Bible Commentaries
John 16

Verse 1

CHURCH-DISCIPLES WARNED OF PERSECUTION V. 1-6

1) "These things have I spoken unto you," (tauta lelaleka humin) "I have spoken these things directly and personally to you all," as my called and chosen New Covenant house, body, church, or people, Mark 13:34-35; 1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 3:1-6. I have warned you of coming persecution and told you of the help you will have from me, and my Father, and the Comforter,

2) "That ye should not be offended." (hina me skandalisthete) "In order that you all may not stumble or be offended," in me or the work I have chosen you to do, John 15:16; John 15:27. Jesus sought to prepare His followers to be prepared to meet trouble, disappointments, and difficulties, without being so shocked that they would turn back, be discouraged, faint, or cease in their work and witnessing for Him, Hebrews 13:5. Both Peter and Paul also desired to prepare their followers of Him in a like manner later, 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 4:12-14.

Verse 2

1) "They shall put you out of the synagogues:" (aposunagogous poielousin humas) "They will excommunicate or exclude you all from the synagogue," cut you off from synagogue privileges, even to the third degree of permanent exclusion of social, religious, and educational rights, benefits, and privileges, John 9:22; John 12:42; Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9.

2) "Yea, the time cometh," (all’ erchetai hora) "But there comes an hour," a time approaches; For the hate the then ruling religious Jews had for Jesus they also held against His church followers when He was gone, Acts 4:1-3; Acts 7:18; Acts 7:21.

3) "That whosoever killeth you," (hina ’ pas ho apokteimas humas) "That everyone who kills you," or tries to liquidate you all, of the church, Acts 5:40; Acts 6:9-15; Acts 7:57-60; Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-5.

4) "Will think that he doeth God service." (doks latreian prospherein to theo) "Thinks he is offering religious service to God," in killing you, so blind will they be, and so ignorant in their persecution zeal, as those were who stoned Stephen, and as Paul was before his conversion, Romans 8:36. These religious "hit men" were zealous, excitable, sincere, yet children and servants of the Devil, John 8:44; Romans 6:16; 1 John 3:10.

IGNORANT PERSECUTION

One of the most horrid circumstances attending the dreadful massacre of the Protestants under Charles IX of France, was that when the news of this event reached Rome, Pope Gregory XIII instituted the most solemn rejoicing, giving thanks to Almighty God for this glorious victory over the heretics!

Verse 3

1) "And these things will they do unto you," (kai tauta poiesousin) "And these (kind of) things they will do," to or toward you, both as individuals and as my church, which my religious enemies despise, as "despisers of those who are good," 2 Timothy 3:3. This warning was given to His disciples that they might be aware.

2) "Because they have not known," (hoti OUK egnosan "Because they have not recognized," or come to know, because of their willful, covetous. and culpable ignorance, Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 1 Timothy 1:13; Even our Lord prayed for them "Father forgive them they know not what they do," do not recognize the gravity or seriousness of what they do, Luke 23:34.

3) "The Father, nor me." (ton patera oude eme) "Either the Father, or me," nor have they recognized or come to know me, John 7:28; John 8:19; John 8:47. Spiritual ignorance and blindness would be occasion for their enemies to persecute them, John 15:21; Ephesians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

Verse 4

1) "But these things have I told you," (alla tauta lelakleka humin) "But these things I have spoken to you all," regarding my departure, fruit-bearing, the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower you all, my resurrection, trials you are to face, and my coming back to take you to your estate with me and the Father, John 13:1 to John 15:27.

2) "That when the time shall come," (hina hotan elthe he hora auton) "In order that when their hour comes," for all these things I have told you that are before you, and when they occur, as they will, Psalms 119:160; John 14:6.

3) "Ye may know that I told you of them." (mnemoneuete auton hoti ego eipon humin) "You all may remember that I told you of them," that their faith might be confirmed, strengthened, or increase in the trustworthiness of His Word and assurance that their labors were not in vain in Him, Matthew 26:31-32; Matthew 28:6-7; Matthew 28:16-17; Luke 24:44-45.

