King James Version

What Does John 15:26 Mean?

John 15:26 in the King James Version says “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth fr...” — study this verse from John chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But 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:”

John 15:26 · KJV

Holy SpiritTruth

Context

24

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25

But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

26

But 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:

27

And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus promises 'the Comforter' (ὁ παράκλητος/ho paraklētos), a title appearing only in Johannine literature (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1). Paraklētos literally means 'one called alongside' and encompasses multiple functions: advocate, helper, counselor, comforter. Jesus identifies the Comforter as 'the Spirit of truth' (τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας), indicating the Spirit's essential character and primary ministry—revealing, teaching, and guiding believers into truth (John 16:13). The Spirit's procession is described: He 'proceedeth from the Father' (ὃ παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐκπορεύεται). The verb ἐκπορεύεται (ekporeuetai, 'proceeds') indicates eternal procession, the Spirit's personal relation to the Father within the Godhead. This became foundational for pneumatological doctrine—the Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father (and historically, Western churches added 'and the Son,' the filioque controversy). Jesus declares He will 'send' (πέμψω/pempsō) the Spirit 'from the Father,' establishing both the Spirit's divine origin and Jesus' authority to send Him. The Spirit's mission is to 'testify of me' (ἐκεῖνος μαρτυρήσει περὶ ἐμοῦ)—the Spirit's testimony always points to Christ, exalting Jesus and applying His work to believers. The Spirit doesn't draw attention to Himself but illuminates Christ's person and work. This promise assured disciples that Jesus' departure wouldn't leave them orphaned (14:18); the Spirit would come as another Comforter, continuing and intensifying Christ's presence in believers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke these words in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion as part of the extended Farewell Discourse (John 13-17). The disciples were troubled by Jesus' announcement of His imminent departure. The promise of the Spirit addressed their anxiety—Jesus was leaving physically, but the Spirit would come to indwell, teach, and empower them. In Jewish thought, the Spirit of God was associated with prophetic inspiration, divine power, and the age to come (Joel 2:28-32, Ezekiel 36:25-27). Jesus promised that what had been occasional and external would become permanent and internal. The Spirit had rested 'upon' prophets and kings temporarily; now He would dwell 'in' all believers continuously (John 14:17). The promise was fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Spirit descended on gathered disciples with visible and audible signs. The subsequent book of Acts demonstrates the Spirit's testimony to Christ—through apostolic preaching, miraculous signs, and the global spread of the gospel. Early church theology developed the doctrine of the Trinity partly through reflection on Jesus' teaching about the Spirit. The Spirit is distinct from Father and Son (three persons), yet shares fully in deity. He is sent by both Father (14:26) and Son (15:26), proceeds from the Father, and testifies to the Son. Later theological debates centered on whether the Spirit proceeds from the Father alone (Eastern Orthodox) or from Father and Son together (Western Catholic/Protestant). Regardless, this verse establishes the Spirit's divine personhood, eternal procession, and Christ-exalting ministry.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the title 'Comforter' (Parakletos) reveal about the Holy Spirit's relationship to believers?
  2. How does the Spirit's designation as 'Spirit of truth' connect to Jesus' claim to be 'the truth' (John 14:6)?
  3. What is the significance of the Spirit's eternal procession from the Father and His being sent by the Son?
  4. How does the Spirit's primary mission to 'testify of me' (Christ) guard against Spirit-focused theology that marginalizes Jesus?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
Ὅταν1 of 25

“when”

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

δὲ2 of 25

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἔλθῃ3 of 25

“is come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ὁ4 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παράκλητος5 of 25

“the Comforter”

G3875

an intercessor, consoler

ὃ6 of 25

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐγὼ7 of 25

“I”

G1473

i, me

πέμψω8 of 25

“will send”

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

ὑμῖν9 of 25

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

παρὰ10 of 25

“from”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοῦ11 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρὸς12 of 25

“the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

τὸ13 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα14 of 25

“even the Spirit”

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τῆς15 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀληθείας16 of 25

“of truth”

G225

truth

ὃ17 of 25

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

παρὰ18 of 25

“from”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοῦ19 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρὸς20 of 25

“the Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἐκπορεύεται21 of 25

“proceedeth”

G1607

to depart, be discharged, proceed, project

ἐκεῖνος22 of 25

“he”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

μαρτυρήσει23 of 25

“shall testify”

G3140

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

περὶ24 of 25

“of”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

ἐμοῦ·25 of 25

“me”

G1700

of me

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 15:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 15:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 14:26John 14:16-17John 16:13-15Acts 5:32Acts 2:32-33Acts 15:8

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