John 16:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} these things {G5023} have I told {G2980} you {G5213}, that {G2443} when {G3752} the time {G5610} shall come {G2064}, ye may remember {G3421} that {G3754} I {G1473} told {G2036} you {G5213} of them {G846}. And {G1161} these things {G5023} I said {G2036} not {G3756} unto you {G5213} at {G1537} the beginning {G746}, because {G3754} I was {G2252} with {G3326} you {G5216}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I have told you this, so that when the time comes for it to happen, you will remember that I told you. I didn’t tell you this at first, because I was with you.

Berean Standard Bible

But I have told you these things so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus explains to His disciples the purpose behind His recent, stark warnings about impending persecution: that when these trials inevitably arrive, they might remember His words, thereby strengthening their faith and validating His divine foresight. He clarifies that these difficult truths were not revealed at the outset of His ministry because His physical presence had, until then, provided a measure of protection and immediate guidance, making such explicit warnings less urgent. This verse underscores Jesus' profound care for His followers, preparing them not just for what they would face, but also for how they would endure it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 16:4](/john/16-4 "John 16:4 - Jesus Prepares His Disciples for Persecution") is embedded within Jesus' Farewell Discourse, a significant portion of John's Gospel spanning [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Jesus Washes Feet") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). Specifically, it follows immediately after Jesus' direct warnings in [John 16:1-3](/john/16-1-3 "John 16:1-3 - Warnings of Persecution") that His disciples would be "offended," expelled from synagogues, and even killed, with their persecutors believing they were offering service to God. This verse serves as Jesus' explanation for *why* He is delivering these unsettling prophecies now, shifting from the content of the warnings to their pedagogical purpose. It frames the preceding verses as a deliberate act of preparation, ensuring the disciples' spiritual resilience in the face of future adversity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples, being Jewish, were deeply embedded in a culture where synagogue membership was central to religious and social identity. Expulsion from the synagogue, as warned in [John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Excommunication from the Synagogue"), was a severe form of ostracism, akin to social and spiritual death. Furthermore, the concept of religiously motivated killing, while abhorrent, was not entirely foreign, particularly in zealot movements or instances of perceived blasphemy. Jesus' warnings were not abstract; they spoke to real and terrifying possibilities within their socio-religious framework. The disciples had largely been protected by Jesus' presence and popularity, but His impending departure would leave them vulnerable to the full force of opposition from both Jewish and Roman authorities, who would increasingly view the nascent Christian movement as a threat.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. It highlights Jesus' **Divine Foresight and Omniscience**, demonstrating His complete knowledge of future events and His sovereign control over them, as seen in the broader narrative of His journey to the cross. It also emphasizes the theme of **Preparation and Equipping**, where Jesus, like a loving shepherd, meticulously prepares His flock for the trials ahead, rather than leaving them vulnerable or ignorant (cf. [John 14:1-3](/john/14-1-3 "John 14:1-3 - Jesus Comforts His Disciples")). Crucially, the verse introduces the theme of **Memory as a Foundation for Faith**. The purpose of Jesus' warnings is not to instill fear but to ensure that remembering His words will validate His truth and sustain their faith when persecution arises, preventing them from stumbling or abandoning their commitment (cf. [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit Reminds")). Finally, it underscores the **Divine Timing of Revelation**, revealing that certain truths are unveiled only when the disciples are ready to receive them and when the circumstances necessitate their understanding, acknowledging their spiritual growth throughout His ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **told (Greek, _laléō'_):** This word (G2980) signifies "to talk, i.e., utter words." While often translated as "speak" or "say," _laléō_ can imply a more informal or continuous act of speaking, distinct from _epō_ (G2036), which often denotes a more direct or definitive statement. Here, in "But these things have I told you," it conveys Jesus' consistent communication and instruction to His disciples, emphasizing the ongoing nature of His teaching and warnings.
* **remember (Greek, _mnēmoneúō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "memory," this verb (G3421) means "to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse." In this context, it is crucial. Jesus' purpose in forewarning His disciples is not merely for them to know, but for them to *recall* these words when the predicted events unfold. This act of remembering serves to validate Jesus' authority, confirm His divine foresight, and anchor their faith in the midst of turmoil. It transforms future suffering from a bewildering surprise into a confirmation of God's sovereign plan.
* **beginning (Greek, _archḗ'_):** This term (G746) denotes "a commencement, or chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)." Here, "at the beginning" refers to the initial stages of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus' statement that He "said not unto you at the beginning" implies a progressive revelation of truth, where certain difficult realities were withheld until the disciples were spiritually mature enough to comprehend them and until the immediate context of Jesus' departure made such warnings necessary. His physical presence had provided a protective buffer that made the full weight of future persecution less immediately relevant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them."**: This opening clause establishes the purpose of Jesus' preceding warnings about persecution. The adversative "But" (G235, _allá_) signals a shift from the content of the warnings to their rationale. Jesus' deliberate act of foretelling is designed to serve a crucial function in the future. The phrase "when the time shall come" (G3752, _hótan_, G5610, _hṓra_, G2064, _érchomai_) indicates the certainty and inevitability of the predicted events—a specific, divinely appointed season of tribulation. The ultimate goal is that the disciples "may remember" (G3421, _mnēmoneúō_) His words, transforming their future experiences from disorienting shocks into confirmations of Jesus' prophetic truth and divine authority. This remembrance would prevent them from being "offended" (G4624, _skandalízō_ - from [John 16:1](/john/16-1 "John 16:1 - Avoiding Offense")) or losing faith.
* **"And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you."**: This second clause provides the reason for the timing of these revelations. The conjunction "And" (G1161, _dé_) continues the explanation. Jesus explicitly states that these intense warnings were "not" (G3756, _ou_) given "at the beginning" (G1537, _ek_, G746, _archḗ_) of His ministry. The reason is profoundly pastoral: "because I was with you" (G3754, _hóti_, G2252, _ḗmēn_, G3326, _metá_, G5216, _hymōn_). Jesus' physical presence served as a shield, a source of comfort, and a direct guide. While He was with them, the immediate need for such stark warnings was diminished; their faith was sustained by His visible presence and teaching. Only as His departure became imminent did the full weight of the challenges they would face become necessary to reveal, preparing them for a new era of ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit.