4) "And these things I said not unto you at the beginning," (tauta de humin eks arches ouk eipon) "However I said these things not to you from the beginning," because He was with them to help, to serve, to comfort and to guide. Then they "could not bear them," He Himself indicated, earlier in His ministry, John 6:66; John 16:12. He also was their personal security and protection while with them, Matthew 9:15.

5) "Because I was with you." (hoti meth’ humon hemen) "Because I was (present) with you all," to love, to care, to guide to the end, John 13:1. True people of God care for their children, their families, and their friends who may be left behind when they are gone. Jesus did; Paul did; Peter did; Jude did; Do I? Acts 20:26-32; 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; 2 Peter 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:12-14; 2 Peter 3:1-2; Judges 1:1-4.

Verse 5

1) "But now I go my way to him that sent me;" (nun de hupago pros ton pempsanta me) "However now and hereafter I am going to the one who sent," back to my Father’s residence and estate from which I came down, 2 Corinthians 8:9; John 3:16-17; John 20:21; Galatians 4:4-5. He had now discharged His Father’s will and work, John 17:4.

2) "And none of you asketh me;" (kai oukeis eks humon erota me) "And not one of you asks me." They asked when they thought He was about to be crowned king, John 14:5; But not after He had more fully explained of His certain coming death.

3) "Whither goest thou?" (pou hupageis) "Where are you going?" He had done so many supernatural miracles before them that they could not afford not to trust His word about His death and the way to life again for Himself and for them, John 14:1-6; John 14:18-20; John 14:29-30. So absorbed were they in their own grief that none asked Him just where He was going.

Verse 6

1) "But because I have said these things unto you," (all’ hoti tauta lelaleka humin) "But because I have spoken these things to you all," at length, John 12:1 to John 15:27; Especially had the sorrow become heavier, since two days before the Passover, when Judas Iscariot took the sop-morsel from Jesus, as He had given sign to John that one who took the sop would be the treacherous traitor; After which Judas stalked out, John 13:21-30.

2) "Sorrow hath filled your heart." (he leupe pepleroken humon ten kardian) "Grief has filled your heart," natural sorrow and grief that had excluded all other thoughts. It should soon turn to joy, as His victorious death, resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Holy Ghost as a paraclete or vice-gerant drew nigh, John 16:21-23; John 16:33; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Let it be continuously recalled that the cross is the way to the crown, Hebrews 2:9-15; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:10; Galatians 6:14.

It is true:

"I must needs go home by the way of the cross. There’s no, other way but this.

I shall n’er get sight of the gates of light. If the way of the cross I miss."

Verse 7

THREE-FOLD PURPOSE OF SPIRIT TOWARD THE WORLD V. 7-11

1) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth;" (all’ ego ten aletheian lego humin) "But I tell you all the truth," disclose to you all, my true comrads my witnesses. My chosen ones, my church, this because I see and know the end, the whole end, the whole, to your advantage.

2) "It is expedient for you that I go away:" (sumpherei humin hina ego apeltho) "It is to your benefit that I should go away," to your advantage, to you my church people, who are to do my work while I am away in my Father’s estate, preparing an estate residence for each of you all, John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:9; John 20:21-22.

3) "For if I go not away," (ean gar me apeltho) "For if I do not go away," as it is in the will of the Father, to my Father, to commune with Him as person-to-person, as I have told you that I would, John 14:1-3; John 14:16-18.

4) "The Comforter will not come unto you;" (ho parakletos ou me elthe pros humas) "The Comforter (paraclete) does not or will not come to you all by any means," unless and until I do go to the Father, John 14:16; John 14:19-21; John 14:25-27.

5) "But if I depart," (ena de poreutho) "Yet if I go away," as I will, as I have told you, again and again.

6) "I will send him unto you." (pempso auton pros humas) "I will send him to you all," in and on behalf of my Father, which He did, Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4. The universal presence of the Holy Spirit, in and through the personal, physical, restricted presence of Christ, would be on earth, as indicated, John 16:8-11, as follows:

Verse 8

1) "And when he is come," (kai elthon ekeinos) "And when that one comes," to work and witness in and through each of you all, as promised, Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8.

