BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

Holy Spirit Speaking What He Hears From Son

The concept of the Holy Spirit speaking what He hears from the Son is rooted in Jesus's teachings in the Gospel of John. Jesus states, "For He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak" (John 16:13). This statement highlights the unity and cooperative nature within the Trinity, where the Holy Spirit's communication is not independent but is derived from the Son [7, 9].

Augustine of Hippo extensively discusses this relationship, noting the similarity between Jesus's statement about the Spirit and His own words: "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge" (John 5:30) [6, 9]. Augustine suggests that while Jesus's statement about hearing and judging might refer to His human nature, the Holy Spirit's speaking what He hears emphasizes His procession from the Father [5, 9]. The Holy Spirit is understood to proceed from the Father [2], and in the context of John 16:13, He conveys truth from God, guiding the judgment of the world [7].

The Holy Spirit's role as a teacher and guide is prominent in Christian theology. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit, also called the Comforter, would teach the disciples all things and bring to their remembrance all that He had said (John 14:26) [2, 4, 8]. This teaching function is not an independent revelation but is intrinsically linked to the Son's words and the Father's will. The Spirit reveals the things of God and the things of Christ [4]. John Chrysostom notes that the Spirit "quickeneth" and gives life, further illustrating His active role in the divine economy [11].

The unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a foundational aspect of this understanding. The Spirit speaks only what He has heard from the Father, demonstrating perfect unity within the Godhead [7]. This divine cooperation means that the Spirit's revelations are consistent with and illuminate the teachings of Christ. The disciples could expect the Spirit to reveal things they had not heard before, both about the present and the future, but these revelations would always be in harmony with the divine truth [7].

Augustine grapples with the profound mystery of the Son being the Word of the Father, yet also speaking what He hears from the Father, and similarly, the Spirit speaking what He hears [12, 13]. He acknowledges that human understanding struggles to fully grasp these divine relationships, emphasizing that the Son is the Word of the Father, not merely someone who hears a word [12]. The Spirit's communication is thus an extension of the divine truth originating from the Father and revealed through the Son.

