John 16 (KJV)

John 16:1–4

Warning of persecution

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But 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.

Jesus tells the disciples why he is warning them: so they will not fall away. They will be expelled from synagogues, and some will kill them thinking they are serving God. He says he did not speak of this earlier because he was with them.

What does this mean?

"Be offended" (KJV) means to be made to stumble or lose faith. "Doeth God service" (KJV) means offers worship or service to God.

Historical context

Expulsion from the synagogue appears also at 9:22 and 12:42. Paul's letters describe how he once persecuted followers of Jesus out of zeal for God (Galatians 1:13-14), an example of the kind of opposition described here. Many scholars think these verses reflect conflicts experienced by the community behind John's Gospel.

Why does it matter?

Jesus' foreknowledge is meant to steady the disciples: when trouble comes, they will remember that he warned them. These verses complete the thought begun in 15:18.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

John 16:5–15

The work of the Counselor

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless 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. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit 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. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus tells the grieving disciples it is better for them that he goes away, because otherwise the Counselor will not come. The Spirit will expose the world's errors about sin, righteousness and judgment, will guide the disciples into all truth, and will glorify Jesus by making his teaching known to them.

What does this mean?

"Reprove" (KJV) or "convict" (WEB) means to expose, prove wrong, or bring to light, as a prosecutor does. "Expedient" (KJV) means to your advantage. "The prince of this world" means Satan.

Historical context

The Spirit is again described in legal terms, like an advocate or prosecutor, continuing the courtroom language that runs through John's Gospel.

Why does it matter?

The promise that the Spirit would "guide you into all truth" and remind the disciples of Jesus' words has been important for Christian understanding of how Jesus' teaching was preserved and interpreted. It also explains why the Gospel can say that some things were understood only after the resurrection (2:22, 12:16).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

John 16:16–24

Sorrow turned to joy

A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then 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? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now 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? Verily, 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. A 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. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And 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. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus says that in "a little while" they will not see him, and then in a little while they will see him again. The puzzled disciples discuss what he means. Jesus compares their coming grief to a woman in labour, whose pain gives way to joy at the birth, and promises that no one will take their joy away.

What does this mean?

"A little while" is repeated seven times in these verses, emphasising both the disciples' confusion and the nearness of what is coming. To ask "in my name" means to ask as his followers, on his authority.

Historical context

The image of childbirth pains is used by the Old Testament prophets for times of distress that lead to new life, as in Isaiah 26:17-19 and 66:7-14.

Why does it matter?

The "little while" most naturally points to Jesus' death and his appearances after the resurrection, though some interpreters also see a reference to his final return. The disciples' joy at seeing him is fulfilled in 20:20.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

John 16:25–33

"I have overcome the world"

These 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. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now 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. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, 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. These 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.

Jesus says that he has spoken in figures of speech but will soon speak plainly, and that having come from the Father he is now returning to him. The disciples say that now they understand and believe, but Jesus warns that they will soon scatter and leave him alone. He ends with encouragement: in the world they will have trouble, but he has overcome the world.

What does this mean?

"Proverbs" (KJV) or "figures of speech" (WEB) means veiled sayings. "Tribulation" (KJV) means trouble, distress or persecution. "Be of good cheer" means take courage.

Historical context

The prediction that the disciples will scatter matches the other Gospels' accounts of their flight at Jesus' arrest.

Why does it matter?

The disciples' confidence is premature, a pattern seen with Peter in 13:37. Jesus' closing words speak of victory before the crucifixion has even happened, which fits John's presentation of the cross as Jesus' moment of glory rather than defeat. This ends the teaching part of the Farewell Discourse.

Editorial notes, not scripture.