2) "He will reprove the world," (elegksei ton kosmon peri hamartais) "He will reprove, convict, or reprimand the world," the world as opposed to Christ.

a) "Of sin," (peri hamartais) "Concerning sin," or lawlessness, as when Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:36-37; Acts 7:51-54; Acts 9:5; that all are sinners, condemned, and sin has wages that must be paid by someone, Romans 3:19; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 3:18.

b) "And of righteousness," (kai peri dikaiosunes) "And concerning righteousness," Romans 1:17; Romans 10:1-4; What is and what is not righteous, morally, ethically, or doctrinally; and of righteousness that is found in Jesus alone, in and through Jesus only, Isaiah 42:21; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

c) "And of judgment:" (kai peri kriseos) "And concerning judgment," that is certain, no man can escape, whether saved or unsaved, Hebrews 9:27-28; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Revelation 20:13. Sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come are the three facts that the Holy Spirit continually witnesses, even as when Paul preached to Felix, Acts 24:25.

Verse 9

1) "Of sin," (peri hamartias men) "Concerning sin," ones involvement with moral lawlessness, especially the sin of unbelief, the King of all sins, incited by a covetous, carnal nature, John 3:18.

2) "Because they believe not on me." (hoti ou pisteuousin eis eme) "Because they believe or trust not in me," John 1:11-12; John 8:21; John 8:24; John 3:18; John 12:48; Proverbs 1:22-31. New convictions are to be wrought.

This conviction of sin, from the Holy Spirit’s work, brings a conscious sense of 1) guilt, 2) shame, 3) danger, and 4) fear to every responsible sinner, such as came to Adam and Eve in Eden, and has dogged the conscience of responsible men to this day. The conscience, monitor of the soul, is God’s memorex system in every man, through which the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, every lost man, Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 4:7; Hebrews 2:15.

Verse 10

1) "Of righteousness," (peri dikaiosunes de) "Then concerning righteousness," which is in Christ, obtained by faith in me, a righteousness that is given to each of you, through faith in me, such as Abel had, Hebrews 11:4; Philippians 3:9; Romans 3:22; Romans 3:25-26; Romans 10:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21. The resurrection and ascension declared His righteousness.

2) "Because I go to my Father," (hoti pros ton patera hupago) "Because I am going directly to the Father," where I will make advocacy or intercession on behalf of you, as your High Priest intercessor in heaven, continually, Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2.

3) "And ye see me no more;" (kai ouketi theoreite me) "And you all observe or behold me no longer," as you have personally for more than three years, as my called followers, chosen ones, my servants, my friends, my brethren, my bride, John 3:28-29; John 15:16; John 15:27; and my church, Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25.

Verse 11

1) "Of judgment," (peri de kriseos) "Then concerning judgment," for their unbelief, and for their deliberate sins from which all are called to repent, Acts 17:31; Romans 2:24; Revelation 20:12-13; Hebrews 9:27.

2) "Because the prince of this world is judged." (hoti ho archon tou kosmou toutou kekritai) "Because the ruler of this world order has been judged for (because of his anarchy and rebellion against my Father and His universe) and awaits His certain hour of execution, and he and his demon hordes know it, Judges 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 12:12. To cling to this defeated "prince of this world," is like holding to a sinking ship, to a doomed cause.

Verse 12

1) "I have yet many things to say unto you," (eti polla echo humin legein) I still have many things to tell you all," to confide in and to you all, even yet they were, in many ways milk babies, unable to hold up to the Divine standards of righteousness and the fruit of the spirit, to which they were called, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 5:25. Though He had said much, more was yet to be said.

