John 16:13—“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
As Jesus continued His discourse on the night before His crucifixion about the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit among His true followers, He said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” The eleven apostles who first heard these words were assured that the Holy Spirit would complete Christ’s revealing of divine truth and enable them to proclaim and record it faithfully. Through this divine guidance, the New Testament Scriptures were given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, making the Bible God’s complete and sufficient revelation (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21).
The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of truth” because He is the divine Author, Teacher, and Interpreter of God’s truth. He never originates a message independent of the Father and the Son, for Christ said, “he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak”. This reveals the perfect unity within the Godhead. The Spirit faithfully communicates the will of God and glorifies Christ rather than Himself, as Jesus said in the next verse, “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:14).
The promise that “he will shew you things to come” was fulfilled as the apostles received divine revelation concerning the future, including the growth of the church, coming trials, Christ’s return, and the consummation of all things. This prophetic ministry is preserved in the New Testament, especially in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although believers today do not receive new revelation, the Holy Spirit continues to illuminate the inspired Scriptures, enabling us to understand, believe, and obey God's truth (1 Corinthians 2:12–14; Ephesians 1:17–18). He leads us not by private revelations or human imagination, but by the written Word He inspired. Therefore, every Christian should humbly depend upon the Spirit, diligently search the Scriptures, and gladly submit to the truth that sanctifies the soul (John 17:17).
