John 16 - New Spirit-Filled Life Bible

16:7 The loss of the bodily presence of Jesus will be more than compensated by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

16:8–11 See section 6 of Truth-In-Action at the end of John.

16:8–11 The ministry of the Spirit to unbelievers is that of conviction. Specifically, He uses their unbelief to prove the gravity of sin (v. 9), the triumphant work of Christ to prove the availability of righteousness (v. 10), and the defeat of Satan to prove the solemn certainty of judgment (v. 11).

16:12–15 See section 6 of Truth-In-Action at the end of John.

16:12, 13 Earlier, Jesus promised the apostles that the Spirit would remind them of His teachings (14:26). Now He promises them that the Spirit will guide them into further truth, which they could not bear at that time. Both promises were fulfilled in the writing of the NT. The Holy Spirit also fulfills that work in granting believers today an understanding of that truth (see 1 Cor. 2:14, 15; Eph. 1:17, 18).

16:14 The Spirit’s ministry is not only directed to believers and to the world, but also to Christ. What the Spirit teaches He draws from and conveys in the authority of Christ, and glorifies Christ in all that He does. True ministry in the Holy Spirit never serves a private agenda. Rather, working in us and through us, He never exalts Himself, but He continually glorifies Christ who glorifies the Father.

16:16 The first little while speaks of the remaining hours before the Crucifixion, while the second reference is to the coming of the Holy Spirit, which afforded a more intimate fellowship with Christ than an earthly acquaintance (see 14:18; 16:7).

16:20–22 Their temporary grief at the separation caused by His death will be lost in the joy of a spiritual reunion.

16:23–28 The Holy Spirit will increase their knowledge of spiritual things and will enhance their prayer life. See note on Rom. 8:26.

16:24 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of John.

16:33 Even in the midst of persecution there is joyful peace in the certainty of Christ’s victory. See note on Rom. 8:17.