John Chapter 16 · Verse 14
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Original Language Analysis
ἐκεῖνος
He
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
He
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
1 of 11
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
δοξάσει
shall glorify
G1392
δοξάσει
shall glorify
Strong's:
G1392
Word #:
3 of 11
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 11
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
5 of 11
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λήψεται,
he shall receive
G2983
λήψεται,
he shall receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
8 of 11
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 15:26But 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:Revelation 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.1 Corinthians 12:3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Galatians 5:5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Historical Context
Jesus spoke these words in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion (John 13-17). The disciples were confused and grieving at Jesus's impending departure. Jesus promises the παράκλητος (paraklētos)—Advocate, Comforter, Helper—who would continue His work after His ascension. In the first-century context, where the disciples had walked physically with Jesus for three years, the promise of the Spirit's ongoing revelation was both mysterious and essential. The early church experienced this at Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Spirit empowered preaching that exalted the risen Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you discern whether teaching or worship is truly Spirit-led, given that the Spirit's purpose is to glorify Christ, not draw attention to Himself?
- What does it mean that the Spirit 'receives of Christ's'—how does this shape our understanding of revelation and spiritual insight?
- In what ways might contemporary Christianity subtly shift focus from Christ to spiritual experiences, contradicting the Spirit's Christ-glorifying mission?
Analysis & Commentary
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. Jesus defines the Holy Spirit's central mission: to glorify Christ (δοξάσει με/doxasei me). The future tense indicates the Spirit's ongoing work from Pentecost onward. The verb δοξάζω (doxazō) means to honor, magnify, or render glorious—the Spirit exalts Christ, not Himself.
The phrase he shall receive of mine (λήμψεται ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ/lēmpsetai ek tou emou) establishes the Spirit's economic subordination within the Trinity. The Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and reveals it to believers. This is not ontological inferiority but functional order in redemption.
Shew it unto you (ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν/anangelei hymin)—the Spirit declares, announces, proclaims Christ's truth. Any teaching that diminishes Christ or centers on the Spirit Himself contradicts the Spirit's own purpose. True Spirit-filled ministry magnifies Jesus, not spiritual experiences or manifestations.