“How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
Luke 11:13
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Words of Jesus by topic
What did Jesus say about the Holy Spirit?
Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit in several settings: controversy, prayer, the Last Supper, resurrection appearances, and the approach to the Ascension. John’s Farewell Discourse contains the most sustained teaching, using the titles “Comforter” and “Spirit of truth.”
At a glance
- Jesus tells disciples that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
- In John 14–16, the Spirit is called the Comforter and the Spirit of truth.
- The Spirit’s work includes teaching, bringing Jesus’ words to remembrance, witnessing, and guiding.
- After the resurrection and before the Ascension, Spirit-given power is tied directly to witness and mission.
The Father gives the Holy Spirit
Luke’s version of the asking-seeking-knocking teaching ends by naming the gift explicitly: the Holy Spirit.
Another Comforter
In John 14, Jesus promises “another Comforter” who will abide with the disciples. He identifies this helper as the Spirit of truth.
“I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter ... even the Spirit of truth.”
John 14:16–17
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Teaching and remembrance
Later in the same chapter, Jesus says the Comforter will teach and bring his words to remembrance.
“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost ... he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 14:26
Read this saying in the chronological reader →The Spirit of truth will guide
John 16 connects the coming Spirit with conviction, guidance, testimony, and glorifying Christ. The passage is framed by Jesus’ departure and the disciples’ sorrow.
“When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”
John 16:13
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Power for witness
Acts opens by recalling Jesus’ final instruction. The promised power is not presented as private prestige but as power for witness from Jerusalem outward.
“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.”
Acts 1:8
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