2) "But ye cannot bear them now." (all’ou dunasthe bastazein arti) "But you all are not able to bear them at this moment," therefore they were to be deferred, because of the weakness of the flesh. They were all to deny Him, to flee, after He should eat the Last Passover with them, then institute the Lord’s Supper, and set it as a remembrance of Him till He should come again. But He had not yet prayed the agonizing Gethsemane prayer to the Father, for their keeping, John 17:1-26. The teacher’s instructions must be limited to the capacity of the pupil to bear, understand, embrace, or comprehend it, 2 Timothy 2:1-2; Hebrews 5:12.

Verse 13

1) "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come," (hotan de elthe ekeinos to pneuma tes aletheias) "Then when that one, the Spirit of truth comes," to be your helper, your continual companion when I have gone away, called the Comforter, John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 15:26. The Spirit of truth, in wisdom, points lost men to Jesus, Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 1:31: and saved people to obey and follow the Word of God in ways of truth, Romans 8:14-16; John 14:6.

2) "He will guide you into all truth:" (hodegesei humas eis ten aletheian pasan) "He will lead you all into all truth," to an understanding of what they had, and certain believers and apostles to complete the Bible by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, by steady, gentle, revelation of future truth, 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

3) "For he shall not speak of himself;" (ou gar lalesei aph’ heautou) "For he will not speak from himself," as I did not speak of or from myself, but as taught by the Father, John 8:28-29; Deuteronomy 18:15-19. He shall empower you all and discharge duties of His office, as I have, John 17:4-5.

4) "But whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:" (all’ hosa akouei lalesai) "But he will speak whatever things he hears," and is taught of the Father, as I have, John 8:28. He shall speak what He hears and is directed in holy conference with the Father and the Son, not in His person alone, even as Christ had done, John 14:10.

5) "And he will shew you things to come." (kai ta erchomena apangelei humin) And he will announce to you things that are to come," for the church age, millennia] age, and heaven of heaven age. He not only would show or cause you to understand past prophecy but also disclose to you matters of future certainty, Acts 11:28; Acts 20:22-23; Acts 21:11; 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Peter 1:12-14; Revelation 1:1-10.

Verse 14

1) "He shall glorify me;" (ekeinos eme doksasei) "That one will glorify me:" It is the Spirit’s office work to point to Jesus Christ, not to Himself. For "the testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit (pneuma, meaning breath) of prophecy," Revelation 19:10.

2) "For he shall receive of mine," (hoti ek tou emou lempsetai) "Because he shall receive out of and from mine," all that relates to my person as Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, Lord, Priest, and coming King; For "ye are (exist as) complete in Him," Colossians 2:10.

3) "And shall shew it unto you." (kai anangelei humin) "And he will announce or disclose it to you all," by direction, by suggestion, and by illumination, He helps men to understand their needs, then points them, through the Word, to Jesus Christ who supplies all and every need, 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27; Revelation 3:7-8; Revelation 4:7. Every action of the Spirit empowered church in the early years of Her empowerment attest His glory.

Verse 15

1) "All things that the Father hath are mine:" (panta hosa echei ho pater ema estin) "All things which the Father has, holds, or possesses are (exist as) mine," therefore available through Jesus Christ, within our reach, treasured up in Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

2) "Therefore said I," (dia touto eipon) "On account of this I said," or explained to you all, John 14:26; John 15:26-27.

3) "That he shall take of mine," (hoti ek tou emou lambanei kai apangelei humin) "That he will take things that are mine," take empowering control and direction of my church, through which He shall reveal me, Luke 24:49.

4) "And will shew it unto you." (kai apangelei humin) "And he will announce or disclose it to you all," in repeatedly disclosing my character of holiness, love, mercy, peace, compassion to you all, as I have told you He would, John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:14-18; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27. The Holy Spirit has all the sources of the Godhead to draw upon.

Verse 16

JESUS TELLS OF HIS DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND SECOND COMING V. 16-33

1) "A little while, and ye shall not see me:" (mikron kai ouketi theoreite me) "A little while and you all will no longer observe or behold me," meaning after the next day, in a physical way, as they had through all His earthly ministry to this time, beginning from Galilee, John 15:16; John 15:27; Acts 10:37; Acts 10:39 He spoke of His imminent death.

