Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 16:12

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." — John 16:12 (ASV)

(2) Jesus tells his disciples directly that his revelation to date is incomplete. They are not sufficiently mature to understand all he wishes to impart. A second function of the Holy Spirit, therefore, will be to “lead” (GK 3842) them into the full comprehension of all he wants them to know. The Spirit will not present an independent message, differing from what they had already learned from him. Rather, they will be led further into the realization of his person and into the development of the principles he has already laid down. They will also be enlightened about coming events. In this promise lies the germinal authority of the apostolic writings, which transmit the revelation of Christ through his disciples by the work of the Holy Spirit.