John 16 - The Moody Bible Commentary

16:1 These things I have spoken to you (see comment on 14:25) picks up the forewarnings about persecution (15:18-21). Without Christ’s warnings, the disciples may not have been kept from stumbling (skandalizo, a failure of faith causing one to discontinue being a disciple; Cf. 6:61).

16:2-3 Two kinds of persecution are predicted: being expelled from the synagogue (Cf. 9:22; 12:42) and being martyred. Perpetrators will reach the height of deception when they kill Christ’s disciples and think that they are offering service to God (cf. Ac 7:58-60). Such persecutions (These things, v. 3) arise from an ignorance of both the Father and the Son.

16:4-5 The coming time of persecution (v. 2) is now called their [the persecutors’] hour. The term implies the illusion of victory the persecutors will have over the disciples and is set in irony to Jesus’ “hour” (see comments on 2:4 and 4:21), the ultimate victory of the cross. At the beginning of His ministry, the Lord was personally with His disciples and received the brunt of maltreatment. After His death and resurrection, Jesus was going to the Father (v. 5) and would no longer be on earth to help. None of you asks Me forms an apparent contradiction with 13:36 and 14:5, but there the questions of Peter and Thomas were superficial and not pursued.

16:6-7 Sorrow had filled the heart of Jesus’ disciples over His departure. But His departure would be to their advantage (v. 7). The advantage may include: (1) without His departure, there is no death of Christ to cover sin; (2) the omnipresent ministry of the Spirit will be greater than the bodily presence of Christ; or (3) Christ’s departure will usher in the ministries of the Spirit (worldwide mission, baptism of the Spirit, etc.) and result in a fully spiritual experience (Cf. 7:37-39).

16:8-11 When the Spirit comes He will reside in believers. His ministry to convict [expose and prove wrong] the world will be mediated through them (Mt 5:13-14) and the NT Scriptures. The Spirit proves the world wrong concerning: (1) sin (v. 9). The Spirit will expose the world’s guilt both for putting Jesus to death and for sin in general. This is necessary because they do not believe in Me. Unbelief is the primary sin of the world, and leads to all other sin; (2) righteousness (v. 10). The death and resurrection of Christ (because I go to the Father) proves the Savior’s righteousness and establishes the world’s false “religious” righteousness; (3) judgment (v. 11). On the cross the ruler of this world has been judged (see comment on 12:31). If the world’s ruler has been judged, the world is also implicated in judgment.

16:12-13 Although Jesus desired to say many more things to the disciples, He refrained from revealing truths they could not bear or understand before the gift of the Spirit. The Spirit is subordinate to the Son as the Son is to the Father. So the Spirit will not speak on His own initiative. He speaks only what He hears from Christ (v. 13). The Spirit will disclose to the apostles what is to come. This could refer to prophecy (e.g., Christ reveals the book of Revelation; Rv 1:1) or to all NT truth.

16:14-15 The Spirit will always glorify the Son, not Himself. Ministries that overemphasize the Spirit more than Christ are inappropriate. The Spirit will also take the truth that belongs to Jesus and disclose it to the disciples. The three persons of the Trinity share truth equally. So, all things that the Father has belong to Christ (v. 15), and the Spirit takes from Christ and imparts truth to us through the apostles’ writings (Cf. 17:10).

16:16 In vv. 7-15, He taught that the Spirit would be their Advocate during His absence. Now in vv. 16-24, Jesus returned to the subject of the sorrow the disciples would have when He was gone (vv. 5-6). It was within hours (a little while; 13:33; 14:19) that Christ would die and the apostles would no longer see Him. Then again a little while, and they would see Jesus—a reference to the resurrection, not the second coming.

16:17-18 Some of His disciples were confused about His remark (v. 16) that in a little while they would not see Him, but then again a little while they would see Him. They were also puzzled about His earlier statement that He was soon to go to the Father (v. 10; Cf. 14:2-3, 28). So they were saying (v. 18) suggests a private discussion ensued and that Jesus’ teachings on that night were not an uninterrupted sermon.

