What Does John 14:16 Mean?
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another one who comes alongside, that he may be with you for the ages.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;THE KEY
The Comforter brings both consolation and an urging presence that remains with you.
THE MEANING
The Father gives you a Comforter whose presence remains with you into the age. This comfort is more than a passing soothing: it steadies you and urges you onward.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the fear that comfort is only temporary, or that presence leaves when you can no longer see it.
THE ROOT
παράκλητον
paraklēton
GROWS FROM
παρακαλέω
parakaleō
To comfort or console; also to urge or appeal.
“one who comes alongside” in this verse is paraklēton. The word family behind “Comforter” holds consolation and urging together. The presence promised here can soothe and steady you while also calling you onward.
ALSO GROWS
paraklēsis: Consolation or appeal.
παράκλησις
Its paired meanings show that comfort can carry a strengthening appeal, not only relief.
parakaleō: To comfort, console, or urge.
παρακαλέω
This related verb reveals the consoling and urging dimensions held together in the promise.
μένῃ
menē
GROWS FROM
μένω
menō
To remain, stay, or continue.
The same word family names both remaining and a dwelling place. “Abide with you” therefore carries the sense of an enduring presence that makes its home with you.
ALSO GROWS
monē: Dwelling or abode.
μονή
This noun from the same word family appears as “mansions” in John 14:2, linking abiding presence with dwelling.
emmenō: To remain or continue.
ἐμμένω
It extends the root’s sense of staying through time, echoing the promise that the Comforter remains.
εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα
eis ton aiōna
GROWS FROM
αἰών
aiōn
An age or span of time.
“for the ages” in this verse is eis ton aiōna. The phrase rendered “for ever” is literally “into the age.” It gives the promise the shape of a presence that continues beyond a passing moment.
ALSO GROWS
aiōnios: Age-related or age-long.
αἰώνιος
This related form carries the same age-language into descriptions of enduring things.
aiōnes: Ages.
αἰῶνες
The plural extends the root’s time-language across successive ages.
THE PATTERN
Divine presence is given as a continuing companionship that stays with you through what lies ahead.
And behold, I am with you, and I will guard you in every place you go, and I will bring you back into this land; for I will not leave you until I have done the word I have spoken to you.Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not look about in dismay, for I am your God. I will grip you, and I will help you, and I will hold you up with the right hand of my alignment.Teaching them to guard all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you all the days, until the completion of the age. Amen.THE THREAD
In my Father's house are many places to remain. If it were not so, I would have told you, for I go to make ready a place for you.The verb μένω (menō, remain) underlies “abide,” while its word-family noun μονή (monē, dwelling) appears as “mansions” here. The promise of presence is also the language of dwelling: what remains with you makes its home with you.
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