The Holy Spirit is also identified by various titles that underscore His divine nature and functions, such as the "Breath of the Almighty," "Comforter," "Eternal Spirit," and "Spirit of God" [1]. He is given by the Father and by Christ, and sent in the name of Christ [2, 3]. This further reinforces the interconnectedness of the Trinitarian persons in their work and communication. The Spirit's guidance leads believers into "all truth," encompassing doctrine and worship, by removing obstacles and leading the way [10]. This guidance is not a new, separate message, but an unfolding and application of the truth already established by the Son.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of the Holy Spirit — Breath of the Almighty -- Job 33:4. Comforter -- Joh 14:16,26; 15:26. Eternal Spirit -- Heb 9:14. Free Spirit -- Ps 51:12. God -- Ac 5:3,4. Good Spirit -- Ne 9:20; Ps 143:10. Holy Spirit -- Ps 51:11; Lu 11:13; Eph 1:13; 4:30. Lord, The -- 2Th 3:5. Power of the Highest -- Lu 1:35. Spirit, The -- Mt 4:1; Joh 3:6; 1Ti 4:1. Spirit of the Lord God -- Isa 61:1. Spirit of the Lord -- Isa 11:2; Ac 5:9. Spirit of God -- Ge 1:2; 1Co 2:11; Job 33:4. Spirit of the Father -- Mt 10:20. Spirit of Christ -- Ro 8:9; 1Pe 1:11. Spirit of the Son --”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holy Spirit, the Comforter, The — Proceeds from the Father -- Joh 15:26. Given By the Father. -- Joh 14:16. By Christ. -- Isa 61:3. Through Christ's intercession. -- Joh 14:16. Sent in the name of Christ -- Joh 14:26. Sent by Christ from the Father -- Joh 15:26; 16:7. As such he Communicates joy to saints. -- Ro 14:17; Ga 5:22; 1Th 1:6. Edifies the Church. -- Ac 9:31. Testifies of Christ. -- Joh 15:26. Imparts the love of God. -- Ro 5:3-5. Imparts hope. -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Teaches saints. -- Joh 14:26. Dwells with, and in saints. -- Joh 14:17. Abides for ever with s”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gift of the Holy Spirit, The — By the Father -- Ne 9:20; Lu 11:13. By the Son -- Joh 20:22. To Christ without measure -- Joh 3:34. Given According to promise. -- Ac 2:38,39. Upon the exaltation. -- Ps 68:18; Joh 7:39. Through the intercession of Christ. -- Joh 14:16. In answer to prayer. -- Lu 11:13; Eph 1:16,17. For instruction. -- Ne 9:20. For comfort of saints. -- Joh 14:16. To those who repent and believe. -- Ac 2:38. To those who obey God. -- Ac 5:32. To the Gentiles. -- Ac 10:44,45; 11:17; 15:8. Is abundant -- Ps 68:9; Joh 7:38,39. Is permanent -- Isa 59:21; Ha”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holy Spirit, the Teacher, The — Promised -- Pr 1:23. As the Spirit of wisdom -- Isa 11:2; 40:13,14. Given In answer to prayer. -- Eph 1:16,17. To saints. -- Ne 9:20; 1Co 2:12,13. Necessity for -- 1Co 2:9,10. As such he Reveals the things of God. -- 1Co 2:10,13. Reveals the things of Christ. -- Joh 16:14. Reveals the future. -- Lu 2:26; Ac 21:11. Brings the words of Christ to remembrance. -- Joh 14:26. Directs in the way of godliness. -- Isa 30:21; Eze 36:27. Teaches saints to answer persecutors. -- Mr 13:11; Lu 12:12. Enables ministers to teach. -- 1Co 12:8. Guides i”
  5. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 3.--SOME THINGS CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE TO BE UNDERSTOOD ACCORDING TO THE ONE RULE ONLY. (part 2): speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak;" for the words belong to Him as proceeding from the Father. But whereas both the Son is of the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, why both are not called sons, and both not said to be begotten, but the former is called the one only-begotten Son, and the latter, viz. the Holy Spirit, neither son nor begotten, because if begotten, then certainly a son, ”
  6. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVI. 13. (part 2): whose obedience, as that also of one man, many are made righteous,(1) was not only obedient even unto the death of the cross, in respect of which He was judged as alive from the dead; but promised also that He would be showing obedience in the very judgment itself, wherein He is yet to act as judge of the quick and the dead, when He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge." But when it is said of the Holy Spirit, "For He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak," sha”
  7. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 16:13: 16:13 The Spirit of truth, who conveys truth from God, guides the judgment of the world. • The Spirit says only what he has heard from the Father. The Father, Son, and Spirit work in perfect unity (16:15). The disciples could expect the Spirit to reveal things they had not heard before about the present and the future (see 14:26).”
  8. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XIV. 25-27. (part 2): Son:"(2) listen to Him also teaching, in that where thou readest, "Ever man that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."(3) The Son, on the other hand, thou hast just heard speaking; for He saith of Himself, "Whatsoever I have said unto you:" and if thou wouldst also know Him as a Teacher, bethink thyself of the Master, when He saith, "One is your Master, even Christ."(4) Furthermore, of the Holy Spirit, whom thou hast just been told of as a Teacher in the words, "He shall teach you all things," list”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVI. 13. (part 1): I. What IS this that the Lord said of the Holy Spirit, when promising that He would come and teach His disciples all truth, or, guide them into all truth: "For He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak"? For this is similar to what He said of Himself, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge."(1) But when expounding that, we said that it might be taken as referring to His human nature;(2) so that He seemed as the Son to announce beforehand that His own obedience, whereby ”
  10. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 16:11: Howbeit, when the Spirit of truth is come,.... Of this character of the Spirit, see Joh 14:17. His coming, as before, intends more especially his descent on the apostles at Pentecost; though what is here said of him is true of his office, and of his operations on other persons, and at other times: he will guide you into all truth; necessary to be known, useful to men, profitable to the churches, even the whole counsel of God; what relates to worship, the nature, form, and spirituality of it, as well as doctrine. He is as a guide, he goes before, leads the way, remove”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: have life, and might have it more abundantly.” ( c. x. 10 .) Now let us see the Spirit also performing the same thing. Where can we see it? “But the manifestation of the Spirit,” it saith, “is given to every man to profit withal” ( 1 Cor. xii. 7; c. vi. 63 ); He then that giveth these things, much more remitteth sins. And again, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth”; and, “Shall quicken you 2243 2243 “your mortal bodies,” N.T. by His Spirit which dwelleth in you” ( Rom. viii. 11 ); and, “The Spirit is Life because of righteousness” ( Rom. viii. 10 ); a”
  12. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER III. 29-36. (part 7): May it be the Son has heard the Word of the Father? Nay, the Son is the Word of the Father. You see how all human effort is here wearied out; you see how all guessing of our heart, all straining of our darkened mind, here fails. I hear the Scripture saying that the Son speaks that which He heareth from the Father; and again, I hear the Scripture saying that the Son is Himself the Word of the Father: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The words that we speak are fleeting and ”
  13. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVII. 1. (part 2): but show them openly of the Father. For these same words of His, when revealed by the Holy Spirit, were no more to be proverbs to those who had understanding. For when the Holy Spirit was speaking in their hearts, there was not to be silence on the part of the only-begotten Son, who had said that in that hour He would show them plainly of the Father, which, of course, would no longer be a proverb to them when now endowed with understanding. But even this also, how it is that both the Son of God and the Holy Spirit speak at ”
Ask Your Own Question
About Terms Privacy Contact

© 2026 BEREAN.AI. All rights reserved.