John Chapter 16 · Verse 15
All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Original Language Analysis
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
3 of 18
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
the Father
G3962
πατὴρ
the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
5 of 18
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
διὰ
G1223
διὰ
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
8 of 18
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
11 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
12 of 18
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 #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λήψεται,
he shall take
G2983
λήψεται,
he shall take
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
15 of 18
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 17:10And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.Matthew 11:27All 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 3:35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.Colossians 1:19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;Matthew 28:18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Luke 10:22All 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.John 13:3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;Colossians 2:9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.John 17:2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.Colossians 2:3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Historical Context
In the context of first-century Jewish monotheism, Jesus's claim that "all things that the Father hath are mine" was explosive—potential blasphemy unless true. Earlier, Jesus had declared "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30), provoking an attempt to stone Him for making Himself equal with God. This verse reaffirms that equality while explaining the Spirit's economy: the Spirit reveals the Son, who reveals the Father. The doctrine of the Trinity—one God in three persons sharing one undivided essence—was developed by the early church from statements like this.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's claim to possess all that the Father has establish His deity, and why is this essential to salvation?
- What does it mean that the Spirit reveals Christ, who reveals the Father—how does this Trinitarian economy shape Christian knowledge of God?
- Since Christ possesses all the Father's fullness, what does this imply about the inexhaustible nature of spiritual growth and knowledge?
Analysis & Commentary
All things that the Father hath are mine (πάντα ὅσα ἔχει ὁ Πατήρ ἐμά ἐστιν/panta hosa echei ho Patēr ema estin)—Jesus declares absolute equality with the Father. The emphatic πάντα (panta, "all things") encompasses divine attributes, authority, glory, knowledge, and power. This is deity language, affirming Christ's full divinity.
The present tense ἔχει (echei, "has") and ἐστιν (estin, "are") indicate permanent, eternal reality—not something granted temporally but intrinsic to Christ's divine nature. The possessive ἐμά (ema, "mine") shows complete mutual indwelling and shared essence between Father and Son.
Therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you—the δια τοῦτο (dia touto, "therefore") connects the Spirit's work to Christ's deity. Because all the Father's fullness dwells in Christ (Colossians 2:9), the Spirit revealing Christ's truth is simultaneously revealing the Father. The Spirit draws from Christ's inexhaustible riches to illumine believers—progressive sanctification involves growing knowledge of Christ's infinite glory.