John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

And {G2532} I {G1473} will pray {G2065} the Father {G3962}, and {G2532} he shall give {G1325} you {G5213} another {G243} Comforter {G3875}, that {G2443} he may abide {G3306} with {G3326} you {G5216} for {G1519} ever {G165};

and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another comforting Counselor like me, the Spirit of Truth, to be with you forever.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,

John 14:16 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Farewell Discourse, offering profound comfort and a crucial promise to His disciples as He prepares them for His physical departure. It introduces the Person and ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit, assuring believers of a perpetual divine presence.

Context

This verse is found in John Chapter 14, which is part of a larger section (John 13-17) known as Jesus' Farewell Discourse. In these intimate moments, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. They are understandably troubled by His talk of leaving them. Jesus addresses their fears and provides reassurance, promising not to leave them orphaned (John 14:18) but to send another Helper who will continue His work among them.

Key Themes

  • The Promise of the Holy Spirit: This verse explicitly introduces the "Comforter" (Holy Spirit) as a divine gift from the Father, in response to Jesus' prayer. It underscores the Trinitarian cooperation in salvation history.
  • Jesus as Intercessor: Jesus states, "I will pray the Father," highlighting His ongoing role as an advocate for His followers, a theme further developed in His high priestly prayer in John 17 and throughout the New Testament.
  • The Spirit's Permanent Presence: The phrase "that he may abide with you for ever" is crucial. Unlike Jesus' physical presence, which was temporary, the Holy Spirit's indwelling is presented as eternal and unwavering, ensuring believers are never truly alone. This permanence contrasts with the Old Testament era, where the Spirit's presence was often temporary or for specific tasks.
  • Divine Companionship: The promise of the Comforter assures believers of a constant, intimate relationship with God through the Spirit, who will guide, teach, and empower them after Jesus' ascension.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "Comforter" in the King James Version is Paracletos (παράκλητος). This rich term carries several meanings beyond mere comfort. It can be understood as:

  • Advocate: One who pleads another's cause, like a legal counsel.
  • Helper/Assistant: One who comes alongside to provide aid and support.
  • Counselor: One who gives wise advice and guidance.
  • Encourager: One who brings solace and strength.

The term "another Comforter" (ἄλλον παράκλητον) is significant because it implies that Jesus Himself was the first "Comforter" or "Paraclete" for His disciples. Now, the Father would send another of the same kind, signifying the Holy Spirit's role would be similar to Jesus'—a constant presence, teacher, and guide.

Practical Application

For believers today, John 14:16 offers immense comfort and assurance:

  • Never Alone: The promise of the Holy Spirit means that followers of Christ are never abandoned. The Spirit of God permanently indwells believers (1 Corinthians 6:19), providing constant companionship and presence.
  • Empowerment for Living: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live a life pleasing to God, to understand His Word, and to carry out His mission. He provides strength in weakness and clarity in confusion.
  • Guidance and Truth: As the "Spirit of truth" (John 14:17), the Comforter guides believers into all truth, helping them discern God's will and apply biblical principles to daily life.
  • Divine Resource: This verse reminds us that we have a divine resource available to us in every circumstance. We can lean on the Spirit for comfort in sorrow, wisdom in decisions, and courage in challenges.

This profound promise underscores the continuous, active involvement of God in the lives of His people through the person of the Holy Spirit.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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 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 testify of me:

  • John 16:7

    Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

  • John 16:15

    All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

  • Romans 8:26

    ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

  • Romans 8:27

    And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

  • Romans 15:13

    ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
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