2) "And again, a little while," (kai palin mikron) "And a little while again," a little (Gk. mikron) or short period of time, three days after His death, which He Himself foretold, John 2:19-20; Matthew 26:61; Matthew 27:40. They were assured that they would see Him, after His resurrection, which they did, some ten times, before He went back to His Father’s estate, Matthew 26:31-32; Matthew 28:7; Matthew 28:10; Matthew 28:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8.

3) "And ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." (kai opsesthe me) "And you will see me," or look upon me, before I go to my Father, and because I am going back to my Father, where I will be preparing a place for you, John 14:1-3; Acts 1:3; John 14:14; Acts 1:8-11; Hebrews 1:3.

Verse 17

1) "Then said some of his disciples among themselves," (eipan oun ek ton metheton autou pros allelous) "Then some of his disciples said to one another," with uncertainty, inquiring in a state of wonder, one of another, just what He had really said or meant by what He had said.

2) "What is this that he saith unto us," (ti estin touto ho legei hemin) "What is the essence or real meaning (of) this which he tells us," of His going away from and coming again to us and His going to the Father. They were benumbed and "dull of understanding," or grasping just what He was disclosing to them, Luke 24:25-27; Luke 24:44-45.

3) "A little while, and ye shall not see me:" (mikron kai theoreite me) "A little while (time) and you all will not see me," for my death and burial is very soon; for the shepherd had to be smitten and the flock scattered, Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31-32.

4) "And again, a little while, and ye shall see me:" (kai palin mikron opsesthe me) "And again, a little while and you will all see me:" They simply did not either understand or believe what He said is evident because of their later actions and talk, Mark 16:11-14.

5) "And because I go to the Father?" (kai hoti hupago pros ton patera) "And because I am going to the Father, what does He mean?" He did go back to the Father and send the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, the Trinity, to be a guide to the church and a helper of every true disciple, forever, John 14:16-17; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4. And He is coming again for His own in a "little while," Hebrews 10:36-37. He went away with outstretched hands, blessing His own, Luke 24:50-51; and Blessed Assurance, Blessed Hope, He is coming "as He went away," Acts 1:10-11; Titus 2:13.

Verse 18

1) "They said therefore," (elegon oun) "Then they said," they chattered one with another, as recounted concerning the Emmaus road disciples, Luke 24:13-17.

2) "What is this that he saith," (touto ti estin ho legei) "Just what is this which, the essence or real meaning of what he says,"

3) "A little while?" (to mikron) "A little while?" (ouk oidamen ti lalei) "We do not perceive, understand, or comprehend what he says." The first "little while" was less than a day, when He was crucified and buried, and the second ’’little while" was when He had risen again; It was and is a little while in comparison with eternity, a little while since He went back to the glory of the Father, to intercede for our sins, and to prepare an heavenly estate for us, Hebrews 7:25; John 14:1-3; A little while for us to do His work, to labor on, a little while till the old ship of Zion shall behold the lights in the harbor of glory and life’s stormy sea will have been crossed, a little while until the landing. Until then let us sail on, and serve on, and on, 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:36-37.

A LITTLE WHILE

"A little while, and ye again shall see me."

Surely Thou tarriest long,

Bridegroom beloved! When shall this night of weeping

Be turned to song?

With heaven so far beyond us.

And earth so near to lure us and beguile,

How long! Oh! Thou didst promise but to tarry

"A little while."

"A little while," the whole creation waits Thee

In hope and fear;

Surely the sound of that swift-driven chariot

At length I hear.

0 earth! earth! earth! arouse thee!

Wake from thy tears, put on thy glory-smile!

Surely He cometh: and He will but tarry

"A little while."

Every Christian should lay down at night with the solemn hope, perhaps tomorrow we will see the lights of home, land on the shore of the Father’s estate. It may be that only our limited vision keeps us from see­ing the opening of the gates of glory just before us, and only our dull hearing prevents us from hearing the bells of joy and the bugle call that now welcomes us to that heavenly land. That death is so near to us, as believers, is too good to be believed, for death is a friend that conducts victoriously into the presence of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8.

