John 16:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

All things {G3956} that {G3745} the Father {G3962} hath {G2192} are {G2076} mine {G1699}: therefore {G5124}{G1223} said I {G2036}, that {G3754} he shall take {G2983} of {G1537} mine {G1699}, and {G2532} shall shew {G312} it unto you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everything the Father has is mine; this is why I said that he receives from what is mine and will announce it to you.

Berean Standard Bible

Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.

American Standard Version

All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 16:15 is a profound declaration by Jesus, asserting His co-equality and intrinsic unity with God the Father, stating that "All things that the Father hath are mine." This foundational truth then undergirds the promise that the Holy Spirit, upon His arrival, will draw from this shared divine treasury—that which belongs to Christ—and reveal it to the disciples, thereby illuminating the deep truths of God and Christ's redemptive work to believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 16:15 is situated within Jesus' extensive Farewell Discourse, spanning chapters [John 13-17](/john/13-17 "John 13-17 - Jesus' Farewell Discourse"). Delivered in the Upper Room on the eve of His crucifixion, this discourse serves as Jesus' final, intimate teaching to His disciples before His physical departure. He prepares them for the challenges ahead, offers comfort, and, crucially, promises the coming of the Holy Spirit. This particular verse builds upon earlier promises regarding the Spirit's role as a Helper and Teacher ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Helper")), and the Spirit of Truth who testifies about Jesus ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit of Truth Testifies of Jesus")). In [John 16:7-14](/john/16-7-14 "John 16:7-14 - The Spirit's Work of Conviction and Guidance"), Jesus details the Spirit's work of convicting the world and guiding believers into all truth. Verse 15 then clarifies the *source* of the Spirit's revelation, emphasizing the perfect unity and shared possession between the Father and the Son, from which the Spirit draws.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For Jesus' Jewish disciples, the concept of God was strictly monotheistic, encapsulated in the Shema: "[Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel")" ([Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel")). Jesus' repeated claims to divine authority, equality with the Father, and pre-existence would have been revolutionary, even scandalous, to many of His contemporaries. His declaration in John 16:15, "All things that the Father hath are mine," is a profound assertion of His deity, placing Him on par with Yahweh. The disciples, steeped in this monotheistic tradition, struggled to fully grasp the Trinitarian nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as distinct persons yet one God. The promise of the Holy Spirit's illumination was therefore critical for them to comprehend these deep theological truths, especially after Jesus' physical absence.

* **Key Themes:** John 16:15 contributes significantly to several major theological themes within the Gospel of John. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Divine Unity and Equality** of the Father and the Son. Jesus' declaration that "All things that the Father hath are mine" is a direct assertion of His co-equality and shared essence with God the Father, highlighting His divine nature and inherent right to all attributes, power, and glory belonging to the Father, a concept central to understanding the [oneness of the Father and the Son](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One"). Secondly, the verse clearly reveals the **Holy Spirit's Illuminating Ministry**. The Spirit "shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you," meaning the Spirit does not speak independently but draws from the inexhaustible treasury of Christ's (and thus the Father's) truth, making it understandable and applicable to believers. This promise assures the disciples (and all future believers) that they would not be left without guidance and revelation after Jesus' physical departure, as the Spirit will guide them into [all truth](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit Guides into All Truth"). Finally, the passage emphasizes the **Revelation of Christ's Truth** as the ultimate purpose of the Spirit's work, which is to glorify Christ and make His person, work, and teachings known, providing deeper insight into His character and redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hath (Greek, _échō'_):** This verb (G2192) signifies possession, ownership, or holding. In this context, it underscores Jesus' inherent right to all that belongs to the Father, not as a derived gift or delegated authority, but as an intrinsic, shared reality of their divine essence. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of the Father's possessions being equally the Son's.
* **mine (Greek, _emós'_):** This possessive pronoun (G1699) directly translates to "my" or "mine." Its use here emphasizes the personal and rightful ownership of Jesus over all that belongs to the Father. It highlights the profound and intimate relationship between the Father and the Son, where there is no division of essence or property.
* **shew (Greek, _anangéllō'_):** This verb (G312) means "to announce (in detail)," "to declare," or "to report." It implies a clear, authoritative, and comprehensive disclosure. The Holy Spirit's role is not merely to hint at truth but to make divine realities understandable, known, and accessible to believers, providing detailed insight and revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All things that the Father hath are mine":** This opening clause is a profound declaration of Jesus' divine nature and co-equality with God the Father. It asserts that there is no attribute, power, glory, or possession belonging to the Father that does not equally belong to the Son. This is a claim of absolute identity in essence and authority within the Godhead, foundational to Trinitarian theology.
* **"therefore said I":** This phrase serves as a logical connector, indicating that the subsequent statement is a direct consequence or explanation stemming from the preceding declaration of divine unity and shared possession. Because the Father's possessions are also the Son's, the Spirit's ministry of revelation is possible and necessary.
* **"that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you":** This clause reveals the specific ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's revelation is not independent but is sourced directly from Christ ("of mine"). This "taking" implies drawing from the inexhaustible treasury of Christ's person, work, and teachings. The Spirit then "shews" or makes these truths known to the disciples (and by extension, to all believers), illuminating their understanding and enabling them to grasp the profound realities of God's redemptive plan revealed in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
John 16:15 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truths. The primary device is **Assertion/Declaration**, as Jesus makes a direct and unequivocal statement about His divine nature and shared essence with the Father. This is not a suggestion or a question, but a definitive pronouncement. There is also an element of **Metonymy** in the phrase "take of mine," where "mine" stands for the truths, teachings, glory, and very person of Christ. The abstract concept of "what belongs to Christ" is represented by the possessive pronoun. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is presented with clear **Personification**, described as an active agent who "takes" and "shows." This highlights the distinct personhood of the Spirit and His active, intentional ministry in revealing divine truth, rather than being an impersonal force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 16:15 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the intricate relationship within the Godhead and the mechanism of divine revelation. It unequivocally affirms the full deity of Jesus Christ, asserting His co-equality and shared essence with the Father. This declaration is not merely a statement of status but the very basis for the Holy Spirit's ministry: because everything the Father possesses is also the Son's, the Spirit can draw from this infinite wellspring of divine truth and reveal it to humanity. This verse beautifully illustrates the Trinitarian harmony in salvation and sanctification, where the Father gives all to the Son, and the Spirit then illuminates the Son to believers, ensuring that true knowledge of God is always Christ-centered and Spirit-revealed.

