John 14:17
What does John 14:17 mean?
A plain-English look at John 14:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 14:17 means
The Helper is the Spirit of truth—He reveals and applies God’s reality. The world cannot receive Him because it neither sees nor knows Him; spiritual blindness keeps it from welcoming His presence. In contrast, the disciples know Him, because He abides with them already through Jesus’ ministry and will soon be in them in a new, intimate way. This shift from “with” to “in” signals the profound change after Jesus’ departure. The Spirit’s indwelling will make the truths Jesus taught alive within them, guiding and empowering them to live out His commandments and witness effectively to Him.
John 14:17 in context
John 14 — I Am the Way
On the night before his crucifixion Jesus comforts his disciples. He is going to prepare a place for them; he is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by him. He promises another Comforter — the Holy Spirit — who will dwell in them and bring his words to remembrance. The peace he gives is not as the world gives. Even with the cross hours away, he turns from his own sorrow to steady theirs.
- Heaven
- Exclusivity of Christ
- Holy Spirit promised
- Christ's peace
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even the Spirit of true knowledge. That Spirit the world is not able to take to its heart because it sees him not and has no knowledge of him: but you have knowledge of him, because he is ever with you and will be in you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it doth not behold him, nor know him, and ye know him, because he doth remain with you, and shall be in you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him. But you shall know him; because he shall abide with you and shall be in you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him nor know him; but ye know him, for he abides with you, and shall be in you.
Context
Having promised another Comforter, Jesus clarifies who He is and how He relates to different groups. The world’s inability to receive heightens the grace given to the disciples, who will experience an internal indwelling. This prepares for His assurance that they will not be left as orphans, and for the promise of His own coming to them. The flow comforts their fear of abandonment and shifts from external companionship to internal communion as the hallmark of the new era.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
- 1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
- 1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16
And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me:
- Proverbs 14:10
The heart knoweth its own bitterness; And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
Sermon ideas from John 14:17
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 14:17 teaches us about heaven
What John 14:17 teaches us about exclusivity of christ
What John 14:17 teaches us about holy spirit promised
What John 14:17 teaches us about christ's peace
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore John 14
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 14.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About God as Father
Understanding God as our Heavenly Father reveals His loving, protective, and provisionary nature toward His children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Heaven
Heaven is presented in Scripture as the dwelling place of God and the eternal home for believers
Topic
Bible Verses About Loneliness
Discover how the Bible addresses feelings of loneliness and offers comfort through connection with God and others.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.