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Easter

The Seventh Sunday of Easter (Exaudi)

Exaudi · May 17, 2026

Nero's Torches, Henryk Siemiradzki
Nero's Torches, Henryk Siemiradzki, 1876National Museum, Kraków
A huge Polish canvas of Christians tied to stakes to light Nero's garden party, with the court lounging comfortably in the foreground.They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think they are offering worship to God.Henryk SiemiradzkiA Polish painter working in Rome, who specialised in enormous scenes of the ancient world and gave his best works to Polish museums.National Museum, KrakówPoland's first national museum, founded in 1879 by the city of Kraków when there was no Polish state to found one.National Museum, Kraków
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 15:26-16:4Jn 15:26-16:4
Epistle1 Pet. 4:7-11 (12-14)1 Pt 4:7-11 (12-14)
Old TestamentEzek. 36:22-28Ez 36:22-28
PsalterPs. 51:1-12Ps 51:1-12

Overview & Insights

“When the Helper comes... the Spirit of truth... he will bear witness about me.” (John 15:26)

Just as it is possible to imagine a stage of the tradition when the only farewell discourse was 13:31–35, so it is possible to imagine a stage when the discourse extended to 14:31 but no further. There is a smooth transition from that verse’s summons to “leave” to the statement in 18:1 that Jesus “left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley.” At the end of chapter 14, the reader expects the group to leave and the discourse to end. Instead, the discourse continues, as Jesus seems to make a new beginning.

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Take it further: John 15:26-16:4

Commentary

John 15 - Enduring Word Bible CommentaryJn 15 - Enduring Word Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical exposition of the Spirit of truth whom Jesus sends to testify (15:26-27).

John 16 Commentary | Precept AustinJn 16 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin

Precept Austin gathers detailed word-level notes and cross-references for the warning of coming persecution in 16:1-4.

John 15:26 Commentaries - Bible HubJn 15:26 Commentaries - Bible Hub BibleHub

A classic aggregator stacking Barnes, Ellicott, and other historic commentators on the sending of the Advocate.

John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 CommentaryJn 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary from the Center for Excellence in Preaching on the Spirit as witness and the disciples as mini-advocates.

Pentecost Sunday, Cycle B | Loyola Press Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

A Catholic Sunday Connection reflection on this Johannine Paraclete text with family and classroom application.

Background & Word Study

John - Enter the BibleJn - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary's introductory background on the Fourth Gospel's structure, purpose, and Farewell Discourse setting.

Gospel of John Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 2)Gospel of Jn Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 2) BibleProject

BibleProject's animated overview of John 13-21, the Farewell Discourse where this reading sits.

John 15:26 Interlinear - Bible HubJn 15:26 Interlinear - Bible Hub BibleHub

Greek interlinear with parsing for parakletos and the Spirit of truth, word by word.

Preaching on the Trinity and John 16 | PsephizoPreaching on the Trinity and Jn 16 | Psephizo Psephizo · Ian Paul

Ian Paul's Anglican study of the Paraclete and the Spirit of truth across John 15:26 and 16.

The Church Fathers

John 15 - Catena Bible & CommentariesJn 15 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment from Augustine, Cyril, and others on the Spirit's testimony and the world's hatred.

Podcast

Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): The Seventh Sunday of Easter – Pr. Peter Bender, 5/27/25 (1472, Encore) Issues, Etc.

Issues, Etc. talks a pastor through the historic one-year propers for this Sunday, including John 15:26-16:4.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary - Vanderbilt Divinity Library Vanderbilt

Curated fine-art images indexed to the lectionary readings for visual meditation and projection.

Questions preachers ask

Why does Jesus warn of the world's hatred?

Jesus tells his disciples that the world will hate and persecute them as it hated him, but he sends the Spirit of truth to bear witness, and them to witness also, so their faith will not be shaken.

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