Jesus shifts from his typical authoritative proclamations to intimate consolation, promising the Spirit will reveal "all truth" while simultaneously executing divine judgment on the world's sin.
John 16
The Work of the Holy Spirit
1“I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble.
2They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.
3They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me.
4But I have told you these things so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;
9about sin, because they don’t believe in me;
10about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;
11about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
12“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.
13However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.
14He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and will declare it to you.
15All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you.
Sorrow Will Turn to Joy
16“A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”
17Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?”
18They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”
19Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?
20Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
25“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
26In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you,
27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.
28I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
29His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech.
30Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
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Theme
In His final discourse before the crucifixion, Jesus prepares His disciples for the persecution they will face and promises the coming Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth. He acknowledges their present sorrow at His departure but assures them that their grief will transform into lasting joy when they see Him again. Jesus emphasizes the Spirit's role in convicting the world and glorifying Christ, while promising that prayer in His name will be answered by the Father.
Context
This chapter concludes Jesus' extended farewell discourse that began in chapter 14, immediately preceding His high priestly prayer in chapter 17.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 Warning of Coming Persecution Jesus prepares disciples for expulsion from synagogues and martyrdom by those who think they serve God.
- 5-11 The Necessity of Jesus' Departure Jesus explains that His departure is advantageous because it enables the Counselor to come and convict the world.
- 12-15 The Spirit's Ministry of Truth The Spirit of truth will guide disciples into all truth and glorify Jesus by declaring what belongs to Him.
- 16-19 The Disciples' Confusion The disciples struggle to understand Jesus' cryptic statement about seeing Him 'a little while' after not seeing Him.
- 20-24 Sorrow Transformed to Joy Jesus promises that their present sorrow will become permanent joy, like a woman's labor pains turning to celebration at birth.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
16:1–16:15 gospel speech solemn
Jesus warns his disciples about coming persecution and promises the Holy Spirit as Counselor who will guide them into all truth and convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
person_contrast
Jesus shifts from his typical authoritative proclamations to intimate consolation, promising the Spirit will reveal "all truth" while simultaneously executing divine judgment on the world's sin.
Sorrow Will Turn to Joy
16:16–16:33 gospel dialogue hopeful
Jesus promises his confused disciples that their sorrow will turn to joy when they see him again, using the metaphor of childbirth and encouraging them to pray in his name.
person_contrast
Jesus employs the rare metaphor of childbirth—appearing only here and in Revelation 12—to transform his disciples' understanding of suffering from defeat into the necessary precursor to unprecedented joy.
Insights
Jesus employs the rare metaphor of childbirth—appearing only here and in Revelation 12—to transform his disciples' understanding of suffering from defeat into the necessary precursor to unprecedented joy.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
John 16:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
John 8:44 Lexical
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, a…
Matthew 10:19 Lexical
But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you…
Mark 13:11 Lexical
When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatev…
John 16:5 1 reference
John 16:7 1 reference
John 16:8 4 references
Lexicals 4
John 8:46 Lexical
Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
1 John 4:17 Lexical
In this, love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even s…
Hebrews 11:7 Lexical
By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his hous…
1 John 2:2 Lexical
And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
John 16:11 2 references
John 16:12 1 reference
John 16:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 8:44 Lexical
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, a…
John 15:26 Lexical
“When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father…
Mark 13:11 Lexical
When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatev…
John 4:25 Lexical
The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming, he who is called Christ. When he has come, he will declare to us…
1 Peter 1:12 Lexical
To them it was revealed that they served not themselves, but you, in these things, which now have been announced to you…
John 16:17 2 references
John 16:19 1 reference
John 16:20 2 references
John 16:21 1 reference
John 16:22 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Corinthians 2:3 Lexical
And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; ha…
Hebrews 12:11 Lexical
All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righte…
John 15:24 Lexical
If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now they have seen and also…
Hebrews 2:8 Lexical
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that…
John 16:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 15:16 Lexical
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should r…
John 5:19 Lexical
Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Fath…
1 John 5:16 Lexical
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who si…
John 14:13 Lexical
Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Matthew 24:36 Lexical
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
John 16:24 2 references
John 16:25 4 references
Lexicals 4
John 7:13 Lexical
Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
John 4:21 Lexical
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worshi…
John 4:23 Lexical
But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father see…
Luke 2:38 Lexical
Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption…
John 16:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 John 5:16 Lexical
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who si…
Acts 28:7 Lexical
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received u…
Matthew 24:36 Lexical
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 Lexical
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Acts 10:48 Lexical
He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
John 16:27 1 reference
John 16:29 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 7:26 Lexical
Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is truly the Chri…
Philippians 1:20 Lexical
according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, n…
Acts 4:29 Lexical
Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
John 18:20 Lexical
Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always…
John 7:13 Lexical
Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
John 16:30 2 references
John 16:32 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 10:12 Lexical
He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees…
Matthew 18:35 Lexical
So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
John 13:1 Lexical
Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the…
Matthew 24:36 Lexical
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
John 5:18 Lexical
For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also calle…
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