John 16:13
What does John 16:13 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:13 means
The Spirit of truth will guide the disciples into all the truth. He will not speak independently but will communicate what He hears, faithfully delivering divine revelation. He will also declare things to come, preparing them for future realities. This guarantees reliability and sufficiency: the Spirit leads into the fullness of truth needed for faith and mission. His speaking “not from himself” guards against novel inventions; He conveys the mind of God, harmonizing with the Father and the Son. The promise undergirds the apostles’ teaching and the church’s confidence that God has not left His people in the dark but provides trustworthy guidance amid unfolding history and trials.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949However, when he, the Spirit of true knowledge, has come, he will be your guide into all true knowledge: for his words will not come from himself, but whatever has come to his hearing, that he will say: and he will make clear to you the things to come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when He may come--the Spirit of truth--He will guide you to all the truth, for He will not speak from Himself, but as many things as He will hear He will speak, and the coming things He will tell you;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall shew you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But when he is come, the Spirit of truth, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but whatsoever he shall hear he shall speak; and he will announce to you what is coming.
Context
Jesus now details the Spirit’s ministry to His followers. Whereas verses 8–11 focused on the Spirit’s work toward the world, this verse emphasizes guidance and revelation for the disciples. It underscores unity within the Godhead, paving the way for the next verses that state the Spirit’s aim: to glorify Jesus by taking what belongs to Him and making it known. This Christ-centered focus defines legitimate spiritual guidance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 11:28
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.
- Ephesians 4:7
But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
- 2 Peter 2:1
But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3
let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
- 1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
- John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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