John 16:10

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

Of {G4012}{G1161} righteousness {G1343}, because {G3754} I go {G5217} to {G4314} my {G3450} Father {G3962}, and {G2532} ye see {G2334} me {G3165} no more {G3765};

about righteousness, in that I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;

in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me;

of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;

Commentary

Context

John 16:10 is part of Jesus' profound farewell discourse to His disciples, delivered in the Upper Room just before His crucifixion. In this section (John 16:7-15), Jesus prepares them for His physical departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit, or Comforter. Jesus explains that the Spirit's primary role will be to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. Verse 10 specifically elaborates on *why* the Spirit will convict the world of righteousness: because Jesus is returning to the Father and will no longer be visible on Earth.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Perfect Righteousness: The core message is the vindication of Jesus' life and ministry. His going to the Father is not a defeat but the ultimate proof of His perfect righteousness and acceptance by God. It signifies that He successfully completed His mission without sin.
  • The Holy Spirit's Convicting Power: The Spirit points to Christ's righteousness as the standard for humanity. By ascending to the Father, Jesus demonstrates what true righteousness looks like, and the Spirit convicts the world of its failure to meet this divine standard, thereby exposing its need for Christ.
  • The Father's Acceptance and Exaltation: Jesus' return to the Father is the definitive sign of His divine approval and exaltation. His work is finished, and He is welcomed back into glory, confirming His identity as the Son of God.
  • Faith Beyond Sight: The disciples will no longer see Jesus, yet His unseen reality and the Spirit's testimony will be the basis for understanding righteousness and faith. This foreshadows the era of faith in the unseen Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "righteousness" is dikaiosyne (δικαιοσύνη). In this context, it refers not merely to moral uprightness but to a state of being in right standing with God, a perfect conformity to His will. Jesus' ascension signifies His complete and perfect fulfillment of God's righteous requirements, making Him the standard and source of righteousness for all who believe.

Practical Application

John 16:10 offers profound comfort and challenge. For believers, it affirms the completeness of Christ's work and His exalted position. Our own righteousness in Christ is secured by His perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant ascension. For the world, the Holy Spirit continues to convict hearts, demonstrating that true righteousness is not found in human effort but in the perfect life of Jesus, who went to the Father. This verse calls us to acknowledge our need for Christ's righteousness and to embrace Him as the only way to be declared righteous before God.

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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

  • Romans 10:3 (6 votes)

    For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

  • Romans 10:4 (6 votes)

    For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 (6 votes)

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • 1 Peter 3:18 (6 votes)

    ¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

  • 1 Timothy 3:16 (4 votes)

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

  • Philippians 3:7 (4 votes)

    But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

  • Philippians 3:9 (4 votes)

    ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: