John 16
World English Bible
WEB1“I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. 3They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me. 4But I have told you these things so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; 9about sin, because they don’t believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more; 11about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged. 12“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. 14He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and will declare it to you. 15All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you. 16“A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.” 17Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?” 18They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.” 19Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. 22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. 25“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, 27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” 29His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech. 30Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
John Chapter 16 is a profound continuation of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, where He prepares them for the challenges they will face after His departure. Jesus begins by warning them that they will encounter persecution and hardship, stating that the world will hate them because they are not of the world, just as it hated Him. He emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in their faith, assuring them that these trials are part of God's plan and that they should not be discouraged. This chapter highlights the theme of the #HolySpirit, who will come to guide, comfort, and convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Jesus promises that the Spirit will remind them of His teachings and lead them into all truth, reinforcing the idea that they will not be left alone in their mission.
Jesus also speaks of His impending departure, using the metaphor of a woman in labor to illustrate the pain they will experience, but He assures them that their sorrow will turn to joy when they see Him again. He encourages them to ask in His name, promising that their joy will be complete. The chapter concludes with Jesus declaring that He has overcome the world, providing a powerful reminder of His victory over sin and death, and encouraging His followers to take heart amidst their struggles. This chapter serves as a source of hope and strength for believers, emphasizing the ongoing presence and work of the #HolySpirit in their lives.
Referenced by
- Isaiah 30:21v13Isaiah 30:21 promises guidance from God, akin to John 16:13 where the Spirit of truth guides believers into all truth.
- 1 Corinthians 2:10v131 Corinthians 2:10 speaks of the Spirit revealing the deep things of God, which aligns with John 16:13 where Jesus promises that the Spirit of truth will guide believers into all truth.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3v331 Thessalonians 3:3 speaks of afflictions as part of the Christian experience. John 16:33 records Jesus' words about tribulation in the world, offering peace and assurance of His victory.
- 1 John 4:4v331 John 4:4 emphasizes that believers have overcome the world because the One in them is greater than the one in the world, echoing Jesus' assurance in John 16:33 that He has overcome the world.
- 1 John 5:4v331 John 5:4 speaks of the victory that overcomes the world, which is our faith. This is connected to John 16:33 where Jesus tells His disciples that He has overcome the world, providing peace and encouragement.
Topics in this chapter
- Holy Spirit
- Peace
- Joy
- Victory
- Guidance in the Bible
- Overcome
- Truth
- Prayer
- Comforter
- Resurrection
- Faith
- Hope
- The Name of Jesus
- Transformation
- Victory in Christ
- Comfort
- Conviction
- Jerusalem
- Jesus
- Overcoming
- Persecution
- Sorrow
- Suffering
- Access to God
- Advocate
- Assurance
- Christian Doctrine
- Christian Literature
- Christian Music
- Confidence
- Disciples
- Discipleship
- Eirene (Peace)
- Enemy
- Eternal Life
- Faith and Hope
- Followers of Christ
- Fulfillment
- Grief
- Guide to Biblical Topics
- Hope in Christ
- In Jesus' Name
- Intercession
- Messiah
- Paraclete
- Parakletos
- Perseverance
- Preparation
- Promise
- Relationship
- Revelation
- Shalom
- Sorrow to Joy
- Spirit of Truth
- Spiritual Growth
- Teacher
- Temple
- The Last Supper
- Trinity
Related chapters
- John 14ParakletosSpirit of TruthChristian Doctrine
- 1 John 5OvercomeOvercomingTrinity
- Romans 8OvercomingConfidenceAssurance
- Acts 2Resurrection
- John 15OvercomeDisciplesChristian Music
- Psalms 30ComfortResurrection
- 1 John 4Spirit of TruthOvercomingVictory in Christ
- Acts 1DisciplesResurrection
- Matthew 28Followers of ChristVictory in ChristDisciples
- Philippians 4ShalomAssurance
- 1 Peter 1Christian MusicPersecutionResurrection
- Luke 10TeacherDisciplesPersecution
Your study
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