John 16

On the night before His death, Jesus warns His disciples of coming persecution and promises that the Holy Spirit will come to them. He prepares them for His going away, tells them their sorrow will turn to joy, and invites them to pray in His name. He closes with a promise of peace, because He has overcome the world.

John 16:1

Jesus has just warned the disciples that the world will hate them. He tells them this ahead of time so their faith will not be shaken when hard days come. A warning given in advance is a kindness, because it keeps trouble from looking like failure.

BSA: fall away (“be caused to stumble, offended, scandalized”): The danger is not only quitting, but tripping over something unexpected, such as suffering, and giving up on Jesus.

Greek: σκανδαλισθῆτε (skandalisthēte, G4624) — “be made to stumble.” The word comes from the trigger of a trap. Jesus wants them not to be snared by suffering that catches them off guard.

See also: John 15:18-21.

John 16:2

Being put out of the synagogue meant losing one’s place in the community of worship and in daily life. Jesus says it will get worse. Some persecutors will kill believers and sincerely think they are serving God. Zeal alone does not prove a person is right.

BSA: service (“ministry, act of worship”): The killers will think of their violence as sacred worship offered to God.

See also: Acts 26:9-11.

John 16:3

The root of such hatred is not knowing God. Those who persecute in God’s name have never truly known the Father or the Son. To know Jesus is to know the Father, so rejecting Jesus shows a deeper blindness.

See also: John 8:19.

John 16:4

Jesus tells them so that when the hard hour comes they will remember He saw it coming. They will not be left thinking that things have spun out of control. While He was with them, His presence was protection enough, so He had said less about this.

BSA: remember (“recall, bring to mind”): His words are meant to be stored up now and brought back to mind in the dark days.

John 16:5-6

Jesus is going to the Father who sent Him. The disciples are so wrapped up in grief at the thought of losing Him that none asks where He is going. Sorrow can fill the heart so completely that it crowds out the very comfort being offered.

BSA: filled (“completely satisfied, made full”): Grief has taken up all the room in their hearts, leaving no space for questions or hope.

See also: John 13:36; John 14:5.

John 16:7

This sounds hard to believe: Jesus’ leaving is better for them. Once He returns to the Father, the Spirit will come and be with every believer, not just one place at one time. Jesus’ departure opens the way for a closer presence.

BSA: Advocate (“Counsellor, Comforter, Helper”): The Spirit comes alongside to help, defend, encourage and strengthen believers.

Greek: παράκλητος (paraklētos, G3875) — “one called alongside to help.” It can mean helper, comforter, counselor or advocate. The picture is of someone standing beside you, ready to speak and act for you.

See also: John 14:16-17; Acts 2:1-4.

John 16:8

The Spirit has a work toward the world as well as toward believers. He will bring people to see the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment. This is more than accusing. It is showing people the reality of their situation so they can turn to God.

BSA: convict (“reprove, show fault”): The Spirit exposes what is true so clearly that a person cannot honestly dismiss it.

Greek: ἐλέγξει (elenxei, G1651) — “will expose, will prove wrong.” The word carries the sense of bringing evidence to light, as in a courtroom. The Spirit makes the case plain to the conscience.

John 16:9

The great sin the Spirit exposes is unbelief in Jesus. Sin is not only bad deeds. At its heart it is refusing to trust the One whom God sent. Seeing this, a person can turn from it and trust Christ.

BSA: believe (“toward, into, with faith directed at”): Belief means leaning the whole weight of one’s trust into Jesus, not merely agreeing with facts.

See also: John 3:18-19.

John 16:10

Jesus’ return to the Father shows that He was right and that God approved Him. The world condemned Him as a criminal, but the Father received Him. His righteousness stands as the measure that shows up the world’s false righteousness.

See also: Acts 3:13-15.

John 16:11

The cross seemed to be Satan’s triumph, but it was his defeat. The ruler of this world already stands condemned. The Spirit makes this clear so that people will not follow a leader who is already judged.

BSA: condemned (“judged, punished”): The verdict has already been given against Satan, even though its full effect is still to come.

See also: John 12:31; Colossians 2:15.

John 16:12

Jesus is honest and gentle. He has more to teach, but they could not carry it yet. A good teacher does not pile on more than a learner can bear. The fuller meaning of His death and resurrection would only become clear later.

BSA: bear (“carry, lift, endure”): Truth can be a load, and Jesus does not hand them more than they are able to carry at present.

John 16:13

The Spirit of truth will lead the disciples further into the truth about Jesus. He does not bring a message of His own, but passes on what He hears from the Father and the Son. The apostles were given this help so that they could teach and write.

BSA: guide (“lead and direct”): The Spirit goes with them like a guide on a road, leading step by step into the truth.

Greek: ὁδηγήσει (hodēgēsei, G3594) — “will lead along the way.” It comes from the word for road. The Spirit walks with believers on the path of truth as a guide, rather than only pointing from afar.

See also: John 14:26.

John 16:14

The Spirit’s work always points to Jesus. He does not draw attention to Himself. He takes what is Christ’s and makes it known, so that believers see Jesus more clearly and honor Him more fully.

BSA: glorify (“give praise and honor to”): The Spirit’s aim is that Jesus be honored and seen as He truly is.

