John 16:12-13

John 16:12-13

[12] I have  yet  many things  to say  but  ye cannot  bear them  now.  [13] Howbeit  when  he,  the Spirit  of truth,  is come,  he will guide  all  truth:  for  not  speak  of  himself;  but  whatsoever  he shall hear,  that shall he speak:  and  he will shew  things to come. 

What does John 16:12-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

These verses begin the fifth and final paraclete passage in the Upper Room Discourse ( John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 15:26-27; John 16:7-15). The passage focuses on the completion of the revelation that Jesus brought from the Father (cf. John 1:1; John 1:14; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1-4). The New Testament consistently views the revelation that Jesus gave the apostles through the Spirit following His ascension as a continuation of Jesus" revelation.
Jesus never acted on His own initiative but only in obedience to the Father. The Spirit who would reveal the truth would do the same. This description implies the Spirit"s complete equality with Jesus in the Godhead. The Spirit would not give revelation that conflicted with what Jesus had taught. The source of both the Son"s and the Spirit"s teaching was the Father.
Specifically the Spirit would reveal things still future. While this revelation would include yet unknown facts about the future (i.e, eschatology), the expression covers all that would be ahead for the disciples following Jesus" separation from them. This would include the full significance of Jesus" passion (cf. John 14:26) as well as all the revelation now contained in the New Testament.