16:19-20 Jesus knew hints at the Lord’s supernatural knowledge (2:24-25; 13:1, 11; 19:28) as is implied in the rhetorical question that follows, Are you deliberating together about this … ? In v. 20, Jesus answered His own question. Truly, truly (see comment on 1:51) introduced a seriousness in Jesus’ announcement. In drastic contrast to the disciples’ coming sorrow over Jesus’ upcoming crucifixion (v. 20), the world will rejoice with a sinful joy. This corrupt joy reveals the depravity of the human heart. But the grief of the Eleven will be short-lived and will be turned into long-lasting joy by the resurrection.

16:21-22 A short parable that the Lord gave illustrated the emotional changes that would come to the disciples. The OT pictured the age that leads to the Messiah (both first and second coming) as the pain of a woman who is in labor. The words her hour has come parallel Jesus’ statements about His “hour” (2:4; 13:1). Like a woman’s joy when her child has been born, the disciples’ heart[s] will rejoice at Messiah’s resurrection (v. 22). That no one will take your joy away points to the indisputable evidence that will confirm the Lord’s resurrection.

16:23-24 In that day you will not question Me looks to the time after the resurrection when Jesus’ death will be understood. For ask the Father for anything in My name, see the comment on 14:13. Until now (v. 24) designates the NT era when believers pray in Jesus’ name. Prayer is not restricted to praise or thanksgiving. Jesus repeatedly taught that believers can ask and they will receive (cf. Mt 7:7-8). Answered prayer results in joy being made full.

16:25-28 Coherent prayers could not be offered in Jesus’ name (v. 24) if the disciples lacked understanding. Jesus had been speaking in figurative language (e.g., the woman in labor, v. 22; the vine and branches, 15:1-8). However, after the resurrection (an hour is coming), He would tell them plainly of the Father (cf. Lk 24:27; Ac 1:3). For the sixth time that evening (v. 26), Jesus taught the disciples to ask in My name (Jn 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24, 26; see the comment on 14:13). Jesus did not need to request of the Father on the disciples’ behalf. The Father was already well disposed toward them (v. 26; the Father Himself loves you). God loves everyone (3:16). But here the Father’s love is dependent on the believer’s love for Him (because you have loved Me). This expresses the deeper intimacy that the Father has with obedient believers (see comment on 14:21-22). Just as our love for our enemies (Mt 5:44) will differ from our love for an obedient child, so the Father has a special love for the believer. Jesus summarized His entire mission (v. 28) by describing His divine origin (I came forth from the Father), His incarnation (and have come into the world), His death and resurrection (I am leaving the world again), and His ascension (and going to the Father).

16:29-30 Jesus spoke of a future day when His words would become clear (v. 25). How little the disciples truly understood will be exposed in the coming hours when they would all fall away (v. 31; Mk 14:27, 50). Yet they claimed, Lo [behold, look], now you are speaking plainly … Now we know … we believe that You came from God (v. 30). The disciples thought the time for clear understanding had just begun, and they confessed their “confident” faith in Jesus’ heavenly origin. But their faith was soon to be shaken. Jesus needed to confront their overconfidence.

16:31-33 Christ recognized the disciples’ self-assurance in His question Do you now believe? Instead of their acting in faith (v. 32), He predicted that they would all be scattered in fear (cf. Zch 13:7; Mt 26:31) and would leave Him alone to be arrested and crucified without human support. Only the Father would be with Him. Jesus’ words that evening (in Me you may have peace, v. 33) would lead the disciples to peace when they returned to abiding in Him (Jn 15:1-11). This peace will be possible despite future tribulation. Christ’s promise I have overcome the world will lead the disciples to take courage. The final words of Jesus to His disciples end on a note of victory (cf. Rm 8:37-38; 1Co 15:54-57).