Justin Houtz

Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

DateVersionReading Plan
August 14, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

John 16

Observation & Interpretation

Within the lengthy discourse Jesus had with His disciples, He told them that He was going to Him from whom He was sent (John 16:5). He told them that it was going to be to their advantage that He leaves because if He did not, the Helper would not come to them (John 16:7). He told them that when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). Jesus then gives more detail regarding these components of conviction:

  1. Concerning sin because they do not believe in Him (John 16:9)
  2. Concerning righteousness because Jesus goes to the Father and they will see Him no longer (John 16:10)
  3. Concerning judgement because the ruler of this world (satan) is judged (John 16:11)

Jesus continued by telling them that when the Spirit arrives, He will guide them into all the truth. “He will only speak the things that are given to Him to say by the Father and the Son. “He will tell you things to come.” This, of course, is done in the NT, and particularly in the book of Revelation where the future is unveiled.” (BBC). The Spirit will glorify Jesus, taking what is His and declare it to them (John 16:14). All that the Father has also belongs to Jesus, therefore the Spirit will take what is His and declare it to them (John 16:15).

Application

There are many opinions about the Holy Spirit, but Jesus’ instruction to His disciples recorded in John 16 paints a clear picture. The Spirit brings conviction concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. He guides into all truth, glorifying Jesus, taking what is His and declare it to us. In his book, Keep in Step with the Spirit, J. I. Packer spoke of the Spirit as a “floodlight,” illuminating Jesus.

A floodlight illuminates not itself but something other. Think of the theatre and the job the spotlights do. They illuminate the players on the stage. They are not to be the objects of attention. The Spirit as the Paraclete has come to floodlight or spotlight Christ as John 14-16 makes plain (e.g. John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-14). (Graham Cole – The Gospel Coalition)

Let us not then be in confusion of who is the Holy Spirit, to worship Him rightly as God but in clear understanding of His role within the Godhead.

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