OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 14:17

14:17a

the Spirit of truth: This phrase means “the Spirit who proclaims or teaches the truth.” It refers to the Holy Spirit. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God (GNT)

In some languages it is more natural to use an adjective to translate truth. For example:

The Spirit will show you what is true. (CEV)

14:17b

The world cannot receive Him: This expression indicates that the unbelievers of the world do not accept the Holy Spirit in their lives. They do not want to submit to him. They do not welcome him because they cannot do so, because of who they are and who he is. Here are possible ways to translate this expression:

The world cannot accept him. (NIV)

The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit as their helper.

The people who do not believe are not able to be in fellowship with the Holy Spirit (Otomi Back Translation)

The world: This phrase refers to the people in the world who do not believe in God and Christ. The Greek text emphasizes this word, probably to contrast it with “You” in 14:17d, which is also emphasized.

receive: The Greek word that the BSB translates as receive here refers to accepting and welcoming a person. It is the same word that is used in 1:12.A slightly different word is used in 1:11b, where the BSB translates it as “receive,” but the meaning is the same.

14:17c

because: The connector because introduces the reasons for the fact that the world cannot receive God’s Spirit of truth (14:17b).

it: This word is a pronoun that refers to the world that does not believe. If you translated the word “world” in 14:17b with a plural noun (such as “unbelievers” or “people in this world”), then the pronoun here must also be plural. For example:

they (CEV)

neither sees Him nor knows Him: The people of the world cannot see the Holy Spirit (Him) and they do not know him personally.

nor knows Him: The verb knows in this context means “have a personal relationship with.” Unbelievers might have heard about the Holy Spirit, but they do not know him personally.

14:17d

you do know Him: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between the world which does not receive or know the Holy Spirit (Him) and the disciples who do. The Greek text indicates this contrast by emphasizing the phrase “the world” in 14:17b and the pronoun you. Because of this contrast, most English translations supply the word “but.” You should indicate the contrast in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

But you know him (GNT)

You do know him

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to the disciples.

do know Him: This phrase in this context means “personally know the Holy Spirit” or “have experienced the Holy Spirit.” See how you translated a similar phrase in 14:17.

for He abides with you: The Greek word that the BSB translates as abides means “stays” or “remains.” At this time the Holy Spirit was with the disciples as an outside force or influence. They could see him working among them through the miracles that Jesus did and the miracles that they themselves did. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

because he lives with you now (NLT)

who is with you (CEV)

and will be in you: Later, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples to live inside each of them. He would be an internal force or influence. There is a textual issue here.

1. Many Greek manuscripts have the future tense verb that means “will be.” For example:

   and will be in you (RSV) (BSB, ESV, KJV, NASB, NIV, RSV, CEV, GW, NET, NLT, REB, NCV)

2. Some Greek manuscripts have the present tense verb that means “is.” For example:

   and is in you (GNT) (GNT, NJB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) because better manuscripts have that reading and most English translations follow it.The UBS Greek text, 4th edition, gives option (1) a C rating, indicating much doubt.