* [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Helper") - "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."
* [1 Corinthians 2:10-11](/1_corinthians/2-10-11 "1 Corinthians 2:10-11 - The Spirit Reveals God's Deep Things") - "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
* [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ") - "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 16:15 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers across all ages, affirming the deep interconnectedness and unity of the Trinity in the work of salvation and revelation. For us today, this verse means that we have direct access to divine truth and understanding through the Holy Spirit, who continually reveals Christ to us. Our knowledge of God is not based on mere human speculation or intellect but on the Spirit's supernatural illumination of Christ's words and works. It encourages us to rely on the Holy Spirit for spiritual insight, guidance, and wisdom, knowing that He draws directly from the boundless wisdom and authority of Christ and the Father. This understanding deepens our appreciation for the triune God and strengthens our faith, knowing that the Spirit is ever at work to make Christ real and present in our lives, guiding us into a deeper relationship with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does John 16:15 deepen your understanding of the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?**
* **In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit "taking of Christ's" truth and "showing it to you" in your own life, leading to greater clarity or conviction?**
* **How might a greater reliance on the Holy Spirit's illuminating work transform your daily walk with God and your study of His Word?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that the Holy Spirit is subordinate to Jesus?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply the Holy Spirit is subordinate to Jesus in essence or deity. Instead, it highlights the distinct yet harmonious roles within the Trinity. The Holy Spirit's ministry is characterized by glorifying Christ and revealing His truth, as Jesus Himself states in [John 16:14](/john/16-14 "John 16:14 - The Spirit Glorifies Christ"): "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." This "receiving" or "taking" from Christ is not a sign of inferiority but of perfect unity and a voluntary, functional distinction. The Spirit does not speak on His own authority, but reveals what is already true of the Father and the Son, ensuring that the divine message is consistent and unified. The Spirit's work is to point to Christ, just as Christ's work was to reveal the Father, demonstrating the perfect, selfless love and cooperation within the Godhead.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 16:15 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit, who makes the person and work of Jesus Christ real and accessible to believers across all generations. The "things of mine" that the Spirit takes and reveals are not abstract concepts but the very essence of Christ's redemptive mission: His incarnation as God in human flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross for the sins of humanity ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")), His glorious resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - Christ's Death and Resurrection")), and His ascension to the Father's right hand ([Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - Jesus' Ascension")). The Spirit illuminates these truths, convicting hearts of sin, righteousness, and judgment ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Spirit Convicts the World")), drawing individuals to faith in Christ, and empowering them to live in conformity to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")). Through the Spirit, believers truly know Christ, not merely as a historical figure, but as a living Lord, enabling them to bear witness to Him with power ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")) and ensuring that Christ's presence and truth remain with His church until His glorious return, fulfilling His promise to not leave His disciples as orphans ([John 14:18](/john/14-18 "John 14:18 - Jesus Will Not Leave His Disciples as Orphans")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 17:10

And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

Matthew 11:27

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].

John 3:35

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Luke 10:22

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him].

Colossians 1:19

For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell;

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

John 13:3

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;