John 16:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Complete Jewish Bible:

about sin, in that people don’t put their trust in me;

Berean Standard Bible:

in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;

American Standard Version:

of sin, because they believe not on me;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Of{G4012} sin{G266},{G3303} because{G3754} they believe{G4100} not{G3756} on{G1519} me{G1691};

Cross-References (KJV):

John 15:22

  • If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

John 15:25

  • But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

John 8:23

  • And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 8:24

  • I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

John 12:47

  • And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

John 12:48

  • He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Hebrews 3:12

  • Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

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Commentary for John 16:9

John 16:9 is part of Jesus' discourse with His disciples during the Last Supper, as recorded in the Gospel of John. This verse is situated within the broader context of Jesus' farewell speech, where He prepares His disciples for His departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges they will face. The specific theme of John 16:9 addresses the concept of sin and unbelief.

In this verse, Jesus explains that the world's sin is not recognizing or believing in Him as the Messiah and Son of God. The Greek word for "sin" used here (ἁμαρτία, hamartia) can also be understood as "missing the mark." Thus, Jesus is highlighting that the fundamental sin of the world is the failure to acknowledge Him as the Savior sent by God. This unbelief has broader implications, as it leads to a rejection of God's plan for salvation and redemption, which is centered in Christ.

Historically, this statement would have resonated with the early Christian community, which was largely Jewish and still grappling with the idea that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Jewish messianic expectations. The verse also reflects the tension between the early Christians and the Jewish authorities who did not accept Jesus' messianic claims. John 16:9 underscores the importance of faith in Jesus as essential for overcoming sin and highlights the role of belief in the context of salvation history.

In summary, John 16:9 encapsulates the theme of unbelief as the world's sin, emphasizing the centrality of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. It reflects the historical context of early Christian thought as it developed within a Jewish framework and addresses the spiritual blindness that prevents people from recognizing Jesus as the divine emissary for their redemption.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G4012
    There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: περί
    Transliteration: perí
    Pronunciation: per-ee'
    Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
  2. Strong's Number: G266
    There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἁμαρτία
    Transliteration: hamartía
    Pronunciation: ham-ar-tee'-ah
    Description: from ἁμαρτάνω; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).
  3. Strong's Number: G3303
    There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέν
    Transliteration: mén
    Pronunciation: men
    Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
  4. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
  5. Strong's Number: G4100
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πιστεύω
    Transliteration: pisteúō
    Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o
    Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
  6. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
  7. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
  8. Strong's Number: G1691
    There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐμέ
    Transliteration: emé
    Pronunciation: em-eh'
    Description: a prolonged form of μέ; me:--I, me, my(-self).