The Comforter in John 14:26

The Comforter in John 14:26: A Biblical and Islamic Analysis

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

1. The Identity of the Comforter (Paraklētos) in John 14:26

John 14:26 (KJV) reads:

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

This passage is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse in the Gospel of John. The Greek term Paraklētos (παράκλητος) is translated as “Comforter,” “Advocate,” or “Helper.” The verse explicitly identifies this figure as “the Holy Ghost” (Holy Spirit) who will:

• Be sent by the Father

• Come in Jesus’ name

• Teach all things

• Remind the disciples of what Jesus said

The Holy Spirit, therefore, is a divine person within the Trinitarian framework of Christian theology. The Holy Spirit's role is the continuation of Christ's presence and teaching among the disciples, not a new prophetic mission that contradicts or supersedes the work of Christ.

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2. Was Muhammad Sent in the Name of Jesus?

To assess whether Prophet Muhammad was sent “in Jesus’ name,” one must evaluate both Islamic and biblical evidence.

John 14:26 says the Comforter comes "in my [Jesus'] name." This implies representation, continuation, and alignment with Jesus’ teachings and authority.

However, nowhere in the Quran does Allah state that:

• Muhammad was sent in the name of Jesus.

• Muhammad would remind people of the sayings of Jesus.

• Muhammad's mission was to represent or continue Jesus' ministry.

Rather, the Quran declares that Muhammad was sent as a warner to all people (Quran 7:158) and emphasizes his distinct prophethood, not one under the authority or name of Jesus.

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3. Is Allah the Father of Jesus?

The Quran emphatically denies the fatherhood of Allah in any sense akin to the biblical understanding:

“It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son.”
(Quran 19:35)

“Say: He is Allah, the One... He begets not, nor was He begotten.”
(Quran 112:1–3)

In contrast, Christian theology, based on scriptures like Matthew 3:17 and John 3:16, affirms God as the Father of Jesus Christ, both ontologically and relationally. Thus, the divine Father who sends the Comforter in John 14:26 cannot be equated with Allah of the Quran, who denies having a son.

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4. Does the Quran Mention a Comforter Sent by Allah?

The Quran does not mention a “Comforter” (Paraklētos) or any similar figure described in the Gospel of John.

Muslim apologists have historically attempted to claim that Muhammad is the “Comforter” (Paraklētos) referred to in John 14–16. This is based on a speculative linguistic argument that Paraklētos was originally Periklutos ("praised one") and thus refers to Ahmad, another name of Muhammad mentioned in Quran 61:6:

“Jesus, the son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah to you, confirming that which was [revealed] before me in the Torah and bringing good news of a messenger who will come after me, whose name will be Ahmad.”

However, no manuscript evidence from the Greek New Testament supports this textual corruption. All known Greek manuscripts read Paraklētos, not Periklutos.

Furthermore, the Comforter in John 14:26 is:

• The Holy Spirit, not a man

• Sent by the Father, not by Jesus himself

• Indwelling believers forever (John 14:16)

These attributes do not fit Muhammad, who was a human prophet who did not indwell believers nor came in Jesus’ name.

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5. Does the Quran Say Muhammad is a Comforter?

No. The Quran never refers to Muhammad using the Greek concept of Paraklētos (Comforter, Advocate, or Helper).

The Quran uses terms like:

• “Nadhir” (Warner) – Quran 33:45

• “Bashir” (Bearer of good news) – Quran 33:45

• “Abd” (Servant) – Quran 18:1

But never does it equate Muhammad with the Holy Spirit or describe his mission in the Johannine terms used for the Comforter.

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Conclusion

There is no biblical or Quranic basis to identify Muhammad as the Comforter of John 14:26. The Comforter is clearly identified as the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father in the name of Jesus, to continue Christ’s ministry by indwelling believers.

Furthermore:

• Allah is not the Father of Jesus in Islam.

• Muhammad was not sent in Jesus’ name.

• The Quran does not mention any figure equivalent to the Paraklētos.

• The Quran does not call Muhammad a “Comforter.”

Scholarly References

• Brown, Raymond E. The Gospel According to John, Anchor Bible Commentary.

• Köstenberger, Andreas. John, Baker Exegetical Commentary.

• Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim.

• Yusuf Ali Translation of the Quran.

• Qadhi, Yasir. Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'an.

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Final Note:
Until the Quran explicitly states that Muhammad is a Comforter sent in Jesus' name, by the Father (who must be the Father of Jesus), and fulfills all Johannine descriptions of the Holy Spirit, conversion to Islam on that basis would be ungrounded.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute