In John 13, Jesus begins to teach his faithful disciples in what is known as his “upper room discourse.” In that great speech, Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth ( John 16:13 ). Many wonder if this is something that applies to us as well or just to the disciples. In context, Jesus helps us understand the specificity of his promise that the Holy Spirit will “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13, NIV).
First, it’s worth noting that some English translations say “all truth” while the Greek New Testament actually includes the definite article, so a more accurate way to translate what Jesus said is that the Holy Spirit would guide them. to all things true. There is a specific truth that He is referring to, and the Holy Spirit would lead them to that. Specifically, the Spirit would reveal what the Son and the Father would have it reveal ( John 16:13–15 ), things about Jesus ( John 16:14 ).
Jesus had already told the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would teach them and remind them of all that Jesus had told them (John 14:26). Jesus’ later reference (in John 16:13) to the coming of the Holy Spirit and his work of leading them into all truth was literally fulfilled. Peter later said that the writers of the Scriptures were moved by God, and they spoke for God ( 2 Peter 1:21 ). When Matthew wrote his gospel, for example, Matthew didn’t need to borrow from anyone; he was in the room when Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. It appears that Mark, who served alongside Peter for some time, wrote Peter’s account (as church historian Eusebius suggests in His History of Him, 24:5–8). Luke researched reliable sources (presumably including the disciples) as he wrote his account of Jesus’ ministry ( Luke 1:1–4 ). John, another eyewitness, wrote his own gospel, claiming that what he had written provided enough information for people to believe in Jesus and have life in his name (John 20:30–31).
Before the disciples began their ministry, they were to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit ( Acts 1:4 ). After the Holy Spirit came, the disciples were equipped for their work, and we see them powerfully proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ (eg, Peter in Acts 2—4). The Holy Spirit had certainly guided them into the truth ( John 16:13 ) and reminded them of what Jesus had told them ( John 14:26 ).
While we certainly benefit from that work of the Holy Spirit, since we have the writings of these men who were led into truth by the Holy Spirit, it is clear in other contexts that this is not how the Holy Spirit works with all believers. Leading to the truth was simply a purpose for which He was sent to empower and equip his disciples. Paul tells Timothy, for example, that Timothy must be diligent as a worker, accurately using the word of truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ). Timothy would have to work to understand what had been written, and he would have to be diligent to keep true and pass on the things he had heard from Paul (2 Timothy 2:2). Similarly, we are told that all Scripture comes from the mouth of God and is useful for the growth and equipping of believers (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
We are grateful for and greatly benefit from the Holy Spirit guiding the apostles into all truth, and we recognize that because of the Spirit’s work through the disciples, we have His record—the Bible. We must be diligent in studying the Bible to know the Lord better.