John 16:5

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

But {G1161} now {G3568} I go my way {G5217} to {G4314} him that sent {G3992} me {G3165}; and {G2532} none {G3762} of {G1537} you {G5216} asketh {G2065} me {G3165}, Whither {G4226} goest thou {G5217}?

But now I am going to the One who sent me.

“Not one of you is asking me, ‘Where are you going?’

Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’

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

John 16:5 is a poignant moment within Jesus' Farewell Discourse, where He addresses His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion. This verse reveals both Jesus' clear understanding of His divine mission and the disciples' current state of confusion and sorrow regarding His impending departure.

Context

This verse is found within Jesus' extended discourse to His disciples (John chapters 13-17) during the Last Supper. Having already spoken of His impending betrayal and denial, Jesus begins to prepare them for His physical absence. He has previously hinted at His departure, stating, "Whither I go, ye cannot come" (John 13:33). However, in John 16:5, He expresses surprise that despite these hints and the profound implications of His mission, none of them inquire about His destination or the purpose of His journey back to the Father. Their focus is primarily on the sorrow of His leaving, rather than the glorious purpose behind it.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Commission and Return: Jesus clearly states He is "going my way to him that sent me," emphasizing His ultimate destination is back to God the Father. This underscores His divine origin and the completion of His earthly mission, which culminates in His ascension.
  • Disciples' Lack of Understanding and Preoccupation with Sorrow: The disciples are so overwhelmed by grief and the immediate prospect of losing Jesus that they fail to grasp the bigger picture of His departure. Their sorrow blinds them to the deeper theological significance and the benefits that would follow His return to the Father, such as the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
  • The Purposeful Nature of Jesus' Journey: Jesus' departure is not an abandonment but a deliberate, divinely ordained step in God's redemptive plan. It is necessary for the next phase of His work, which includes preparing a place for them (John 14:2) and sending the Spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I go my way" translates the Greek verb hypago (ὑπάγω), which means "to go away" or "to depart." It often implies a purposeful, deliberate movement. In this context, it signifies Jesus' intentional journey back to the Father, fulfilling His mission. The lack of questioning from the disciples highlights their inward focus on their immediate pain rather than an outward inquiry into Jesus' divine trajectory.

Practical Application

John 16:5 offers a profound lesson for believers today. Often, our immediate concerns, fears, or sorrows can overshadow our understanding of God's greater plan. Like the disciples, we may become so focused on what we perceive as loss that we fail to ask important questions about God's purpose or the future blessings He intends. This verse encourages us to look beyond our present circumstances, trust in God's sovereign hand, and seek to understand His will even when it involves perceived difficulties. Jesus' departure, though painful for His disciples, was ultimately for their greater good, leading to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 13:36

    ¶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

  • John 7:33

    Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and [then] I go unto him that sent me.

  • John 16:28

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

  • Ephesians 4:7

    But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • John 17:4

    I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

  • John 14:4

    And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

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