John 16:15

Everything the Father has belongs to the Son. So when the Spirit passes on what is Christ’s, He is also passing on what is the Father’s. The three are one in what they give. Believers receive true riches this way.

See also: John 17:10.

John 16:16

Jesus now says something puzzling: a little while and they will not see Him, then a little while and they will see Him again. He is speaking of His death and burial, and then His resurrection. Some Christians also hear in it a hint of His final return.

See also: John 14:19.

John 16:17-18

The disciples whisper to each other, confused by His words. They hold on to the phrase ‘a little while’ and cannot make sense of it. They were honest enough to admit they did not understand, and Jesus does not rebuke them for it.

BSA: understand (“to perceive, to see spiritually”): They hear the words, but the meaning has not yet dawned on them.

John 16:19

Jesus knows what they are asking before they say it. He meets their confusion kindly, bringing their private question into the open and answering it. He knows His followers’ hearts and does not wait for them to find the courage to ask.

BSA: Aware (“perceiving, knowing”): Jesus sees into their thoughts and meets them where they are.

John 16:20

Jesus tells them that they will weep while the world celebrates, as it will when He is crucified. But their sorrow will not simply be replaced by joy. It will turn into joy. The same events that cause the grief will be the source of the gladness.

See also: Psalm 30:5.

John 16:21

A woman in labor suffers sharp pain, but it leads to the birth of a child, and the joy of that makes her forget the pain. Jesus uses this to show that the disciples’ sorrow has a purpose and a happy end.

BSA: anguish (“pressure, tribulation”): The Greek word suggests being pressed in on all sides, as in the squeeze of labor.

Greek: θλῖψιν (thlipsin, G2347) — “pressure, distress.” The word pictures being squeezed or crushed. The same word is used for tribulation in verse 33.

See also: Isaiah 66:7-9.

John 16:22

Their sorrow is real, but it is for now. When Jesus rises and sees them again, their hearts will rejoice. This joy will be lasting, because no one can take it from them. It rests on a living Lord.

BSA: joy (“deep happiness, delight”): This is a settled gladness grounded in Christ, rather than a passing mood.

See also: John 20:19-20.

John 16:23

After His resurrection and the Spirit’s coming, they will no longer need to bring their questions to Jesus as they do now. They will pray to the Father directly. Whatever they ask in Jesus’ name, the Father will give. Praying in His name means asking as His people, in line with who He is.

BSA: name (“as My representative, in My authority”): To ask in Jesus’ name is to come on His behalf and in His character, not as a magic formula.

See also: John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14.

John 16:24

Until now they had not asked in His name. Jesus invites them to ask now, and promises they will receive. The aim is joy. God does not give in order to make us dependent in a grudging way, but so that our joy may be full.

BSA: complete (“fulfilled, made full”): God wants their joy filled to the brim, with nothing lacking.

See also: John 15:11.

John 16:25

Jesus has been teaching in pictures and sayings that were hard to grasp. A time is coming, after His resurrection and the gift of the Spirit, when He will speak openly about the Father. The truth about God will become clear.

BSA: figures of speech (“proverbs, dark sayings”): His teaching has so far been wrapped in picture language that needed unwrapping.

John 16:26-27

Jesus is not saying He will stop praying for them. His point is that they will not need Him to win over a reluctant Father. The Father Himself loves them. Because they love the Son and believe in Him, they are already welcomed.

BSA: loves (“has a strong affection for, cherishes”): The Father’s love is personal warmth, not cold duty.

Greek: φιλεῖ (philei, G5368) — “has affection for, loves as a friend.” This word speaks of warm, friendly love. The Father is not merely putting up with believers. He holds them dear.

See also: John 14:21; Romans 8:34.

John 16:28

In one sentence Jesus sums up His whole story: from the Father into the world, then out of the world and back to the Father. This is the road He is about to travel through the cross, resurrection and ascension.

BSA: came (“from the very presence”): He did not merely appear in the world; He came from God’s own presence.

See also: John 1:1-14; Philippians 2:6-11.

John 16:29-30

The disciples think they finally understand. They are glad He speaks plainly and that He knows their questions before they ask. They believe He came from God. Their faith is real, but Jesus knows it is not yet tested.

BSA: plainly (“with boldness, freedom”): They feel He has stopped speaking in riddles and is now speaking openly.

John 16:31-32

Jesus’ reply is gentle but searching. Their faith will be tested within hours. They will scatter and leave Him alone. Yet He is not alone, because the Father is with Him. Even when friends fail, He is held by the Father.

BSA: scattered (“disperse, go separate ways”): The group that gathered around Him will break apart in fear.

See also: Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31.

John 16:33

Jesus has said all this so that they may have peace in Him, not in their circumstances. Trouble in the world is certain. But He has already overcome the world, so they can take heart. His victory is the ground of their peace.

BSA: overcome (“conquered, subdued”): The victory is already won and stands as a fact, even before the cross is finished. tribulation (“pressure, distress, trials”): Believers will feel the pressure of a world opposed to Christ.

Greek: νενίκηκα (nenikēka, G3528) — “I have conquered.” The tense speaks of a victory won with lasting results. Jesus speaks as one who has already triumphed.

See also: 1 John 5:4; Romans 8:37.