John 16:1

KJV

¶ These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

KJV (with Strong's)

These things {G5023} have I spoken {G2980} unto you {G5213}, that {G3363} ye should {G4624} not {G3363} be offended {G4624}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“I have told you these things so that you won’t be caught by surprise.

Berean Standard Bible

“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 16:1 serves as a pivotal statement within Jesus' Farewell Discourse, delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room just prior to His crucifixion. In this verse, Jesus explicitly states His purpose for the preceding difficult teachings: to preemptively fortify His followers against spiritual stumbling and disillusionment in the face of the severe persecution and opposition they would inevitably encounter from the world. It underscores Jesus' compassionate foreknowledge and His desire to preserve their faith amidst future trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 16:1 marks a transition point within Jesus' extended Farewell Discourse, which spans [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). The phrase "These things have I spoken unto you" directly references the weighty truths Jesus has just shared in [John 15](/john/15 "John 15 - The True Vine and Abiding in Christ"), particularly concerning the world's hatred for them because of their association with Him (e.g., [John 15:18-25](/john/15-18-25 "The World's Hatred for Believers")). Before this, Jesus spoke of His impending departure ([John 13:33](/john/13-33 "Jesus' Departure Foretold")), the coming of the Holy Spirit as the Helper ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), and the necessity of abiding in Him as the true vine ([John 15:1-11](/john/15-1-11 "Jesus, the True Vine")). This verse, therefore, acts as a summary and a compassionate explanation for why such unsettling information was necessary, setting the stage for further revelations about the Spirit's work and the world's judgment in the remainder of [John 16](/john/16 "John 16 - The Work of the Holy Spirit and Persecution").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' disciples, being Jewish, lived in a society heavily influenced by religious and political structures that were largely hostile to Jesus' claims of Messiahship. While they had witnessed Jesus' miracles and heard His teachings, they still held expectations of a conquering Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom, overthrowing Roman rule. The idea of their Messiah suffering, dying, and then leaving them to face intense persecution was profoundly counter-cultural and deeply unsettling. Furthermore, the concept of being "offended" or "scandalized" by events was a common human experience, particularly when expectations were shattered or when one faced social ostracism or physical harm for their beliefs. Jesus' warning prepared them not just for general hardship, but specifically for the severe opposition from the Jewish religious authorities and, later, the Roman Empire, which would manifest as excommunication from synagogues ([John 16:2](/john/16-2 "Excommunication from the Synagogue")) and even martyrdom.

* **Key Themes:** John 16:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and the Farewell Discourse. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Foreknowledge and Providence**, demonstrating Jesus' complete awareness of future events and His sovereign control over them, even the suffering of His followers. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **Preparation for Persecution**, serving as a crucial warning that suffering is an inevitable part of discipleship, not a sign of God's abandonment. This understanding is vital for the disciples' endurance. Thirdly, the verse underscores **Preservation of Faith**, as Jesus' ultimate goal in forewarning them is to prevent them from "stumbling" or abandoning their faith when trials come. This speaks to the fragility of human faith and the divine provision to strengthen it. Lastly, it subtly reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Compassion and Pastoral Care**, as He lovingly prepares His disciples for what lies ahead, not to discourage them, but to equip them to stand firm.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spoken (Greek, _laléō'_):** This word, often translated as "to talk" or "to utter words," emphasizes the act of vocalizing or articulating. In this context, it signifies Jesus' deliberate and intentional communication of truths to His disciples. It's not merely a casual remark but a purposeful declaration, highlighting the gravity and importance of the information He has conveyed in the preceding chapters.
* **that ye should not (Greek, _hína mḗ'_):** This phrase expresses a negative purpose or result, meaning "in order that not" or "lest." It clearly articulates Jesus' explicit intention behind His warnings: to prevent a specific negative outcome. This emphasizes the preventative and protective nature of His discourse, aiming to safeguard His disciples from spiritual harm.
* **be offended (Greek, _skandalízō'_):** Derived from _skandalon_, meaning a "stumbling block" or "trap," this verb literally means "to cause to stumble" or "to entrap." Figuratively, in a spiritual sense, it means to cause someone to fall away from faith, to be disillusioned, to sin, or to abandon their commitment. Jesus' use of this term reveals His concern that the impending persecution might lead His disciples to lose faith, become disheartened, or even turn away from Him. His words are a proactive measure to remove such a "stumbling block."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These things have I spoken unto you,"**: This clause refers back to the extensive teachings Jesus has just delivered, particularly in [John 13](/john/13 "Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet")-[John 15](/john/15 "The True Vine and Abiding in Christ"). It encompasses His warnings about the world's hatred, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of abiding in Him. The perfect tense "have I spoken" indicates that His discourse is complete in its current phase and its effects are ongoing. The phrase "unto you" emphasizes the personal and direct nature of these warnings to His immediate followers.
* **"that ye should not be offended."**: This clause states the explicit purpose of Jesus' preceding discourse. The Greek word for "offended" (_skandalízō_) implies being tripped up, caused to stumble, or falling away from faith due to disillusionment or persecution. Jesus' intention is to fortify His disciples against the shock and despair that might otherwise lead them to abandon their faith when confronted with severe opposition, excommunication, or even death for His name's sake. His forewarning serves as a spiritual inoculation, preparing them to stand firm.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus' words directly anticipate the future persecution and challenges the disciples will face. This serves not to discourage but to prepare. The phrase "These things" acts as a **referential anaphora**, pointing back to the preceding discourse and unifying its various themes under a single purpose. The use of "offended" (_skandalízō_) is a powerful **metaphor**, drawing on the literal image of a "stumbling block" to convey the spiritual danger of losing faith or becoming disillusioned. This metaphor effectively communicates the severe impact that unforeseen trials could have on their spiritual journey. Finally, the verse demonstrates Jesus' **pastoral tone** and **didactic purpose**, revealing His role as a compassionate teacher who equips His followers for the realities of discipleship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 16:1 profoundly reveals Jesus' divine foreknowledge and His compassionate care for His disciples. He knows the trials they will face and, rather than shielding them from the truth, He lovingly prepares them. This act of forewarning is not to instill fear, but to build resilience and anchor their faith in Him, ensuring they are not caught off guard by the world's hostility. It underscores the biblical principle that suffering is often an expected part of the Christian life, and understanding this can prevent spiritual shipwreck. By speaking these difficult truths, Jesus provides a framework through which His followers can interpret their future experiences, recognizing that persecution is not a sign of God's absence or disfavor, but a confirmation of their genuine discipleship.

