John 16 - NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible
16:1 All this. See 15:18–27. so that. Introduces why Jesus forewarns his followers about persecution (see note on 15:18–19). fall away. Cf. 1 John 2:19.
16:2 put you out of the synagogue. Cf. 9:22; 12:42. think they are offering a service to God. For example, Saul/Paul (Acts 8:1–3; 26:9–11; Gal 1:13–14; 1 Tim 1:13).
16:4 so that. See note on v. 1.
16:5 None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Peter asked this question in 13:36 (cf. 14:5), so Jesus may be saying, “None of you right now are asking me . . .” Further, Peter’s concern was with what would happen to them, not with where Jesus was going; the implied question behind 13:36 seems to be, “Why are you leaving us?”
16:6 filled with grief. Because Jesus announced that he is leaving.
16:7 It is better to live after Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation than it is to live during his earthly ministry (see 14:12 and note). The Spirit continues Jesus’ ministry worldwide in the age of the new covenant, which the OT anticipates (e.g., Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2). Advocate. See note on 14:16. I will send. See note on 14:16.
16:8 prove . . . to be in the wrong. Expose and convict of personal guilt in a way that results in shame and calls for repentance. world. See notes on 1:9,29; 3:16. sin and righteousness and judgment. Most likely what the world is guilty of (explained in vv. 9–11; see notes there).
16:9 sin. See note on 9:41; cf. 3:19–21; 8:34. People who believe in Jesus believe what he says about their guilt and turn to him. That is, the Spirit’s convicting work graciously helps the world recognize that they are sinners and need a Savior. Through this process they turn to believe in Jesus and thus stop being “the world.”
16:10 righteousness. Some hold that this refers to God’s righteousness, or even to justification, but these readings do not easily explain why the world is convicted of righteousness. More plausibly, the world is convicted of its righteousness, which is entirely false (e.g., displayed by the self-righteousness of many of the Jewish religious leaders throughout John’s Gospel).
16:11 judgment. Most plausibly the world’s false judging (see 7:24 and note), especially about who Jesus is; less plausibly Satan’s defeat (v. 11b) or the condemnation the world is under (3:17–18; 5:24–25), for it is hard to see how the world is convicted of these things. prince of this world. See note on 12:31.
16:13 Spirit of truth. See note on 14:17. guide you into all the truth. The Spirit will lead the disciples into all the implications of the truth intrinsically bound up with Jesus (see 14:26 and note). not speak on his own . . . only what he hears. Just as Jesus never spoke or acted on his own initiative but said and did exactly what the Father gave him to say and do (see 5:19,20 and notes); explained in vv. 14–15. what is yet to come. Probably the consequences of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, exaltation, and future coming that the NT presents and preserves.
16:14 He will glorify me. Just as Jesus glorifies the Father (17:4). make known. The Spirit discloses Jesus’ person and work.
16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. Cf. 17:10.
16:16 In a little while you will see me no more. When Jesus dies (7:33; 13:33). after a little while you will see me. When Jesus rises from the dead.
16:16–33 The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy. Jesus now unpacks his impending departure, less in terms of the Spirit who will replace him and more in terms of his resurrection and the unbounded joy it will evoke. Yet all of this is couched in fairly hidden language because the disciples have not yet come to terms with Jesus’ death, let alone his resurrection.
16:17–19 The disciples still have no category to allow them to make sense of a Messiah who would die and rise from the dead (cf. Introduction: Characteristics and Themes, 7).
16:20 weep and mourn. When Jesus is dead. world. See notes on 1:9,29; 3:16. rejoices. Because they killed Jesus. turn to joy. When Jesus rises from the dead (20:20).
16:21 Illustrates the dramatic change from grief to joy in vv. 20,22 (cf. Isa 26:16–21; 66:7–14; Hos 13:13–14).
16:22 I will see you again. When Jesus rises from the dead.
16:23 that day. The last days, the end of the age (e.g., Acts 2:18; 2 Tim 1:12,18). Jesus refers to the period after his resurrection as the end of history (cf. 1 John 2:18). no longer ask me. Either (1) they will instead ask the Father in Jesus’ name or (2) they will no longer ask Jesus for information about his death, which would be unnecessary after the resurrection. whatever you ask in my name. See note on 14:13.
16:24 Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Cf. 15:7,11.
16:25 figuratively. Enigmatically, cryptically. a time is coming. After the resurrection (Luke 24:27; Acts 1:3).
16:26 that day. See note on v. 23. in my name. See note on 14:13. I am not saying that I will ask. Does not contradict Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1 John 2:1. Those passages focus on Jesus’ mediatorial role in the plan of redemption: he is the basis on which God accepts Christians. Jesus does not mechanically convey a Christian’s prayers to the Father, as if by so doing he restricts a Christian’s access to the Father; rather, his role is to provide his disciples with ready access to the Father.
16:26–27 In light of vv. 23–24, Jesus assures his followers that they are not distanced from the Father.
16:28 Summarizes Jesus’ earthly mission as the Father’s envoy. Like God and his word in Isa 55:11, the Father sends Jesus the Word (see 1:1 and note), Jesus accomplishes the Father’s purpose, and Jesus returns to the Father. entered the world. Cf. 1:14.
16:29–30 Jesus’ followers do not understand that Jesus will speak “plainly” after the resurrection (see v. 25 and note). Misunderstanding is even more pathetic when people think it no longer exists (cf. Introduction: Characteristics and Themes, 7).
16:32 scattered. Cf. Zech 13:7, quoted in Matt 26:31. alone . . . not alone. Contrasts Jesus’ fickle followers with his faithful Father.
16:33 these things. See 13:31—16:32. so that. Introduces the purpose of Jesus’ farewell discourse. peace. See note on 14:27. trouble. Distress and persecution. overcome. Conquered. Anticipates Jesus’ death and resurrection, which made the world’s opposition pointless and beggarly because Jesus won the decisive victory and will triumph in the end.
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