John16

Jesus warns His disciples of impending persecution, explaining that His departure is necessary for the Comforter to come and guide them. He assures them that their present sorrow will turn into lasting joy upon His return, and encourages them to ask the Father in His name. Finally, Jesus declares that despite worldly tribulation, they can find peace in Him, for He has overcome the world.

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Warning Against Persecution

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.

And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

But 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.

The Advantage of Jesus' Departure

But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

But because I have spoken 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 go, I will send him unto you.

And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

of sin, because they believe not on me;

of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;

of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been 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 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.

He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you.

All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.

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?

They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he saith.

Jesus 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?

Verily, 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.

A 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.

And 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.

And 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.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.

Prayer in Jesus' Name and Final Peace

These 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.

In 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 forth from the Father.

I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go unto the Father.

His disciples say, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no dark saying.

Now 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.

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

Behold, 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.

These 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.

Study Notes for John 16

Verse 1

Jesus warns the disciples about impending persecution so that they will not be surprised or stumble (be offended) when these events occur, thereby bolstering their faith.

Verse 2

Excommunication from the synagogues was a severe social and religious punishment. The chilling prediction that killers would believe they were offering God service (latreia) highlights the intense religious fanaticism Jesus’ followers would face.

Verse 3

The root cause of the world’s hostility toward believers is theological ignorance—they have not truly known the Father or the Son.

Verse 4

Jesus emphasizes that He prophesied these events so that the disciples would recognize divine foresight and purpose when the trials began, strengthening their trust in Him.

Verse 5

Despite Jesus plainly stating His return to the Father, the disciples are preoccupied with their immediate loss and sorrow (v. 6), failing to ask about the theological purpose of His destination.

Verse 7

This verse explains the necessity of the Ascension. Jesus’ physical departure is ‘expedient’ (beneficial) because it is the prerequisite for sending the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (Paraclete).

Verse 8

The Spirit’s primary work in relation to the world is to ‘reprove’ (convict, expose, or demonstrate the truth concerning) three critical areas: sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Verse 9

The fundamental sin the Spirit convicts the world of is unbelief in Jesus Christ. All other sins flow from this rejection of the divine revelation.

Verse 10

The Spirit convicts the world of Jesus’ righteousness, proven definitively by His return (Ascension) to the Father, showing His work was complete and vindicated.

Verse 11

The Spirit confirms that judgment has already occurred, as the crucifixion and resurrection resulted in the decisive defeat of Satan, the 'prince of this world.'

Verse 12

Jesus often limited His teaching based on the disciples’ current capacity to understand, reserving deeper truths until they were empowered by the Spirit.

Verse 13

The Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit) does not originate new doctrine but guides believers into the full understanding of the truth already revealed by Christ, revealing its implications and application.

Verse 14

This verse underscores the Christocentric nature of the Spirit’s ministry; He does not draw attention to Himself but focuses entirely on glorifying and testifying to Jesus.

Verse 16

The phrase 'a little while' refers first to the imminent period of the crucifixion (not seeing Him), followed by the resurrection appearances (seeing Him again) before His final return to the Father.

Verse 20

Jesus contrasts the temporary, shallow joy of the world (at His death) with the profound and lasting joy of the disciples (at His resurrection and subsequent presence through the Spirit).

Verse 21

The analogy of childbirth powerfully illustrates how intense, temporary suffering serves as a necessary precursor to a life-changing, permanent joy.

Verse 22

The joy promised to the disciples is based on their seeing Jesus again (the resurrection) and is a joy so complete that no earthly circumstance can remove it.

Verse 23

In the new era following the resurrection and Pentecost, the disciples will have direct, confident access to the Father through prayer 'in my name,' signifying identification with Christ’s authority and mission.

Verse 24

This serves as a command and a promise: the new dispensation requires prayer 'in my name' (meaning according to His nature and authority) for the fulfillment of joy.

Verse 25

Jesus acknowledges that He has been speaking in ‘proverbs’ (parables or figurative speech). He promises a time of plain, direct revelation concerning the Father after His departure.

Verse 26

Jesus assures them that their relationship with the Father will be so direct that He will not need to intercede constantly for them; they will have immediate access and assurance.

Verse 27

The basis for answered prayer is not merely Jesus’ mediation but the Father’s own intrinsic love for the disciples, rooted in their belief in Jesus’ divine origin.

Verse 28

This verse is a concise summary of the Incarnation (coming forth from the Father), the Atonement (coming into the world), and the Ascension (going to the Father).

Verse 31

Jesus challenges their sudden claim of certainty (v. 30), knowing their resolve is about to be tested severely by persecution.

Verse 32

Jesus prophesies the immediate fulfillment of Zechariah 13:7—the scattering of the shepherds and the sheep—but affirms His constant, unwavering unity with the Father.

Verse 33

This verse concludes the Farewell Discourse, offering the ultimate theological purpose: though tribulation is guaranteed in the world, believers find peace in Christ because He has already achieved victory over all opposing forces.

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John16

Warning Against Persecution

The Advantage of Jesus' Departure

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

Prayer in Jesus' Name and Final Peace

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