Verse 19

1) "Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him," (egno lesous hoti ethelon auton erotan) "Jesus knew that they wished very much to question him," about the saying, for He knows "what is in men," and understands even their thoughts from afar off, John 2:24-25; Psalms 139:1-4; Matthew 9:4; John 21:17. For Jesus was omniscient; that is, He knew all things. They were hesitant to expose their ignorance further, like a pupil who has not listened to a teacher.

2) "And said unto them," (kai eipen autois) "And he spoke directly to them," kindly meeting their difficulty, questioning them, not for information, but to cause them to express their inner feelings, frustrations about what He had said, John 16:16.

3) "Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said," (peri toutou zeteite met’ allelon hoti eipon) "Are you all seeking to find out one with another about this, because I said, "what I said, the meaning of what I told you I am to do, John 16:16-18. They wanted to ask Him but were embarrassed to do so.

4) "A little while, and ye shall not see me:" (mikron kai ou theoreite me) "A little while and you all will not behold me," as also formerly stated, John 14:19. For He expressly sought to prepare them for the fact His death was nigh at hand, John 7:33; John 13:33; John 14:19.

5) "And again, a little while, and ye shall see me?" (kai palin mikron kai opsesthe me) "And again a little while longer and you will all see me;" In His resurrection body, alive forevermore, assuring them of a future resurrection, Romans 5:10; Romans 8:11; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Hebrews 10:36-37.

Verse 20

1) "Verily, verily, I say unto you," (amen, amen, lego humin) "Truly, truly, I tell you all," so that you may be prepared for the shock of the moment, Ephesians 6:10-18.

2) "That ye shall weep and lament," (hoti klausete kai threnesete kumeis) "That you all will weep and lament," at the cruel death you shall see me die, marred and mutilated before your eyes, when you can do nothing to prevent it, Isaiah 52:14; Isaiah 53:4-5; Galatians 3:13; Luke 24:16-20. The term lamentation was usually associated with death, and the dead, as in Jeremiah 21:10.

3) "But the world shall rejoice:" (ho de kosmos charesetai) "Then the world order will rejoice," with a fickle pleasure, which is for but a moment, a joy of worldly kind that fades so soon, 2 Corinthians 4:18; 1 John 2:16-17. The world had its temporary time of rejoicing at the trial and crucifixion of Christ, Matthew 27:39-44.

4) "And ye shall be sorrowful," (humeis lupethesethe) "And you all will be grieved," or sorrow-stricken at my death, my burial, and my absence from you for a little time, as reflected, Luke 24:17; Luke 24:21.

5) "But your sorrow shall be turned into joy." (all’ he lupe humon eis charan genesetai) "But your grief will become (be turned to) joy," as it was at the resurrection, at Pentecost, at the ascension, and is today, John 16:33; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

Verse 21

1) "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow," (he gune hotan tikte lupen echei) "When the woman gives birth she has grief," or sorrow, as decreed from the fall of man, Genesis 3:16. The "woman in travail" is a common Old Testament figure for terror-stricken-anguish, Jeremiah 4:31; Jeremiah 6:24; Psalms 48:6.

2) "Because her hour is come:" (hoti elthen he hora autes) "Because her hour (of delivery) has arrived," for her to bring forth in trembling pain, Isaiah 26:17. It is her critical or appointed time of delivery.

3) "But as soon as she is delivered of the child," (hotan de gennese to paidion) "Then when she gives birth to the child," when delivery is past, the sharp pangs are over.

4) "She remembereth no more the anguish," (ouketi mnemoneuei tes thlipseos) "She no longer remembers the anguish, pain, or distress," of the hour of birth-travail. The comparison is designed only to emphasize the sudden replacement of sorrow with joy in both cases.

5) "For joy that a man is born into the world." (dia ton ten charan hoti egennethe anthropos eis ton kosmon) "Because of the joy that a man was and is born into the world." The idea is that life’s greatest joy comes through sorrow; And the way to heaven’s joy comes through pain and suffering: First through the suffering and accursed death of Jesus Christ, Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; and second, His children’s greatest blessings and joy come through their suffering for His name’s sake, Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:12.

