John 16:12-15.  The work of the Holy Spirit

After the Last supper, Jesus continues to tell the disciples about the mission they are to undertake. The “Spirit of truth” (15:26) is the Holy Spirit; he will be sent to the disciples, the Church, by Christ “from the Father”. Jesus’ statement “yet none of you asks me, ‘where are you going?”‘ (v.5) seems strange because the disciples have asked the question earlier (13:36, 14:5). Perhaps he is saying: overwhelmed with “sorrow” (v.6), you are missing the main point: the coming of the Spirit. By leaving them, Jesus is able to send the Spirit, “the Advocate” (v.7). One thing the spirit will do is to show “the world” (v.8, unbelievers, possibly Jews) that they are wrong on three counts:

•     their idea of sin is incorrect (v.9);

•     the righteous (the Jewish authorities) who condemned Jesus were wrong: he is God’s agent (v.10); and

•     he has defeated sin (v.11).

An example: healing on the Sabbath is not sinful.

Now v. 12-13: the disciples have much more to learn from Jesus, but they are not yet ready to comprehend it. The Spirit will expand on what Jesus has told them. In guiding them, the Spirit will speak what comes to him from God (as Jesus has spoken what the Father has told him). The Spirit will “declare” (v.13) about event “to come”, not only prophecy about the end-times but also guidance in the way of Christ, after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Spirit will elucidate for them that Jesus fulfils God’s plans; he will reveal the essential nature of God, and show Christ’s power (“glorify”, v.14). whether the word comes from the Father, the son, or the Holy Spirit, it is the same.

© 1996-2025 Chris Haslam

Prayer of the Day

Father, we praise you, that through your Word and Holy Spirit you created all things; you reveal your salvation in all the world through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh; through your Holy Spirit you gave us a share in your life and love: fill us with the vision of your glory, that we may always serve and praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,  one God, for ever and ever. Amen.