John 16:32

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.

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}.

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.

“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.

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

Commentary on John 16:32 (KJV)

John 16:32 is a powerful verse that captures Jesus' profound awareness of His impending suffering and the immediate abandonment by His closest followers, balanced by His unwavering reliance on the Father's presence. It is a moment of stark prophecy and deep theological insight from the Lord's farewell discourse.

Context

This verse is spoken by Jesus during His farewell discourse to His disciples in the Upper Room, just hours before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He has been preparing them for His departure, the persecution they will face, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus declared, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). This prophecy in verse 32 serves as a stark reality check, demonstrating Jesus' full knowledge of the human response to His impending crisis.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Foreknowledge: Jesus clearly and calmly predicts the immediate future: His disciples will scatter, and He will be left alone. This showcases His divine omniscience and control, even in the face of betrayal and abandonment.
  • Human Frailty and Abandonment: The prophecy of the disciples being "scattered, every man to his own" highlights the reality of human weakness and fear under extreme pressure. Despite their devotion, they would momentarily abandon Him, fulfilling prophecies such as Zechariah 13:7, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
  • Divine Presence and Solitude: The profound paradox of the verse is Jesus' declaration: "and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me." Though physically deserted by His closest companions, Jesus emphasizes His unbreakable, sustaining communion with God the Father. This reveals the depth of His relationship with the Father and His complete reliance on divine companionship in His hour of greatest need.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "every man to his own" translates the Greek eis ta idia, which implies a return to one's own home, affairs, or sphere of comfort and safety. The word "scattered" (Greek: skorpizo) vividly describes the disciples' dispersion, like a flock without a shepherd, emphasizing their disarray and flight. The repetition of "alone" and "not alone" underscores the central paradox of Jesus' experience: utter physical isolation contrasted with profound spiritual fellowship.

Practical Application

John 16:32 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • God's Unwavering Presence: Jesus' experience assures us that even in our darkest hours, when we feel most isolated, betrayed, or abandoned by others, God's presence is constant and sufficient. We are never truly alone if we are in Christ.
  • Understanding Human Weakness: The disciples' scattering serves as a humble reminder of our own capacity for fear and failure. It encourages us to rely on God's strength rather than our own resolve, recognizing that true faith often shines brightest in the face of our limitations.
  • Hope in Divine Sovereignty: Jesus' foreknowledge of these events, and His calm declaration that the Father is with Him, demonstrates that even the most painful circumstances are within God's sovereign plan. This brings comfort and hope, knowing that God is at work even when we cannot see it.
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

  • Zechariah 13:7 (24 votes)

    ¶ 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 (11 votes)

    ¶ 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 (10 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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.