John 16

1 Christ foretelleth his Disciples that they shall,be persecuted,5 and comeforteth them with the promise of the holy Ghost,who shall convince the world of sin,righteousness and judgement,12 and lead them unto all truth.16 Declareth that he shall shortly be taken from them,but shall be seen again for a little while,20 and that their sorrow shall quickly be turned into joy,as the pains of a woman when she bath brought forth.23 Fxhorteth thhem to pray in his name,withh promise that they shall be heard,28 and declareth plainly without similitude that he leaveth th world ,29 which the Disciples understood,and are confirmed in their faith.31 He forewarneth them that they shall be scattered,and promiseth them his peace.

1. These things have I spoken unto you,[Namely,of the hatred and persecution of the world against you] that ye be not offended.[that is,thereby,as by a thing unexpected,should not be weakened in your faith or be made wavering.]

2. They shall cast you out of the Synagogues [See hereof,John9.22.] yea the hour cometh that every one that shall kill you,shall think he doth God service.[or bringeth,offereth him an offering.]

3. And these things shall they do unto you,because they have not known the Father,nor me.

4. But these things have I spoken to you,that when the hour shall be come,ye may remember the same,that I have told you of them:yet these things I said not unto you [Namely,so distinctly,and plainly] from the beginning,because I was with you [namely,and should not so soon part from you as now I shall do.]

5. And now I ggo my way unto him that sent me,[That is,now the time approacheth that I shall leave the world] and non of you asked me [namely,now as ye have indeed done before this,John 13:36.and 14.5.] wither goeth thou?

6. But because I have spoken these things unto you,sorrow has filled your heart.[Namely,which hinders you from asking,whither,and to that end I go from you.]

7. But I tell you the truth,it is profitable for you that i go away :for if i go not away,te Comforter [Or the Advocate,i.e. the holy Ghost.See John 14:16.]will not come unto you : [namely,with his abundant,and wonderfull gifts and operations] but if i go hence,i will send him unto you.

8. And he being come shall convince [Namely,as well by the preaching of the Apostles,as by his inward operation] the world of sin,and of righteousness and of judgement.

9. Of sin [That is,that they have sinned grievously]because they believe not in me : [namely, as the true Messias,but have put me to death as an ungodly person.]

10. And of righteousness [That is,that I was put to death unjustly,and being righteous,suffered for the unrighteous [because I go hence unto my Father,[that is,whereof mine ascension is a certain evidence] and ye shall see me nomore,[namely,after my ascension,Acts 3:21.]

11. And of Judgement [That is, that i have power to govern and judge all things, even to condemn unbelievers unto eternal death, Mat.28.18. Avts 2.36.] because the Prince of this world [that is, the Devil. see John 12:31. Ephes 2.2.] is judged [that is, condemned: soasmuch as by my death his power and dominion shall be taken from, Colossians 2:15. Heb.2.14.]

12. Yet many things [Namely, serving for confirmation, and further explantion of what i have told you herefore, John 15:15.] have i to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. [namely, because of your present weakness and sorrow,]

13. But when he shall come [Namely, after mine ascension shall be powred out upon you] (namely) the spirit of truth, he shall lead you unto all truth. [namley, which shall be needfull for you know for the execution of your office, Mat.28.19. so that ye shall not only know the same, but also shall not be able to erre in the teaching hereof] for he shall not speak of himself [namley, only without the Father and me, See John 5:30.] but whatsoever he shall have heard [namely, from the Father and from me. See John 3:32. and 15.15.] be shall speak, and shall declare you the things to come.

14. He shall glorifie me [Namley, by his testimony, gifts and miracles] for he shall of mine, [that is, the same doctrine of salvation which i have taught you, he shall also reaveal unto you seeing he shall receive the same from me] and shall declare it unto you.

15. All that the Father hath mine [That is, all the divine properties which the Father hath i have also, as being his only begotten Son of one essence with him] therefore i sate, that he shall take out of mine declare unto you.

16. A little (while) [Namley, shall there be, while i shall lie in the grave] and ye shall not see me:and again a little (while) [namely,of forty daies,after that i shall be risen again,before i shall ascend into heaven] and ye shall not see me;for i go my way unto the Father.

17. (Some) therefore of his disciples said one to another,what is this that he saith unto us?[That is,what doth he understand thereby] a little (while) and yen shall not see me;and again a little (while) and ye shall see me,and for i go my way to the Father.

