Year B, and John 16:12-15 on Holy Trinity Sunday in Year C.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Spirit of Truth, explained in plain words. Jesus warns his friends about hard days, and promises the Holy Spirit. About 12 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-spirit-of-truth/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church