John 16:32

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold {G2400}, the hour {G5610} cometh {G2064}, yea {G2532}, is {G2064} now {G3568} come {G2064}, that {G2443} ye shall be scattered {G4650}, every man {G1538} to {G1519} his own {G2398}, and {G2532} shall leave {G863} me {G1691} alone {G3441}: and yet {G2532} I am {G1510} not {G3756} alone {G3441}, because {G3754} the Father {G3962} is {G2076} with {G3326} me {G1700}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But a time is coming — indeed it has come already — when you will be scattered, each one looking out for himself; and you will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone; because the Father is with me.

Berean Standard Bible

“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 16:32, Jesus, during His final discourse, prophesies the imminent scattering of His disciples, who will abandon Him in His hour of greatest need, each returning to their own affairs. Despite this profound human desertion, Jesus declares a profound spiritual truth: He will not be truly alone, for the Father's constant, sustaining presence will be with Him, revealing His divine foreknowledge and unwavering communion with God even in the face of ultimate suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within Jesus' extended farewell discourse, spanning [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). Having prepared His disciples for His departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the tribulation they would face, Jesus now delivers a stark prophecy that directly addresses their immediate future. Just prior, He spoke of their sorrow turning into joy ([John 16:20-22](/john/16-20-22 "John 16:20-22 - Sorrow Turned to Joy")), and in [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World"), He offers a concluding word of peace and triumph over the world. Verse 32 serves as a sobering interlude, grounding their future peace in the stark reality of His impending suffering and their human frailty, yet simultaneously highlighting His divine reliance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' words are spoken in the Upper Room, likely on the night of Passover, just hours before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The cultural expectation for disciples was unwavering loyalty to their master, especially in times of crisis. However, the imminent events—Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion—would be so shocking and terrifying that the disciples, despite their previous boasts of faithfulness, would succumb to fear. This scattering would fulfill ancient prophecies, such as [Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - Smite the Shepherd"), which speaks of the shepherd being struck and the sheep scattered, a common imagery for a leader's downfall leading to the dispersal of his followers.
* **Key Themes:** [John 16:32](/john/16-32 "John 16:32 - Jesus Predicts Disciples' Abandonment and His Father's Presence") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. It underscores Jesus' **Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty**, demonstrating His complete awareness of future events, even the betrayal and abandonment by His closest companions. It highlights the **Human Frailty and Failure** of the disciples, revealing the chasm between their intentions and their actions under pressure, a theme echoed in Peter's denial ([John 18:25-27](/john/18-25-27 "John 18:25-27 - Peter's Denial")). Most profoundly, it emphasizes Jesus' **Unwavering Communion with the Father**, a central tenet of John's theology, asserting that even in His deepest physical isolation, His spiritual connection to God remained unbroken, as seen throughout His ministry, such as in His declaration that [He and the Father are one](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father Are One").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scattered (Greek, _skorpízō'_):** From G4650, meaning to dissipate, put to flight, or disperse abroad. In this context, it vividly portrays the disciples' disarray and flight, like a flock without a shepherd, emphasizing their sudden and complete disorganization in the face of danger, fulfilling prophetic imagery.
* **alone (Greek, _mónos'_):** From G3441, meaning remaining, sole, or single; by implication, mere. Used twice in the verse, it underscores the profound physical and relational isolation Jesus would experience. The repetition highlights the paradox: physically "alone" yet spiritually "not alone."
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** From G3962, a primary word meaning a "father" literally or figuratively. Here, it refers to God the Father, emphasizing Jesus' unique and intimate filial relationship with the first person of the Trinity, which provides Him with an unbreakable, sustaining presence even when human support fails.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come,"**: Jesus uses a solemn, prophetic declaration ("Behold") to draw attention to the immediate imminence of His suffering. The phrase "the hour" consistently refers in John's Gospel to the climactic moment of Jesus' glorification through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The double affirmation ("cometh, yea, is now come") stresses the certainty and proximity of this pivotal event.
* **"that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own,"**: This clause reveals the direct consequence of "the hour" for the disciples. The passive voice "ye shall be scattered" indicates that their dispersion is not their active choice but a reaction to the overwhelming circumstances. "Every man to his own" (Greek: _eis ta idia_) signifies a return to their individual homes, private affairs, or spheres of comfort and perceived safety, abandoning their collective mission and their Master.
* **"and shall leave me alone:"**: This is the painful culmination of the disciples' scattering. Their flight results in Jesus' physical abandonment. The word "alone" emphasizes His complete isolation from human companionship and support at the most critical juncture of His earthly ministry. This highlights the depth of their fear and the reality of His human experience of suffering.
* **"and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."**: This is the profound paradox and theological heart of the verse. Despite being physically deserted by all His human companions, Jesus asserts His ultimate non-solitude. The reason for this is explicitly stated: "because the Father is with me." This reveals Jesus' perfect, unbroken communion with God the Father, a relationship that transcends all earthly circumstances and provides divine companionship and strength in His deepest hour of need.

