John16
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
3And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4But 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.
5But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
8And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9of sin, because they believe not on me;
10of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;
11of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged.
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
14He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you.
15All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.
16A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.
17Some of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he saith.
19Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me?
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.
22And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.
23And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.
24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.
25These things have I spoken unto you in dark sayings: the hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in dark sayings, but shall tell you plainly of the Father.
26In that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you;
27for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
28I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go unto the Father.
29His disciples say, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no dark saying.
30Now know we that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32Behold, 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.
33These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 16.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Persecution foretold. (1–6). The promise of the Holy Spirit, and his office. (7–15). Christ's departure and return. (16–22). Encouragement to prayer. (23–27). Christ's discoveries of himself. (28–33).
vv1-6
Our Lord Jesus, by giving his disciples notice of trouble, designed that the terror might not be a surprise to them. It is possible for those who are real enemies to God's service, to pretend zeal for it. This does not lessen the sin of the persecutors; villanies will never be changed by putting the name of God to them. As Jesus in his sufferings, so his followers in theirs, should look to the fulfilling of Scripture. He did not tell them sooner, because he was with them to teach, guide, and comfort them; they needed not then this promise of the Holy Spirit's presence. It will silence us to ask, Whence troubles come? It will satisfy us to ask, Whither go they? for we know they work for good. It is the common fault and folly of melancholy Christians to look only on the dark side of the cloud, and to turn a deaf ear to the voice of joy and gladness. That which filled the disciples' hearts with sorrow, was too great affection for this present life. Nothing more hinders our joy in God, than the love of the world, and the sorrow of the world which comes from it.
vv7-15
Christ's departure was necessary to the Comforter's coming. Sending the Spirit was to be the fruit of Christ's death, which was his going away. His bodily presence could be only in one place at one time, but his Spirit is every where, in all places, at all times, wherever two or three are gathered together in his name. See here the office of the Spirit, first to reprove, or to convince. Convincing work is the Spirit's work; he can do it effectually, and none but he. It is the method the Holy Spirit takes, first to convince, and then to comfort. The Spirit shall convince the world, of sin; not merely tell them of it. The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin; of the fault of sin; of the folly of sin; of the filth of sin, that by it we are become hateful to God; of the fountain of sin, the corrupt nature; and lastly, of the fruit of sin, that the end thereof is death. The Holy Spirit proves that all the world is guilty before God. He convinces the world of righteousness; that Jesus of Nazareth was Christ the righteous. Also, of Christ's righteousness, imparted to us for justification and salvation. He will show them where it is to be had, and how they may be accepted as righteous in God's sight. Christ's ascension proves the ransom was accepted, and the righteousness finished, through which believers were to be justified. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. All will be well, when his power is broken, who made all the mischief. As Satan is subdued by Christ, this gives us confidence, for no other power can stand before him. And of the day of judgment. The coming of the Spirit would be of unspeakable advantage to the disciples. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, not only to show us the way, but to go with us by continued aids and influences. To be led into a truth is more than barely to know it; it is not only to have the notion of it in our heads, but the relish, and savour, and power of it in our hearts. He shall teach all truth, and keep back nothing profitable, for he will show things to come. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit, all the preaching, and all the writing of the apostles, under the influence of the Spirit, all the tongues, and miracles, were to glorify Christ. It behoves every one to ask, whether the Holy Spirit has begun a good work in his heart? Without clear discovery of our guilt and danger, we never shall understand the value of Christ's salvation; but when brought to know ourselves aright, we begin to see the value of the Redeemer. We should have fuller views of the Redeemer, and more lively affections to him, if we more prayed for, and depended on the Holy Spirit.
vv16-22
It is good to consider how near our seasons of grace are to an end, that we may be quickened to improve them. But the sorrows of the disciples would soon be turned into joy; as those of a mother, at the sight of her infant. The Holy Spirit would be their Comforter, and neither men nor devils, neither sufferings in life nor in death, would ever deprive them of their joy. Believers have joy or sorrow, according to their sight of Christ, and the tokens of his presence. Sorrow is coming on the ungodly, which nothing can lessen; the believer is an heir to joy which no one can take away. Where now is the joy of the murderers of our Lord, and the sorrow of his friends?
Key Words
λαλέω (laléō): to talk, i.e. utter words
ταῦτα (taûta): these things
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
ἵνα μή (hína mḗ): in order (or so) that not
σκανδαλίζω (skandalízō): to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)
ποιέω (poiéō): to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
ἀποσυνάγωγος (aposynágōgos): excommunicated
ἀλλά (allá): properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὥρα (hṓra): an "hour" (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
John 16Exaltation of Christ to the Father's right hand as the ultimate proof and seal of justifying righteousness.
Supported by JFB
Reinforces the promise and agency of Christ sending the Comforter (Spirit of truth) from the Father.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct parallel showing the judgment and casting out of the prince of this world through Christ's death.
Supported by JFB
Provides historical precedent in John's Gospel for being put out of the synagogue for confessing Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Saul of Tarsus exemplifying those who kill Christians believing they are performing service to God.
Supported by JFB
Grounds the world's persecution in their ignorance of both Jesus and the Father who sent Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic background of the shepherd being smitten and the sheep/disciples being scattered to their own.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains the theological necessity of Jesus being glorified before the Holy Spirit could be given.
Supported by JFB
The Old Testament prophetic basis for the Righteous Servant justifying many by bearing their iniquities.
Supported by JFB
Describes the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings all things to remembrance.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verbal parallel regarding the privilege and promise of asking the Father in Christ's name.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels the disciples' confession of believing that Jesus came forth from God.
Supported by John Calvin
Links Christ's gift of peace with the overcoming of worldly tribulation and sorrow.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Historical demonstration of the Spirit's reproving/convincing work, pricking hearts on the day of Pentecost.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Theological exposition of how Christ's death destroyed him who had the power of death (Satan).
Supported by JFB