John 16

Warning of coming persecution 1
Good for Jesus to leave; He would send the Holy Spirit 5
The Spirit will guide you and lead you to truth in Christ  13
Sadness to come when Jesus would leave 16
When you need, ask 23
Peace available in the midst of trouble 25
Text Comments
.1 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended [not stumble].
 2  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
 3  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
 4  But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
   2 - Killeth you This time is facing us, too. This was, no doubt true of the experience of the disciples after Jesus was gone. As we read the prophecies, especially Revelation 13, we see that the threat is for us, too. The end-time global religion will demand worship to the beast's image at the threat of death re1315.
.5  But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
 6  But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
.7 ¶ Nevertheless 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 depart, I will send him unto you.
 8  And when he is come, he will reprove [convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
 9  Of sin, because they believe not on me;
 10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
 11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.


  7 - If I depart I will send him Christ had a work to begin in Heaven. He was anointed in a step of God's work of reconciling the world to Himself 2co0519, lu0418, ac1038.
  9 - Notice a new definition of sin. Or has it always been so?

The Holy Spirit is like the wind, jn0309
.
  10 - Righteousness because We may know this righteousness because He stands before the Father he0725.
  11 - Judgment because In getting the support of many of the angels, Satan has argued that his way is best. Because Jesus received all the temptation and force of Satan's wrath without falling for his lies, Jesus' right to judge on our behalf has been confirmed.
.12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
.13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
.14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
 15  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
  13 - Not speak of Himself Some are tempted to believe what they think the "spirit" is telling them, holding that impression above the Scriptures. This is evidence that the communication is not from the Holy Spirit. This temptation includes having no desire to consult the Bible or in believing that it's not for us today. The true Holy Spirit is only a communicator of the truth of Christ and the Scriptures. He does not speak on His own authority.
  13 - Guide into all truth The false spirit is preached as the true one. Here are characteristics of the real Holy Spirit. He guides into full understanding of truth from the Bible jn1717.
  13 - Not speak of himself The Holy Spirit has a background, support, role.There are no displays focusing on a person, no laughing hysteria, no falling unconscious.
  14 - Of mine The Holy Spirit reveals a portion of the truth from Christ. We will never be all knowing as He is but will rejoice in the continuing truth He shows us. Compare v12.
  15 - All things See jn0335, jn1710.
.16 ¶ A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
 17  Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
 18  They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
 19  Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
  16 - A little while The first "little while" is explained in the verses which follow. For the second, see ac0109ff.
.20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
 21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
 22  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
  20 - Weep ... but the world The disciples must have recalled these words when the prophecy was fulfilled. lu2327, jn2011, jn2020. The pain is pictured in is2617, is6607.
.23 ¶ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
.24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
  Asking in Jesus' name means asking, recognizing Him as our mediator. See jn1516. Also 1jo0322. He is our access to the Father and all the wealth of heaven. Of course we may also speak to Jesus in prayer, but if we close with "in your name amen" it seems that we miss the point. We can pray without speaking of any name at the end. Jesus didn't suggest one in His model prayer. How comforting to know that the Holy Spirit, as the agent of Christ jn1613, reads our heart and interprets our prayers ro0826. Christ, our intercessor, presents them with His own blood, to the Fatherle0407.
.25  These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
 26  At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
.27  For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
  26 - I say not ... pray the Father This puzzling statement is clarified by the next verse. We may pray to Christ, but basically we pray to the Father mt0609 in the name (authority) of Jesus jn1413. The disciples would not be directly dealing with Christ. He is our mediator in heaven he0911 but He would not pray as we see Him doing in chapter 17 jn1709. This certainly leaves no place for Mary to pray for us in heaven 1ti0205.
  27 - Father himself loveth Some suppose that He is uncaring and that Jesus has to beg Him to let us live ps06805.
.28 ¶ I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
 29  His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
 30  Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
 31  Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
.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.
.33  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.
  28 - I came ... into the world ... and go Jesus here gives us a broad picture of His eternal purpose and His experience of suffering for us. jn0101, jn1014.
  32 - Scattered See mr1427, mr1450, mt2656.
  33 - Peace See on jn1427.
Previous chapter
Next
John home
Commentary home