John 16 - NIV First Century Study Bible

16:1–33 The Spirit and an uncertain future. This is an extended warning about the future, a time when the Spirit of truth will judge and the truth about Jesus will be made known, bringing grief and joy. John’s Gospel regularly aims to speak to the generations following the first disciples.

16:21 Birth imagery. The language echoes Jesus’ eschatological warnings in the Synoptic Gospels (see Mt 24:8; see also notes on Mt 24; Mk 13).

16:33 I have overcome the world. “Overcome” literally means “conquered.” Victory images are important in the New Testament (see 1Co 15:57; Rev 5:5; 6:2; 17:14). In the Byzantine era, Christian crosses were often adorned with the Roman wreath of victory.