Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 14:17

"[even] the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you." — John 14:17 (ASV)

But ye know him;

Christ's own disciples know him.

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:

This poor world will not receive anything which it cannot see. It is ruled by its senses; it is carnal and fleshly, and does not set its mind on the things that are unseen. It cannot discern them.

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him; but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.

The world knows nothing about the Holy Spirit; it can hear the gospel, it can hear the outward word, but the living, mystic, inward Spirit the world knows nothing of.

Even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him (John 14:17).

"You are on familiar terms with him, you are intimate with him, you know him."

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Do you not notice how this verse contradicts the current thought of the age about "the spirit of the age" being so much in advance of the Spirit of all past ages? Listen again to these words of our Lord: The Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive. The world is always receiving one form of falsehood or another; tossed to and fro, and never remaining long settled, it cries, "This is the truth," or "That is the truth," or "Now we have it; this is the truth."

But Christ says, The Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.