John 16 - King James Version Bible Commentary

Jn 16:1. These things. Christ had forewarned the disciples about the hatred they would encounter in the world.

Jn 16:2-3. The hatred would be so strong that eventually they would be excommunicated from the synagogue. This meant isolation from the social life of Israel. It meant loss of employment and rejection by their own families. Doeth God service. They would also be killed in the name of God (Acts 26:9-11). The root cause of this persecution is the world’s rejection of both the Father and the Son.

Jn 16:4. Christ did not want the disciples to be unprepared for the trial of their faith. At the beginning. Since Christ was with them from the beginning, there was no reason to discuss this persecution. Now He is going away (Jn 14), and He wants to prepare them.

Jn 16:5-6. The disciples had not been interested in where Christ was going; they were concerned only about the sorrow that they were experiencing because He was going away.

Jn 16:7. I tell you the truth. He explains the necessity of His departure. If the disciples would understand this truth, they would have reason for triumph and not tragedy. It was necessary for Christ to go so that the Holy Spirit would come (Jn 14:16).

Jn 16:8-9. The work of the Spirit is now described. Reprove (Gr elengcho¯, convict or convince). The ministry of the Holy Spirit is a convicting and convincing ministry. He will convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Spirit, through the Word of God and preaching, convicts men of their sin.

Jn 16:10. Of righteousness. Although the world would reject the work of the Righteous One, the Father would accept it (I go to my Father). God’s Spirit would convict men of true righteousness.

Jn 16:11. Of judgment. Satan, the prince of this world, had already been judged (Gen 3:15). The final judgment would come. The Spirit will convict men of this final judgment.

Jn 16:12. After describing the Spirit’s work in the world, Christ now elaborates on the Spirit’s work with regard to the disciples. The disciples were not ready spiritually to accept all that Christ wanted to tell them.

Jn 16:13. All truth. The Spirit would guide (lead) them into a complete knowledge of all truth. What the Spirit hears, He will speak. This indicates the close relationship of the Trinity. Things to come. The book of Revelation is an example of this.

Jn 16:14-15. The Spirit will glorify Christ. Again, the close unity of the Trinity is implied.

Jn 16:16. A little while. Very soon Christ would go away, but He promised them that a little while and they would see Him. This refers to both facts: that the Holy Spirit would reveal Christ to them, and that Christ would return again (Jn 14:3). All this was possible because Christ was returning to the Father.

Jn 16:17-18. The disciples are confused by this statement, a little while.

Jn 16:19-20. Christ explains. The disciples would weep at the death of Christ, but the world would rejoice, thinking that they were finished with Christ. However, the sorrow of the disciples would be turned to joy through the resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the return of Christ.

Jn 16:21. Using as an example the pain of childbirth and the joythat follows, Christ illustrates the future experience of the disciples at the death and resurrection of their Master.

Jn 16:22. I will see you again. This refers to both the resurrection and the advent of the Spirit. The permanent indwelling of the Spirit would produce a permanent joy.

Jn 16:23. The day would come when it would be impossible for the disciples to personally ask Christ for things. However, if they requested the Father in Christ’s name, he will give it you. Since Christ has returned to the Father, the prayers of Christians must be made to the Father in the name of the Son.

Jn 16:24. Until then, prayer had been made directly to God. Now they were to pray in the merits of the finished work of Christ. Note the order: ask, … receive, … joy may be full.

Jn 16:25. Proverbs (Gr paromoids, veiled sayings). Christ had not spoken openly because the disciples would not understand. However, when the Spirit came, Christ would reveal the Father plainly. This occurred through the inspiration and writing of the epistles.

Jn 16:26-27. Prayer made in Christ’s name was not so that Christ could somehow convince the Father to answer the prayers. The Father will answer prayer because of His love for the disciples.

Jn 16:28. Here is the entire purpose of Christ. His eternity, His humiliation, and His exaltation are all implied in this verse.

Jn 16:29-30. The disciples now realize that Christ is speaking to them openly. They realize that Christ knows all things, and would reveal them without the disciples asking questions. Their conclusion is faith, that Christ came forth from God.

Jn 16:31-32. Thrilled with these revelations, the disciples are quickly reminded that soon they would scatter at the arrest of their Master. Christ would be alone, and yet in that hour the Father is with me.

Jn 16:33. Note the origin of in me … peace. They had peace in Christ, but in the world they would have tribulation. Be of good cheer (be courageous). Even though they would be opposed by the world, they should remember that Christ had overcome the world.