John16
English Standard Version
1I have all these to keep you from .
2They will out of the . , the is will he is to .
3 they will these they have the , .
4 I have these to , hour may to you. I did these to the , I .
5 I am him who , , are you ?
6 I have these to , has .
7 , the : it is to go , if I do go , the will . I , I will .
8 when he , will the :
9 , they do ;
10 , I the , you will no ;
11 , the of is .
12I to to , you them .
13 the of , will the , he will his own , he he will , he will to the things that are to .
14 will , he will what it to .
15 the ; I he will what it to .
16A , you will no ; a , you will .
17 some , he to , A , you will , a , you will ; , am the ?
18 they were , he by a ? We do he is .
19 they to , he to , Is this what you are , what I , A you will , a you will ?
20 , , I to , will , the will . will be , will .
21 a is giving , she has , she has the , she no the , a has been the .
22 , I will , will , no will .
23 you will of . , , I to , you of the , he will it to .
24 you have . , you will , may .
25I have these to . The is I will no to will the .
26 you will , I do to will the your ;
27 the , have have .
28I the have the , and I am the the .
29 , , you are figurative !
30 we you all do ; is we you .
31 , Do you ?
32 , the is , it , will be , each his home, will . I , the .
33I have these to , you may . the you will . take ; have the .
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