John — Chapter 16
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1“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away.
2They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.
4But I have told you these things so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
5Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
6Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.
7But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me;
11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.
15Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.
16In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.”
17Then some of His disciples asked one another, “Why is He telling us, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”
18They kept asking, “Why is He saying, ‘a little while’? We do not understand what He is saying.”
19Aware that they wanted to question Him, Jesus said to them, “Are you asking one another why I said, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’?
20Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.
22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
23In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
25I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
26In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.
28I came from the Father and entered the world. In turn, I will leave the world and go to the Father.”
29His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech.
30Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.”
31“Do you finally believe?” Jesus replied.
32“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
3And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4But these things have I spoken unto you, that when their hour is come, ye may remember them, how that I told you. And these things I said not unto you from the beginning, because I was with you.
5But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
8And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9of sin, because they believe not on me;
10of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;
11of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged.
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, [these] shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
14He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare [it] unto you.
15All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare [it] unto you.
16A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.
17[Some] of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he saith.
19Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me?
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.
22And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.
23And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.
24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.
25These things have I spoken unto you in dark sayings: the hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in dark sayings, but shall tell you plainly of the Father.
26In that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you;
27for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
28I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go unto the Father.
29His disciples say, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no dark saying.
30Now know we that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and [yet] I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1“I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away.
2They will put you out of the synagogue, yet a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God.
3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or me.
4But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them. “I did not tell you these things from the beginning because I was with you.
5But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking me, ‘Where are you going?’
6Instead your hearts are filled with sadness because I have said these things to you.
7But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.
8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment—
9concerning sin because they do not believe in me;
10concerning righteousness because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer;
11and concerning judgment because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears and will tell you what is to come.
14He will glorify me because he will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you.
15Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you.
16In a little while you will see me no longer; again after a little while, you will see me.”
17Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is the meaning of what he is saying, ‘In a little while you will not see me; again after a little while, you will see me,’ and ‘because I am going to the Father’?”
18So they kept on repeating, “What is the meaning of what he says, ‘In a little while’? We do not understand what he is talking about.”
19Jesus could see that they wanted to ask him about these things, so he said to them, “Are you asking each other about this—that I said, ‘In a little while you will not see me; again after a little while, you will see me’?
20I tell you the solemn truth, you will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy.
21When a woman gives birth, she has distress because her time has come, but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the suffering because of her joy that a human being has been born into the world.
22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23At that time you will ask me nothing. I tell you the solemn truth, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete.
25“I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; a time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
26At that time you will ask in my name, and I do not say that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27For the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28I came from the Father and entered into the world, but in turn, I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29His disciples said, “Look, now you are speaking plainly and not in obscure figures of speech!
30Now we know that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you anything. Because of this we believe that you have come from God.”
31Jesus replied, “Do you now believe?
32Look, a time is coming—and has come—when you will be scattered, each one to his own home, and I will be left alone. Yet I am not alone because my Father is with me.
33I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.”
1“I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble.
2They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.
3They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4But I have told you these things, so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;
9about sin, because they don’t believe in me;
10about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;
11about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
12“I have yet many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.
13However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.
14He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you.
15All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.
16A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”
17Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?”
18They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”
19Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?’
20Most certainly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
25I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
26In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you,
27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.
28I came from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”
29His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech.
30Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Summary
Jesus warns the disciples that they will be expelled from synagogues and even killed by those who wrongly think they serve God, since His opponents do not know the Father or Him (vv. 1-3). He explains that His departure actually benefits them, because only then will the Counselor come to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and guide the disciples into all truth (vv. 7-13). Using the image of a woman's labor pain turning to joy at childbirth, He promises that their present sorrow at His going will likewise turn to lasting joy when they see Him again (vv. 20-22). He tells them that in that day they will ask the Father directly in His name, since the Father Himself loves them for loving and believing in Jesus (vv. 23-27). When the disciples affirm their belief that He came from God, Jesus predicts they will soon scatter and leave Him alone, though the Father remains with Him, and closes by promising them peace and urging them to take heart, for He has overcome the world (vv. 31-33).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- The Upper Room / en route to Gethsemane: Jesus continues speaking to His disciples on the night of His arrest — either still in the Upper Room or walking toward the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives.
- "In the world" (v.33): Jesus speaks of the world as the environment where the disciples will face tribulation — the whole created order under sin.
Places on this map
- GethsemaneJerusalemAn olive grove at the foot of the Mount of Olives, just across the Kidron from the temple. The name means oil press. It was outside the walls but minutes from them, which is why an arrest there could be made quietly at night. Wikipedia
- Kidron ValleyJerusalemThe dry ravine between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, dropping steeply below the temple's eastern wall. It ran with the runoff of sacrifice and became the city's dumping ground for idols, and it is the valley David crossed fleeing Absalom and Jesus crossed to Gethsemane. Wikipedia
- Mount of OlivesJerusalemA limestone ridge just east of Jerusalem, separated from the city by the Kidron Valley and about 250 feet higher, so it looks straight down into the temple courts. The road to Jericho and Bethany crosses it, which is why Jesus is so often on it. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines why Jesus' departure is better than His presence, the Spirit's threefold conviction, the meaning of "a little while," and the nature of prayer in Jesus' name.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of John -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Jesus' Departure as Advantage (v.7) — Jesus tells his grieving disciples that his leaving is actually to their benefit, since it opens the way for the Spirit to come and dwell in every believer. What loss in your life might God be using to bring something you can't yet see?
- Conviction Rooted in Unbelief (v.9) — The Spirit's work of conviction centers on the sin of not believing in Jesus, showing that unbelief is the root beneath every other sin. Where is a lack of trust in God quietly driving your choices?
- Guided Into All Truth (v.13) — Jesus promises the Spirit will lead believers into truth rather than leaving them to figure out faith on their own. How intentionally are you inviting the Spirit's guidance as you read Scripture and make decisions?
- Sorrow Transformed, Not Removed (v.20) — Jesus promises the disciples' grief will become joy, comparing it to a woman's labor pain giving way to joy at a child's birth. What painful season in your life has God turned into something fruitful, or where are you still waiting for that to happen?
- Full Joy Through Bold Prayer (v.24) — Jesus links asking in his name directly to receiving joy that is complete, contrasting with the disciples' prayerlessness up to that point. Are you asking boldly in prayer, or settling for less than the access he has given you?
- Peace Amid Guaranteed Trouble (v.33) — Jesus does not promise an easy life but tells his followers to take heart because he has already overcome the world. What trouble are you facing right now, and how does his finished victory change the way you face it?