John 16:13

"“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now."

Key Reflection

When Jesus speaks these words in John 16:13, he is addressing his disciples shortly before his crucifixion and resurrection. This statement comes after he has given them significant teachings about the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding them into all truth (John 15:26-27). The original audience would have understood that Jesus was aware of their limited capacity to grasp fully the complexity and depth of spiritual truths at that time, but also that these truths would be revealed gradually as the Holy Spirit worked through the apostles.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 13. The Spirit of truth. So called because he would teach them all needful truth. Will guide you into all truth. That is, truth which pertained to the establishment of the Christian system, which they were not then prepared to hear. We may here remark that this is a full promise that they would be inspired and guided in founding the new church; and we may observe that the plan of the Saviour was replete with wisdom.

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