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Easter Season · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year A

John 14:15-21

The Spirit of Truth Abides

May 10, 2026

Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, Duccio di Buoninsegna
Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308–1311Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena (from the Maestà)
Another of the Maestà's narrative panels: the farewell discourse, painted as a conversation in a room rather than as a departure.John 14 to 17 is a long goodbye that keeps saying it is not really a goodbye, and the panel keeps everyone in the same room.Duccio di BuoninsegnaThe founder of Sienese painting, who kept the gold and the Byzantine patterns while letting real feeling into the faces.Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena (from the Maestà)The cathedral's own museum, built into an unfinished nave, where Duccio's Maestà has been kept since it was taken off the altar.Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena (from the Maestà)
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 14:15-21Jn 14:15-21
Epistle1 Pet. 3:13-221 Pt 3:13-22
Old TestamentActs 17:22-31
PsalterPs. 66:8-20Ps 66:8-20

Overview & Insights

“You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17)

The Greek parakletos resists translation, and the history of the attempts is instructive, since advocate, comforter, helper and counsellor each capture part of a word whose root sense is one called alongside, usually in a legal or supporting role. Jesus promises that such a figure will be given for ever, in contrast with his own imminent departure. What follows divides the audience by capacity rather than by verdict: the world cannot receive the Spirit of truth because it neither sees nor knows him, and “the world” in this Gospel is a theological category, an order that has organized itself without God, not the planet. Verse 20 states the outcome as a set of nested relations, the Son in the Father, the disciples in the Son, the Son in them, anticipating the prayer of 17:21. Read weeks before Pentecost, the promise that they will live because he lives is heard first as Easter.

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Commentary

Commentary on John 14:15-21Commentary on Jn 14:15-21 Working Preacher (Luther Seminary)

Lutheran academic commentary on the promise of the Advocate.

John 14:15-21 CommentaryJn 14:15-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on love, obedience, and the Spirit of truth.

The Advocate: SALT's Commentary for Easter 6 SALT Project

Ecumenical commentary on the nested indwelling of Spirit, Jesus, and God.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Catholic family-catechesis take on Jesus' promise of the Advocate.

Unity is Not Partisan, Easter 6 (A) - May 10, 2026 Sermons That Work (The Episcopal Church)

Episcopal preaching voice on this Sunday's readings.

Background & Word Study

Attending Love Left Behind and Loving It (D. Mark Davis)

Greek-text, verse-by-verse exegesis of John 14:15-21.

Gospel of John OverviewGospel of Jn Overview BibleProject

Whole-book video placing the promise of the Advocate in context.

The Church Fathers

John 14 - CatenaJn 14 - Catena Catena Bible

Patristic comments (Chrysostom, Augustine, Cyril) on the chapter.

Sermons & Reflections

A Christic Adventure: Thecla and Paul Journey with Jesus

Reflective essay on all four Easter 6A readings, including John 14:15-21.

Worship & Prayers

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes UMC Discipleship

Worship planning notes and prayer ideas keyed to all four of this Sunday's readings.

Podcast

Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 10, 2026) Working Preacher Sermon Brainwave

Podcast discussion of the week's texts including John 14:15-21.

Art & Music

Sixth Sunday of Easter - Texts Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary

Curated art, music, and worship links for this Sunday's texts.

Study Hub

Easter A6 Text This Week

Master index of study resources for Easter 6A.

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