John 16 - NIV Study Bible

16:2 put you out of the synagogue. See note on 9:22. a service to God. Religious people have often persecuted others in the strong conviction that they were doing God’s will (Ac 26:9–11; Gal 1:13–14).

16:3 the Father. See note on 5:17. or me. Again the Father and the Son are linked. Not to know Christ is to be ignorant of the Father (see 14:7,10–11; 17:6–7,22–23,26 and notes).

16:5 None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ This question was not being asked at this time. Peter had asked such a question earlier (13:36) but quickly turned his attention to another subject. His concern had been with what would happen to himself and the others and not with where Jesus was going. Also now is the time to be asking this question.

16:6 you are filled with grief. Because of his announced departure.

16:7 Unless I go away. Jesus did not say why the Spirit would not come until he went away but clearly taught that his saving work on the cross was necessary before the sending of the Spirit. Advocate. See note on 14:16. I will send him. See note on 14:26.

16:8 he will prove the world to be in the wrong. The work the Spirit does in the world; the NT normally speaks of his work in believers.

16:9 about sin. Apart from the Spirit’s convicting work, people can never see themselves as sinners. because people do not believe. May mean that their sin is their failure to believe or that their unbelief is a classic example of sin. John may have had both of these in mind.

16:10 about righteousness. The righteousness brought about by Christ’s sacrificial death (see Ro 1:17; 3:21–24 and notes). because I am going to the Father. The ascension, which as part of Christ’s exaltation placed God’s seal of approval on Christ’s redemptive act.

16:11 about judgment. Jesus was speaking of the defeat of Satan, which was a form of judgment, not simply a victory. More than power is in question. God acts with justice. because the prince of this world now stands condemned. See note on 12:31.

16:12 more than you can now bear. This may mean “more than you can understand now,” or “more than you can perform without the Spirit’s help” (to live out Christ’s teaching requires the enabling presence of the Spirit).

16:13 Spirit of truth. See note on 14:17. He will not speak on his own. Just as the Son is wholly devoted to doing the will of the Father, so the Spirit accomplishes the will of the Father and the Son. what is yet to come. Probably means the whole Christian way or revelation (presented and preserved in the apostolic writings), still future at the time Jesus spoke.

16:14 glorify me. See note on 1:14. The Spirit draws no attention to himself but promotes the glory of Christ.

16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. Cf. 17:10. The three persons of the Trinity are closely related.

16:16 a little while . . . a little while. Few doubt that the first phrase refers to the interval before the crucifixion. But interpretations differ as to whether the second refers to the interval preceding the resurrection (Heb 2:9) or the second coming of Christ (Heb 10:37). It seems that the language here best fits the resurrection (see v. 22 and note).

16:17 going to the Father. See v. 10 and note. Jesus had not linked this with “a little while,” but here the apostles saw them as connected.

16:20 weep. The same verb for loud wailing as in 11:33 (see note there), which carries the idea of deep sorrow and its outward expression.

16:21 A woman giving birth. The experience of giving birth, which involves both pain and joy, illustrates the disciples’ anticipation of Jesus’ coming absence but future presence (cf. Isa 26:17–19; 66:7–14; Hos 13:13–14).

16:22 I will see you again. As in v. 16, probably a reference to Jesus’ appearances after his resurrection. no one will take away your joy. The resurrection would change things permanently, bringing a joy that cannot be removed by the world’s assaults (see note on 15:11).

16:23 you will no longer ask me anything. Either because asking for information (rather than asking in prayer) would not be necessary after the resurrection or because after his death and resurrection they were to go directly to the Father with their requests, praying in his (Christ’s) name (see vv. 24,26–27 and notes). name. See notes on 2:23; 14:13.

16:24 Until now. Previously they had asked the Father or Christ, but they had not asked the Father in Christ’s name. your joy. See note on 15:11.

16:25 I have been speaking figuratively. Throughout the discourse, not just in the immediately preceding words. a time is coming. After the resurrection.

16:26 in my name. See notes on 2:23; 14:13. I am not saying that I will ask. Not a contradiction of Ro 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1Jn 2:1 (see notes there). Those passages mean that Christ’s presence in heaven as the crucified and risen Lord is itself an intercession. Here the teaching is that there will be no need for him to make petitions in our behalf.

16:27 the Father himself loves you. Christ is explaining why the disciples can come directly to the Father in prayer: They have loved and trusted in Jesus, and in love God will hear their requests in Jesus’ name.

16:29 without figures of speech. See v. 25 and note.

16:30 do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. Perhaps because they needed no further proof of Jesus’ claim to come from God. believe that you came from God. Two recurring themes of this Gospel: believing (see note on 1:7) and Jesus’ coming from God (see notes on 4:34; 17:3,8).

16:32 you will be scattered. The disciples had faith, but not enough to stand firm in the face of disaster. Jesus knew they would fail (see Mt 26:31 and note; cf. Zec 13:7 and note); however, his church is not built on people’s strength but on God’s ability to use people even after they have failed.

16:33 Notice the contrasts: between “in me” and “in this world” (see note on 1:9) and between “peace” and “trouble.” I have overcome. Just before his death Jesus affirms his final victory.