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Commentators have been perplexed by the apparent contradiction between the reproach of v.5, None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ and that very question on the lips of Peter in 13:36 (cf. 14:5). Perhaps the issue cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone (see the commentaries), but the immediate sense of the passage is plain. The disciples were so preoccupied with their grief that they had not grasped the joyful news that Jesus was going to the Father and not just vanishing into oblivion (vv.5-7; cf. 16:10, 17, 28). Indeed, his going was to their advantage, for only so could he send the Counselor to them. This person, already mentioned three times in the Farewell Discourses (cf. 14:16-17, 25-26; 15:26-27), was to have a twofold work.
First of all, the Counselor would have a function vis-à-vis the world, that of convincing it of the truth concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (vv.8-11). Unbelief is the sin that gives rise to all others, and it is this sin that he would lay to the world’s account. In this case “convince” is rightly translated convict and speaks of guilt. But it cannot be said that the world was guilty of righteousness. Although it had made Jesus out to be a sinner, it was wrong and therefore not righteous. On the contrary, Jesus was the Righteous One, as was evident in the fact that he was returning to the Father from whom he came. As to judgment, the Counselor would show that this world’s prince had been put decidedly in the wrong (cf. 12:31). On all three counts the world’s cause was lost.
Second, as regards the disciples, the Counselor would be a teacher (vv.12-15). During his earthly ministry Jesus was limited, not least by restricted capacity in those he tried to teach. But as Spirit of truth the Counselor would continue Jesus' work. He would communicate divine truth (cf. 14:26), but not independently. He would glorify Jesus and bring home Jesus' complete unity with the Father; for, revealing Jesus' things is tantamount to revealing the Father’s things.