John 14:16
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
King James Version (KJV)
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In His farewell discourse before the cross, Jesus comforts His disciples over His departure by promising that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to be with them permanently.
What Does John 14:16 Mean?
Jesus is promising that He will ask the Father to give His followers another Comforter -- the Holy Spirit -- who will remain with them permanently. The disciples are grieving Jesus' approaching departure, and here He assures them they will not be left alone. He himself will pray to the Father, and the Father will give them a divine helper to take His place among them. This is a word of profound consolation in a moment of loss.
The word "another" is significant: it means another of the same kind. The Comforter would be to the disciples what Jesus Himself had been -- a presence to guide, strengthen, teach, and stand beside them. The Greek term, "parakletos," carries the sense of one called alongside to help, to advocate, and to comfort. Unlike Jesus' physical presence, which was about to be withdrawn, this presence would "abide with you for ever." The gift is permanent, not temporary. Here we see the Father, the Son, and the Spirit working together for the good of God's people: the Son asks, the Father gives, and the Spirit comes to dwell. For every believer, this verse means we are never spiritually orphaned. The same divine help that accompanied the first disciples remains the abiding portion of all who belong to Christ.
In the Original Language
The Greek "parakletos" (παράκλητος) means one called alongside -- a helper, advocate, comforter; and "allon" (ἄλλον) means another of the same kind, one like Jesus Himself.
Cross References
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
- John 14:17
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
- John 16:7
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
- Acts 1:8
Application
Take heart that you are never left alone; the same divine Helper given to the first disciples abides with all who belong to Christ, forever.