John 16:9

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Of {G4012} sin {G266},{G3303} because {G3754} they believe {G4100} not {G3756} on {G1519} me {G1691};

about sin, in that people don’t put their trust in me;

in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;

of sin, because they believe not on me;

Commentary

Context

John 16:9 is part of Jesus' extensive farewell discourse to His disciples, delivered shortly before His crucifixion. In these chapters (John 13-17), Jesus prepares them for His departure and reveals crucial truths about the coming of the Holy Spirit. He promises that the Spirit, often called the "Comforter" or "Helper" (Greek: Paraclete), will continue His work on earth. Specifically, Jesus states that the Spirit will "reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Verse 9 focuses on the first of these three profound convicting roles of the Holy Spirit, addressing the world's primary spiritual failing.

Key Themes

  • The Holy Spirit's Convicting Power: The verse highlights a core function of the Holy Spirit: to bring undeniable conviction to the world regarding its spiritual condition. This conviction is not merely an accusation but a profound exposure of truth, leading to a realization of guilt.
  • The Root Sin of Unbelief: Jesus explicitly identifies the fundamental sin that the Holy Spirit will reprove the world for: "because they believe not on me." This emphasizes that the ultimate transgression is not just breaking moral laws, but rejecting Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. It underscores that God's ultimate provision for salvation has been offered, and the refusal to accept it is the gravest offense. This profound truth is also reflected in John 3:18, which states that "he that believeth not is condemned already."
  • Jesus' Centrality to Salvation: The verse implicitly affirms Jesus' divine identity and His essential role in humanity's reconciliation with God. Belief in Him is presented as the pivot point for humanity's spiritual destiny.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Sin" (Greek: hamartia): While often meaning "missing the mark," here Jesus defines it in a very specific, foundational way—the failure to believe in Him. This points to a relational rather than merely a legalistic understanding of sin.
  • "Believe" (Greek: pisteuō): This word implies more than just intellectual assent; it denotes trust, reliance, commitment, and active faith in Jesus' person and work. The absence of this deep trust is the core problem.
  • "Reprove" or "Convict" (Greek: elegchō): This term means to expose, refute, convict, or bring to light with undeniable proof. The Holy Spirit's work is not a gentle suggestion but a powerful, compelling demonstration of truth that exposes the world's spiritual blindness and guilt concerning unbelief.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound insights for believers and the world today:

  • Understanding the Holy Spirit's Work: It helps us recognize the Holy Spirit's ongoing ministry in the world, convicting hearts of their need for Christ. When people feel a sense of spiritual unease or guilt, it is often the Spirit at work, pointing to the foundational issue of unbelief.
  • The Urgency of the Gospel: Since unbelief is the root sin leading to condemnation, it highlights the immense importance of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The only remedy for this core sin is faith in Him, as emphasized in Acts 4:12: "Neither is there salvation in any other."
  • Self-Examination: For those who claim to follow Christ, this verse prompts introspection: Is our belief in Jesus genuine, active trust, or merely intellectual acknowledgment? True faith leads to a transformed life.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 15:22 (10 votes)

    If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

  • John 15:25 (10 votes)

    But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

  • John 8:23 (9 votes)

    And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

  • John 8:24 (9 votes)

    I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

  • John 12:47 (9 votes)

    And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

  • John 12:48 (9 votes)

    He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

  • Hebrews 3:12 (8 votes)

    Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.