18. They said therefore,what is this that he saith,a little (while?) we know not what he saith.

19. Then Jesus knew [Namely,by his omniscience which they themselves acknowlede v.30] that they would ask him,and said unto them,do ye enquire thereof one amongst another,that i said,a little (while) and ye shall see me?

20. Verily,verily,I say unto you,that ye shall cry,and weep lamentably,[Namely,during the time of my suffering and absence from you] but the world shall rejoyce and ye shall be grieved,but your grief shall become joy.[namely,when ye shall see me alive again.]

21. A woman [Gr.the woman] when she brings forth,hath sorrow [namely,by reason of the pain and misery,Gen.3.16.]seeing her hour is come:but when she hath brought forth the child,she remembreth no more the distress [that is,she regards it no more] for joy that man is born into the world.

22. And ye therefore now indeed have sorrow,but i will see you again,[Namely,after my resurrection]and your heart shall rejoyce [namely,seeing me alive again with you,Luke.24.41.]and no man shall take your joy away from you.[namely, because the cause thereof shall endure alwaies,seeing I shall then die no more,but shall alwaies be in eternal glory,and prepare you a place then also,John 14:2.]

23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing;[That is,need to ask me nothing,seeing the holy Ghost shall instruct you in all things] Verily, verily,I say unto you,whatsoever ye shall pray the Father [or shall desire of the Father] i9n my name(that) shall he give unto you.

24. Hitherto,[That is,ye have indeed hitherto,as other believers in the old Testament,in your prayers had respect unto the Messiah,which was yet to come,Dan.9.17.but henceforward when I shall now have accomplished the work of Redemption;ye shall make your prayers with greater knowledge and confidence,looking unto me as the promised Messiah himself,and my merits and intercession.] ye have not prayed,[or for nothing.Namely,because I my self was with you,and taught you all things,& took care for all things of you] in my name.pray (or desire) and ye shall receive,that your joy may be filled.[That is,increase more and more,by the obtaining of all spiritual gifts.]

25. These things have I spoken unto you by similitudes;but the hour cometh,that I will no more speak unto you by similitudes,[Gr.in similitudes,i.e.by hidden manners of speaking,as of a woman which is in travaile ver.21.and other wife]but shall declare unto you openly,[that is,plainly wit clear words] of the Father.[that is ,of that which the Kingdom of God,and of the great works of God,as after his resurrection he did himself,and after this ascension by his holy Spirit,Acts.1.3 and 2.11.]

26. In that day [Namely,after the receiving of tho holy Ghost]ye shall pray unto my name,and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father unto you.[That is,I will not onely comfort you therewith,that I will pray the Father for you:which notwithstanding I shall doe also,Rom.8.34.1 John 2:1.]

27. For the father himself loveth you,seeing ye have loved me,[This must not so be understood that the Apostles love to Christ should be a cause which should merit the Fathers love unto them,seeing the love of God is a cause why we love God and Christ,1 John 4:19.but that this their love to Christ is a fruit and evidence of the love which the Father beareth unto them.See Luke 7:47.] and have believed that I came forth from God.[that is,not only begotten of the Father,but also by him sent into the world,to accomplish the work of Salvation.]

28. I came forth from the Father,and am come into the world:again I leave the world [that is,shall shortly leave it,namely,according to my bodily presence.For according to his Godhead, he abideth alwaies with us,Mat.28.20.] and go my way to the Father.

29. His disciples said unto him,behold,now speakest thou plainly,and saist no similitude.

30. Now we know that thou knowest all things,[Namely,seeing by thy omniscience thou presentest our thoughts with thine answer,when we would have asked thee,v.19.] and thou needest not that any one should ask thee.For thhis [Gr.herein,i.e.hereby] we believe that thou art come forth from God.

31. Jesus answered them,do ye now believe?[That is,say ye that ye so firmly believe?]

32. Behold the hour cometh,and is now come,but ye shall be scattered [Namely,fleeing from me hither and thither] every one unto his (own:) [Gr.into his own,namely,place,or house] and ye shall leave me alone.And (notwithstanding) I am not alone,for the Father is with me.

33. These things have I spoken unto you,that in me [That is,trusting in me or by me] ye may have peace:[that is,quietness of your mind,notwithstanding all the troubles that shall come upon you] in the World ye shall have persecution:but be of good cheer,I have overcome [namely,not only for my self,John 14:30.but also for you,seeing ye are by faith united unto me] the world.[that is,whatsoever in the world might be opposite to your Salvation.]