#### Literary Devices
[John 16:32](/john/16-32 "John 16:32 - Jesus Predicts Disciples' Abandonment and His Father's Presence") employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, as Jesus calmly and precisely foretells the future abandonment by His disciples, demonstrating His divine foreknowledge and sovereignty. There is a striking **Paradox** in the statement "shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone." This juxtaposition of physical isolation with spiritual companionship powerfully conveys the unique nature of Jesus' relationship with the Father. The phrase "every man to his own" uses **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "his own" stands for one's home, family, or personal interests, signifying a retreat from the communal commitment to Christ. The entire verse also serves as **Foreshadowing** for the events of Gethsemane and the crucifixion, where the disciples indeed scatter, leaving Jesus to face His ordeal seemingly alone.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 16:32](/john/16-32 "John 16:32 - Jesus Predicts Disciples' Abandonment and His Father's Presence") stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine companionship amidst human failure. It reveals Jesus' perfect reliance on the Father, even as He experiences the depths of human abandonment. This unwavering communion is not merely a personal comfort for Jesus but is foundational to His redemptive work, demonstrating that His mission was always in perfect alignment with the Father's will and sustained by the Father's presence. It underscores that true solitude is not determined by the absence of human company, but by the absence of God, a state Jesus, in His divine nature, never experienced. This truth offers immense comfort to believers, assuring them that God's presence is a constant anchor in life's storms, even when human support falters.

* [Psalm 27:10](/psalms/27-10 "Though My Father and Mother Forsake Me")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "God Will Never Leave or Forsake You")
* [Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Jesus' Promise to Be With Us Always")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 16:32](/john/16-32 "John 16:32 - Jesus Predicts Disciples' Abandonment and His Father's Presence") provides a powerful lens through which to examine our own faith and reliance. It challenges us to consider where our ultimate security lies. Like the disciples, we are prone to fear and self-preservation, often abandoning our commitments or retreating to our "own" when pressure mounts. Yet, Jesus' example reminds us that true strength and peace come not from human assurances or the absence of trials, but from an unwavering, intimate relationship with God the Father. In moments of perceived isolation, betrayal, or profound difficulty, we are called to remember that if we are in Christ, we are never truly alone. Our spiritual companionship with God is the bedrock that sustains us through every storm, enabling us to face adversity with a quiet confidence, knowing His presence is our constant reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most tempted to retreat "to your own" when faced with difficulty or fear?**
* **How does Jesus' reliance on the Father in His moment of greatest need challenge your own understanding of dependence on God?**
* **When have you felt most alone, and how might remembering "I am not alone, because the Father is with me" change your perspective in such times?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper awareness of God's constant presence in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "every man to his own" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "every man to his own" (Greek: _eis ta idia_) signifies that the disciples would scatter and return to their individual homes, private affairs, or places of perceived safety and comfort. It implies a retreat from their collective mission and their commitment to Jesus in the face of His arrest and crucifixion. They would abandon Him to look after their own interests and well-being, highlighting their human fear and frailty under extreme pressure. This is a stark contrast to their earlier declarations of loyalty and willingness to die with Him, as seen in [John 13:37](/john/13-37 "John 13:37 - Peter's Boast of Loyalty").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 16:32](/john/16-32 "John 16:32 - Jesus Predicts Disciples' Abandonment and His Father's Presence") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not only in Jesus' immediate experience but also in His redemptive work for humanity. The scattering of the disciples and Jesus' physical isolation foreshadow the ultimate abandonment He would endure on the cross, when He cried out, "[My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). This cry, however, was not a denial of the Father's presence, but the agonizing experience of bearing the world's sin, which momentarily severed the communion between the Father and the Son. Yet, even in that moment, the Father's redemptive plan was being perfectly executed through the Son's obedience ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Jesus' declaration, "I am not alone, because the Father is with me," points to the unbreakable bond of the Trinity, which enabled Him to endure the cross and accomplish salvation. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus, who was "not alone," makes it possible for believers to never be truly alone. He promises His disciples, "[I am with you always, even unto the end of the world](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise to Be With Us Always")" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise to Be With Us Always")), and sends the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Comforter")), to dwell within them, ensuring their perpetual divine companionship. Thus, Jesus' experience of divine presence in His isolation becomes the ground for our own eternal fellowship with God.

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

Zechariah 13:7

¶ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man [that is] my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

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.

John 8:29

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

John 8:16

And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

Mark 14:27

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

Matthew 26:56

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Isaiah 50:6

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.