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.

Warning Against Persecution

1
“These things have I spoken to you, so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble. ​
2
They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. ​
3
They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. ​
4
But 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. ​

The Advantage of Jesus' Departure

5
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ​
6
But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.
7
Nevertheless 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. ​
8
When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; ​
9
about sin, because they don’t believe in me; ​
10
about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more; ​
11
about 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. ​
13
However 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. ​
14
He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you. ​
15
All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

16
A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.” ​
17
Some 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’?”
18
They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”
19
Therefore Yeshua 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?’
20
Most 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. ​
21
A 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. ​
22
Therefore 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. ​
24
Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. ​

Prayer in Jesus' Name and Final Peace

25
I 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. ​
26
In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you, ​
27
for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. ​
28
I came from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” ​
29
His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you speak plainly, and speak no figures of speech.
30
Now 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.”
31
Yeshua answered them, “Do you now believe? ​
32
Behold, 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. ​
33
I 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.” ​

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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