John 16

In John 16, Jesus continues His farewell discourse to the disciples, preparing them for the trials they will face after His departure. He warns of persecution, promises the coming of the Holy Spirit as their Comforter and Helper, and speaks of the joy that will follow their sorrow. Jesus also encourages them to have peace in Him, even as they face tribulations in the world. This chapter emphasizes the disciples' need for strength, hope, and faith as they carry on His mission.

John 16:1-4 (NKJV)
1 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.”

Jesus warns His disciples of the persecution they will face to prevent them from losing faith. He explains that some people will believe they are serving God by persecuting them, showing the depth of misunderstanding about God’s true nature. Jesus mentions these trials now because His physical presence, which previously protected them, is about to end. His forewarning serves to strengthen their faith, reassuring them that He understands what is coming and that they are not alone.

John 16:5-7 (NKJV)
5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

Jesus acknowledges the sorrow the disciples feel at His departure but assures them that it is ultimately for their benefit. His return to the Father will allow the Holy Spirit, the Helper, to come to them. The Spirit’s presence will provide them with guidance, comfort, and power beyond what they experienced with Jesus physically present. This promise gives them hope, as the Holy Spirit will empower them to continue His work.

John 16:8-11 (NKJV)
8 “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;
11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

The Holy Spirit’s role includes convicting the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. He will reveal the sin of unbelief in Jesus, demonstrate true righteousness through Jesus’ ascension, and confirm that judgment has come upon Satan, the ruler of this world. Through this conviction, the Spirit works to bring people to repentance and faith, helping them recognize their need for salvation and the reality of God’s righteousness and justice.

John 16:12-15 (NKJV)
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

Jesus explains that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will reveal further teachings the disciples are not yet ready to understand. The Spirit will continue Jesus’ work by disclosing divine truth and future events, leading the disciples into a deeper understanding of God’s will. The Spirit’s purpose is to glorify Jesus by conveying His message, and in doing so, the Spirit strengthens the disciples' relationship with both the Son and the Father.

John 16:16-22 (NKJV)
16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”
17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?”
18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”
19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’?
20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”

Jesus speaks of His imminent death and resurrection, which will bring sorrow to the disciples while the world rejoices. However, He assures them that their grief will turn to joy when they see Him again after His resurrection. Using the analogy of a woman in labor, Jesus describes how temporary suffering gives way to lasting joy. This promise of unshakeable joy reassures the disciples of the hope and renewal that will come despite the pain they will soon experience.

John 16:23-28 (NKJV)
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

Jesus encourages the disciples to ask the Father in His name, promising that their prayers will be answered and their joy will be complete. The disciples’ relationship with the Father is secure because of their faith in Jesus. Through His mediation, they are granted direct access to the Father, who loves them personally. Jesus clarifies that He came from the Father and will return to Him, emphasizing the divine origin and purpose of His mission.

John 16:29-33 (NKJV)
29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!
30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

The disciples affirm their belief in Jesus, recognizing His divine knowledge. Jesus, however, foresees their impending scattering and abandonment during His arrest, though He knows the Father will remain with Him. He concludes with a message of peace and courage, reminding them that, though they will face tribulations, He has already overcome the world. This victory offers them assurance and strength to endure whatever challenges lie ahead.