John 16

King James Version

Full text for John Chapter 16

1¶ ‹These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.›

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.›

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 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.›

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.›

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.›

17Then 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?

18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

19Now 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?›

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.›

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.›

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.›

28¶ ‹I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.›

29His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30Now 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.

31Jesus 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.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus warns His disciples of impending persecution, explaining that His departure is necessary for the Comforter to come and guide them. He assures them that their present sorrow will turn into lasting joy upon His return, and encourages them to ask the Father in His name. Finally, Jesus declares that despite worldly tribulation, they can find peace in Him, for He has overcome the world.

Medium Summary

In John 16, Jesus prepares His disciples for future tribulation, including excommunication and martyrdom, explaining that these persecutions stem from the world's ignorance of God and Himself. He reveals that His departure to the Father is expedient, as it will enable the coming of the Comforter, the Spirit of truth. This Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and will guide the disciples into all truth, glorifying Jesus by revealing His teachings. Jesus speaks of a "little while" of separation followed by a reunion, likening their impending sorrow to a woman in travail, which will be transformed into an unassailable joy. He instructs them that in His absence, they are to ask the Father directly in His name, promising that their prayers will be answered. Jesus concludes by foretelling their scattering but assures them of His ultimate victory and their peace in Him amidst worldly tribulation.

Long Summary

Jesus begins by forewarning His disciples of severe persecution, including being cast out of synagogues and even martyred, explaining that these acts will be committed by those who ignorantly believe they are serving God. He clarifies that these predictions are given so they will not be offended when the events occur, remembering His words. Jesus then announces His imminent departure to the Father, noting the disciples' sorrow but emphasizing that His going is expedient. This departure is a prerequisite for the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, to come to them. The Comforter's mission will be threefold: to reprove the world concerning sin, because they do not believe in Jesus; concerning righteousness, because Jesus returns to the Father; and concerning judgment, because the prince of this world is already judged. Jesus states He has many more truths to impart, but the disciples are not yet ready to receive them; the Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth, speaking not of Himself but revealing what He hears and showing things to come, thereby glorifying Jesus. He then speaks cryptically of a "little while" when they will not see Him, and again a "little while" when they will, because He goes to the Father, causing confusion among the disciples. Jesus, perceiving their questions, explains this signifies a period of sorrow, like a woman in childbirth, which will inevitably turn into profound and lasting joy upon His return to them. He promises that in that future day, they will no longer need to ask Him questions directly, but whatsoever they ask the Father in His name, they shall receive, so their joy may be full. Jesus explains that He has spoken in parables but will soon speak plainly of the Father. He assures them of the Father's direct love for them because they have loved Jesus and believed in His divine origin. Jesus plainly declares His journey: He came from the Father into the world, and now leaves the world to return to the Father. The disciples express their newfound understanding and belief in His omniscience and divine origin. Jesus, however, foretells their imminent scattering, leaving Him alone, yet affirms His solitude is not absolute as the Father is with Him. He concludes by stating these teachings are for their peace in Him, acknowledging that tribulation awaits them in the world, but urging them to be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.

Core Concepts

  • Persecution and ForeknowledgeJesus warns His disciples of future persecution, including excommunication and martyrdom, explaining that He reveals these things beforehand so they will not be surprised or stumble when they occur. This suffering arises from the world's ignorance of God and Jesus.
  • The Comforter (Holy Spirit)Jesus explains that His departure is necessary for the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of truth, to come. The Spirit's role is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to guide the disciples into all truth, revealing future events and glorifying Jesus.
  • Sorrow Turned to JoyJesus uses the analogy of a woman in travail to describe the disciples' impending sorrow over His departure, which will be transformed into an unassailable and lasting joy upon His return and their reunion with Him. This joy will be a permanent possession.
  • Prayer in Jesus' NameJesus instructs His disciples that after His departure, they are to ask the Father directly in His name, promising that their prayers will be answered. This new access to the Father ensures their joy will be full.
  • The Father's Love and Jesus' OriginJesus assures the disciples that the Father Himself loves them because they have loved Jesus and believed in His divine origin. He plainly states His journey: coming forth from the Father into the world, and then returning to the Father.
  • Peace Amidst TribulationJesus concludes by offering His disciples peace in Him, acknowledging that they will experience tribulation in the world. He encourages them to be courageous, declaring His ultimate victory over the world.