John 16:12–15 (WEL) “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot comprehend it now. 13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He will hear, He will speak and will tell you things to come. 14 “He will glorify Me, for He will receive from Me and tell it to you. 15 “Everything that the Father has is Mine, which is why I said that He will take what is Mine and tell it to you.
V12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot comprehend it now.
Why can’t they comprehend the teaching yet?
Possibilities:
- They don’t have the foundation, basics, of a particular topic at this point in their life.
- They need to experience or see some things before they can understand it.
- They don’t have the faith to believe it yet.
Compare 1 Corinthians 3:1 and Hebrews 5:11–14.
Principle: God, the greatest possible teacher, knows how much information and teaching we can handle. Thus, He may take a number of years working towards that goal.
(Holman Apologetics Commentary on the Bible— Gospels and Acts) “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now (16:12): In 15:15, Jesus tells his followers, ‘I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.’ If Jesus has made everything known to the disciples (15:15), how can he say at the same time that he still has ‘many things to tell’ them (16:12)? The alleged problem is resolved once we read these two statements in view of each other. In the context of 15:15, Jesus is explaining that he no longer calls the disciples servants; he now calls them friends. Whereas servants or slaves are simply told what to do, friends are given more information, which enables them to attain a fuller understanding in their obedience (Carson 1991, 523).”
V13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He will hear, He will speak and will tell you things to come.
The Greek word for guide is G3594 ὁδηγέω hodēgeō, which means (Louw & Nida) to guide or to direct, with the implication of making certain that people reach an appropriate destination— to lead, to guide. τυφλὸς δὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῃ̂ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσου̂νται if one who is blind tries to guide another who is blind, they will both fall into a ditch Matthew 15:14 ὁδηγήσει αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ζωη̂ς πηγὰς ὑδάτων he shall lead them to living springs of water Revelation 7:17.
The Holy Spirit knows the information, how to present it, when to present it, how to teach it understandably, and apply it to our lives. Let us trust His teaching.
Note how the Holy Spirit guides us into truth, not philosophy, not financial, not opinions, etc., but He guides into the truth (reality). We must be very careful not to fall into the trap of philosophy but understand the Scriptures in their plain, normal sense.
What the Holy Spirit teaches is approved by God (God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit).
The Holy Spirit individualizes our education; it is perfectly tailored for each believer in Jesus Christ.
The timing of this education was particularly begun at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–11).
The Holy Spirit knows the past, present, and future perfectly.
The Bible’s recorded past, present, and future revelations are to be interpreted in their plain, normal sense. Today, it is rare for people to read prophecy related to the future in its plain, normal sense.
V14 “He will glorify Me, for He will receive from Me and tell it to you.
How does the Holy Spirit glorify Jesus?
All prophecy about Jesus’s first ministry has occurred perfectly and on time.
All prophecy about Jesus’s coming ministries will happen exactly as worded at the correct time.
The words will cause us to worship, thank, praise, and obey the Lord Jesus.
V15 “Everything that the Father has is Mine, which is why I said that He will take what is Mine and tell it to you.
What the Father has, the Son has also. Compare John 15:15.
We learn:
- About the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
- God teaches us according to our ability.
Questions:
- How has the Holy Spirit guided you?
- Explain how God has taught you over the years.