John 16:15
What does John 16:15 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:15 means
Jesus asserts that all the Father has is His; therefore, when He says the Spirit will take what is “mine” and declare it, He is also speaking of what is the Father’s. This highlights the unity of purpose and possession within the Godhead. The knowledge the Spirit imparts is not secondhand rumor but the shared wisdom and will of Father and Son. For the disciples, this means that receiving the Spirit’s teaching is receiving the heart of God. It affirms Jesus’ divine status and assures believers that the revelation they receive through the Spirit is fully authoritative and complete, grounded in the eternal communion of Father, Son, and Spirit.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Everything which the Father has is mine: that is why I say, He will take of what is mine and will make it clear to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`All things, as many as the Father hath, are mine; because of this I said, That of mine He will take, and will tell to you;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine. Therefore I said that he shall receive of me and shew it to you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890All things that the Father has are mine; on account of this I have said that he receives of mine and shall announce [it] to you.
Context
This verse concludes the section on the Spirit’s ministry by anchoring it in the shared possessions of Father and Son. The Trinitarian harmony explains why the Spirit’s work glorifies Christ and communicates truth. With this theological foundation laid, Jesus turns to the immediate future of His passion and resurrection, introducing the enigmatic “little while” statements that stir confusion and open the way for promises of sorrow turning to joy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 11:27
All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.
- Colossians 2:3
in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.
- Colossians 1:19
For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;
- John 17:10
and all things that are mine are thine, and thine are mine: and I am glorified in them.
- John 13:3
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,
- John 17:2
even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore John 16
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 16.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is the cosmic conflict Christians face against evil forces as they live out their faith.
Topic
Bible Verses About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence, power, and wisdom, guiding believers into truth, empowering them for service, and transforming their lives
Topic
Bible Verses About the Trinity
Understanding the Trinity helps us grasp the complex nature of God as one being in three co-equal, co-eternal persons
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.