#### Literary Devices
[John 16:4](/john/16-4 "John 16:4 - Jesus Prepares His Disciples for Persecution") employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is central, as Jesus explicitly warns His disciples about future persecution, preparing them mentally and spiritually for events that are yet to unfold. This prophetic element underscores His omniscience and divine authority. There is a clear **Contrast** drawn between two distinct periods: "at the beginning" of His ministry when these warnings were withheld, and the present moment just before His departure, when they are revealed. This contrast highlights the progressive nature of divine revelation and the changing circumstances of the disciples' mission. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Purpose Clause**, indicated by "that when the time shall come, ye may remember." This structure clearly articulates the *intent* behind Jesus' actions, emphasizing that His words are not merely informative but are designed to produce a specific, faith-sustaining outcome in the future. The repetition of "told you" also serves to emphasize the certainty and deliberate nature of Jesus' communication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 16:4](/john/16-4 "John 16:4 - Jesus Prepares His Disciples for Persecution") profoundly illustrates God's sovereign care and His perfect timing in revealing truth. Jesus' foreknowledge of the disciples' future suffering is not a detached prediction but an act of loving preparation, ensuring their faith would not be shipwrecked by unforeseen trials. This passage underscores that divine revelation is often progressive, tailored to the recipient's capacity and the exigencies of the moment. The act of "remembering" becomes a vital spiritual discipline, transforming potential stumbling blocks into testimonies of God's faithfulness and the veracity of Christ's words. It assures believers that their experiences, even suffering, are not random but fit into a larger, divinely orchestrated narrative, validating their commitment and deepening their reliance on the Lord.

* [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit Reminds")
* [John 15:20](/john/15-20 "Persecution of Disciples")
* [Matthew 24:25](/matthew/24-25 "Jesus' Forewarnings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 16:4](/john/16-4 "John 16:4 - Jesus Prepares His Disciples for Persecution") offers profound comfort and practical guidance for believers navigating a world often hostile to the Gospel. Just as Jesus prepared His disciples for the inevitable challenges they would face, God continues to prepare us through His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are called to diligently study and internalize biblical truth, recognizing that God's warnings and promises are not mere historical accounts but living words designed to equip us for our own "times" of trial. When difficulties arise—whether persecution, personal suffering, or spiritual warfare—remembering that Christ foretold these things, and that He is with us, transforms our perspective. It shifts our focus from surprise and despair to steadfast faith, confirming that our experiences are part of God's wise and sovereign plan, intended to refine our character and deepen our dependence on Him. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing for revelation, knowing that He reveals what we need, when we need it, to sustain us in our journey of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "things" has Jesus told you through His Word that you need to remember when difficult times come?**
* **How does remembering Christ's forewarnings about suffering strengthen your faith rather than diminish it?**
* **In what ways has God's timing in revealing truth been evident in your own life, and how has His presence sustained you through challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus wait until the "beginning" of His ministry was over to tell His disciples about these harsh realities?**

Answer: Jesus' decision to withhold these specific warnings "at the beginning" of His ministry was a pastoral one, demonstrating His perfect understanding of His disciples' capacity and the immediate needs of the moment. During the early stages, their focus was on understanding fundamental truths about the Kingdom of God, witnessing miracles, and learning from Jesus' direct presence. His physical presence provided a shield and a constant source of guidance and comfort, making the full weight of future persecution less immediately relevant or comprehensible. As His departure became imminent, and they would soon be left to carry on His mission without His visible presence, it became crucial for them to be fully prepared for the opposition they would face. This progressive revelation highlights God's wisdom in unveiling truth according to His perfect timing and our readiness to receive it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 16:4](/john/16-4 "John 16:4 - Jesus Prepares His Disciples for Persecution") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' perfect knowledge, His compassionate preparation, and the enduring power of His words. As the omniscient Son of God, Jesus knew precisely what awaited His disciples, just as He knew the path to the cross He Himself would tread. His forewarnings were not merely predictions but a profound act of pastoral care, mirroring His own journey of suffering and ultimate triumph. By telling them "these things," Jesus was not just preparing them for persecution, but for participation in His own suffering, which He would fully embrace for the redemption of humanity (cf. [Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings")). The remembrance of His words becomes a lifeline, a testament to His faithfulness and the truth of His redemptive work, ensuring that even in the face of the world's hatred, believers would recognize their trials as part of God's sovereign plan, ultimately leading to glory. This echoes the truth that Christ, our great High Priest, can sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses")). His warnings, therefore, are a divine equipping for a life that, though marked by tribulation, is ultimately victorious in Him, for He has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")).

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

John 14:29

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Mark 13:23

But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

John 13:19

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am [he].

John 17:12

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

John 17:13

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Matthew 9:15

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Mark 2:19

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.