* [Matthew 13:21](/matthew/13-21 "The Parable of the Sower: Stumbling in Tribulation")
* [1 Peter 4:12-13](/1_peter/4-12-13 "Suffering for Christ's Sake")
* [Romans 8:35-39](/romans/8-35-39 "God's Unfailing Love in Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 16:1 offers timeless wisdom for believers today, reminding us that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, continues to prepare us for the realities of following Him in a world that often opposes His truth. Just as He forewarned His first disciples of impending persecution, His Word still equips us to navigate trials without being "offended." This means embracing the understanding that difficulties, opposition, and even suffering are not anomalies in the Christian life, but rather expected elements of walking with Christ. When we are forewarned, we are forearmed; we can anticipate challenges not with dread, but with a Spirit-empowered resolve, knowing that our Lord has already accounted for them. This verse encourages us to ground our faith deeply in Christ's words, allowing His truth to be the unshakable foundation that prevents us from stumbling when external pressures mount. It calls us to cultivate a robust faith that is not easily shaken by unexpected hardships, but rather strengthened by the knowledge that Jesus has prepared us for every step of the journey.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "things" has Jesus spoken in His Word that prepare you for potential difficulties or opposition in your life of faith?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be susceptible to being "offended" or stumbling when faced with unexpected trials or disappointments?**
* **How does Jesus' compassionate act of forewarning His disciples in John 16:1 encourage you to trust His providence in your own life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith now, so that you are better prepared for future challenges and less likely to be "offended"?**

### FAQ
**What does "offended" mean in the context of John 16:1?**

Answer: In John 16:1, "offended" translates the Greek word _skandalízō_ (G4624), which literally means "to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, over which one may fall." Spiritually, it signifies being caused to stumble, to lose faith, to become disillusioned, or to turn away from the truth. Jesus' concern was that the impending persecution and the world's hatred would cause His disciples to lose their resolve, abandon their commitment to Him, or fall into despair, thus "stumbling" in their faith journey. His forewarning was intended to prevent this spiritual shipwreck.

**Why did Jesus wait until this point in His discourse to warn them about being "offended"?**

Answer: Jesus' warnings about persecution and being "offended" were strategically placed within His Farewell Discourse. He had already laid foundational truths about His identity, His relationship with the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of abiding in Him. Only after establishing these critical theological and relational anchors could He introduce the difficult realities of the world's opposition. To have spoken of these things earlier might have caused immediate discouragement without the necessary framework of divine love, power, and future provision. By this point, the disciples had a deeper, though still incomplete, understanding of who Jesus was and what His mission entailed, making them better prepared to receive such sobering truths.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 16:1, with Jesus' deliberate forewarning to His disciples, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in the disciples' ability to endure persecution, but in Jesus Himself as the one who perfectly endured all offense and triumphed over the very forces that sought to make His followers stumble. Jesus' words here underscore His role as the **prophetic Messiah** who knows all things, including the future suffering of His people. He is the one who, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was Himself "offended" and rejected by the world, yet He did not stumble or turn away from His divine mission ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). His suffering and death, though a "stumbling block" to the Jews and "foolishness" to the Gentiles ([1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "Christ Crucified: A Stumbling Block and Foolishness")), became the very means of salvation. By preparing His disciples, Jesus demonstrates His ongoing high-priestly care, interceding for them that their faith might not fail ([Luke 22:32](/luke/22-32 "Jesus Prays for Peter")). Ultimately, the preservation of believers from being "offended" is secured by Christ's victory over sin and death, and by the Holy Spirit whom He sends to empower them to stand firm, just as He promised in [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Helper") and [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides"). His warnings are a testament to His perfect love, ensuring that His followers, united with Him, will share in His triumph, not in His stumbling.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Matthew 13:21

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Matthew 26:31

¶ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Matthew 26:33

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended.

John 16:4

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.

John 15:18

¶ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

John 15:27

And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.