What does John 14:26 mean?

Explanation

John 14:26 speaks of the promise of the Holy Spirit, referred to here as the "Comforter" or "Advocate" (Greek: Parakletos), who is to be sent by the Father in the name of Jesus.

The verse conveys the idea that the Holy Spirit will be a divine teacher and helper for the disciples, assisting them in understanding Jesus' teachings.

The Holy Spirit will teach them "all things" and help them recall Jesus' words.

This assurance is posed in a way that highlights the interconnected roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Christian understanding of God.

The verse suggests a deeper role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers that goes beyond mere memory; it is a continuous guidance into truth and understanding.

Historical Context

This verse originates from the Gospel of John, traditionally dated to the end of the first century (circa 90-100 AD).

The Gospel was written at a time when the early Christian community was experiencing growth and facing various challenges both externally from the broader Roman society and internally in the form of theological understandings and different interpretations of Jesus' life and messages.

The promise of the Holy Spirit was especially pertinent as the firsthand witnesses to Jesus' life were passing away, and the fledgling Christian communities needed assurance of divine guidance and authority to carry on Jesus' teachings.

Theological Insights

Theologically, John 14:26 provides significant insight into the doctrine of the Trinity in Christian theology. The Father sending the Spirit in the name of the Son reflects the unity and co-operation within the Godhead.

Moreover, the church has historically understood this verse as the bane of the doctrine of inspiration and infallibility of the Scriptures, as the apostles’ teachings (which make up the New Testament) are deemed to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

From a Pentecostal perspective, this verse is key to understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in individual empowerment and spiritual gifts, while in a more general Christian sense, it speaks to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit within the life of the believer.

Practical Applications

Practically, John 14:26 encourages believers to seek guidance and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, especially in trying to understand and live out the teachings of Jesus.

It can give comfort to those who fear forgetting or misrepresenting Jesus' words and commandments and can be seen as a call to rely on spiritual discernment in making decisions.

Cross-References

• John 16:13: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..."
• 1 John 2:27: "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you..."
• Luke 12:12: "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

Language Study

• "Comforter": The Greek word "parakletos" can be translated as "Comforter," "Advocate," or "Helper."
• "Holy Ghost": This is the term used in the King James Version for the Holy Spirit, and refers to the third person of the Trinity.
• "Teach": In Greek, "didaskein" indicates not just to inform but to fully instruct or imbue knowledge.
• "Remembrance": The Greek word "hypomnēsis" suggests active recalling or bringing to one's memory.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader Hellenistic world, there were notions of divine inspiration, where gods would impart knowledge or poetic gifts upon individuals, such as the Muses with poets.

However, the Christian concept of the Holy Spirit differs in that it reflects a unique, ongoing relationship between God and individuals, guiding them into all truth.

In Judaism, the concept of ruach ha-kodesh (the Holy Spirit) also exists, but its work and parallel in terms of divine guidance can differ from Christian interpretation, focusing more on a communal experience and less on individual teaching and remembrance.

Scientific Perspectives

While modern science doesn’t typically intersect with theology in terms of empirical evidence, the concept of memory and recall as mentioned in the verse is of great interest to cognitive psychology.

Science recognizes various factors that influence memory retention and recall, though it does not account for supernatural assistance as suggested by the verse.

Commentaries

Commentators have a wide range of interpretations of this verse.

Some, like Matthew Henry, emphasize the comforting role of the Holy Spirit, stressing the patience and teaching role the Spirit plays in the life of believers.

Others, such as William Barclay, have noted the dynamic aspect of the Holy Spirit's work, suggesting it is not limited to the time of the apostles but is an enduring promise for all believers to guide and illuminate Christian life and thought.

Contemporary scholars like N.T.

Wright focus on how this verse assures believers of the truthfulness and authority of Jesus' message through the teaching and embedding of these memories by the Holy Spirit.