What does John 16:15 mean?

Explanation

John 16:15 is part of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples in the Gospel of John, chapters 14 to 17, where He is preparing them for His impending departure and giving them guidance for the time when He will no longer be with them physically.

In this verse, Jesus speaks of the unity and indivisibility of what belongs to the Father and the Son.

He is emphasizing that all He has comes from the Father and that the Spirit will reveal this truth to the disciples.

The deeper meaning here touches on the themes of revelation, the relationship within the Trinity, and the sharing of divine knowledge and authority with the followers of Jesus.

Historical Context

The Gospel of John is generally believed to have been written towards the end of the first century AD.

It was a time of growing tension between the emerging Christian community and both the Jewish religious establishment and the Roman Empire.

The farewell discourse is set during the Last Supper, before Jesus' crucifixion, reflecting a period of anxiety and uncertainty for the disciples.

The author of John's gospel often presents Jesus' teachings in a way that speaks to the needs of the early church, reconciling the absence of Jesus with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Theological Insights

Theologically, John 16:15 can be viewed from several perspectives:

• Trinitarian theology: The verse underlines the unity between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, suggesting a mutual indwelling and co-ownership of all things within the Trinity.

This concept is sometimes referred to as perichoresis or circumincession.

• Christology: The verse also has implications for understanding who Jesus claimed to be, distinct from the Father but sharing fully in the divine essence and authority.
• Pneumatology: This verse touches on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, namely, revelation and guidance into the truth of who Jesus is and the realities of God’s kingdom.

From different Christian traditions, these insights may be expanded upon or interpreted in different ways, reflecting the diversity within Christianity.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse encourages believers to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding and living out their faith.

It suggests that knowledge and truth come from God and that believers can trust the Holy Spirit to reveal and interpret divine truths for them. It also calls for a confidence in the unity of the message of the Bible, seeing it as a cohesive revelation of God’s character and will.

Cross-References

• John 14:26: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
• John 17:10: "And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them."
• 1 Corinthians 2:12: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, significant words include:

• "πάντα" (panta): Translated as "all things" emphasizing completeness.
• "ἔχει" (echei): Translated as "hath" or "has", indicating possession.
• "ἐκεῖνος" (ekeinos): Often translated as "he", in reference to the Spirit, underscored by the masculine pronoun, which affirms the personal nature of the Holy Spirit.

Understanding these words in their original language and context offers deeper insight into the meanings of ownership, completeness, and the personal nature of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions and mythologies, gods often have exclusive domains of power and knowledge.

The concept of Gods sharing everything equally, as implied in John 16:15, is unique to the monotheistic concept of the Trinity in Christianity.

It is a distinct portrayal of divine relationship far removed from the competitive and often conflictual dynamics seen among the deities of pantheistic religions like those of ancient Greece and Rome.

Scientific Perspectives

While John 16:15 does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives, the verse speaks to the Christian understanding of ultimate truths that are not discernible by empirical science alone.

It points to spiritual knowledge and revelation as aspects of human experience and understanding that go beyond what can be tested and observed in the material world.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of John 16:15:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the complete revelation of the gospel by the Spirit and how it points to a close relation between the Father and the Son.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that 'all things' entails everything Christ taught and did, signifying the Spirit's role in illuminating the work and person of Jesus.
• Barclay's Daily Study Bible Series underscores the intimacy of the relationship between Jesus and God, indicating that the knowledge of the Father is also available to the disciples through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.