Verse 22

1) "And ye now therefore have sorrow:" (kai humeis oun nun men lupen echete) "And you all therefore (as my church) now indeed have a continuing grief," that He desired to be restrained in them, John 14:1; and sought to calm their fears with assurance of another companion helper that He would send, so that they should not faint or fall out, John 14:16-17; Galatians 6:9.

2) "But I will see you again," (palin de opsomai humas) "Yet, I will see you again," come to see you again, after my resurrection, even before I go back to my Father’s side and residence, as He repeatedly assured them, Matthew 26:31-32; Mark 14:27-28; Mark 16:7.

3) "And your heart shall rejoice," (kai charastai humon he kardia) "And your heart will rejoice," be gladdened, Philippians 4:4.

4) "And your joy no man taketh from you." (kai ten charan humon oudeis airei aph’ humon) "And the joy of you all no one takes away from you," the Divinely implanted joy, 1 Peter 1:8; John 15:11. All turned on the resurrection, without which there is no gospel, and none could be saved, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:14-19; Romans 1:16.

Verse 23

1) "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing," (kai en ekeine te hemera eme ouk arotesete ouden) "And in that day you all will not question me or ask me anything at all," as a servant or a friend, as in the past, John 15:1-27, as a matter of inquiry, as you have in my ministry with you from the beginning; For they would then understand. That is after His resurrection and in this age.

2) "Verily, verily, I say unto you," (amen, amen, lego humin) "Truly, truly, I tell you all," concerning prayer to the Father hereafter, not directly to the Father, as I taught you in the sermon on the mount, without the use of my name, Matthew 6:9.

3) "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name," (an ti aitesete ton patera en to onomati mou) "Whatever (anything) you ask the Father in my name," by prayer, when I have gone away from you; "In my name" means in my behalf, for my glory and honor, not your own, Colossians 3:17. They had not, at this time, approached God through Christ, Acts 4:12.

4) "He will give it you." (doesi humin) "He will grant it or dole it out to you," 1 John 5:14; John 15:16. Jesus simply told them that as a friend and teacher at hand He would soon leave them to return to His Father and theirs, after which they were to pray to the Father in His name, Colossians 3:17.

Verse 24

1) "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:" (heos arti ouk etesate ouken en to onomati mou) "Until now (this time) you all have not asked anything in my name," of the Father, for I have not heretofore taught you to pray in my name, Matthew 6:9; But you are to pray to Him in my name, after my death, and resurrection, and ascension, when I shall have paid for your redemption, Matthew 28:16-20.

2) "Ask, and ye shall receive," (aiteite kai lempsesthe) "You all ask and you will receive," if and when you ask in faith, in my name, and according to His will, James 4:2-3; 1 John 3:22.

3) "That your joy may be full." (hina he chara humon he pepleromene) "In order that your joy may be filled," full, or having been filled, John 15:11; John 16:33. It is emphasized that resurrection joy and spiritual strength and help are available, to be sought in this age by direct, personal prayer to God, the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Verse 25

1) "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs:" (tauta en paroimiais lelaleka humin) "I have spoken these things in allegories or proverbs to you all," concerning going away and coming in a little while, John 16:16-24. In parabolic form, a dark or uncertain form of speech, figurative language, in "riddles," as in John 10:6.

2) "But the time cometh," (erchetai hora) "But an hour of time approaches," of its own nature, in fulfillment of prophecies of my death and resurrection, Psalms 16:10-11; Acts 2:25-31.

3) "When I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs," (hote oukete en paroimiais humin) "When I will no longer speak to you in allegories," in covert, figurative language, to avoid extreme emotional excitement among them, because they could not themselves absorb the plain language that would shock them too badly, regarding His immediate suffering and separation from them, John 16:12.

4) "But I shall shew you plainly of the Father." (alla parresia peri tou patros apangelo humin) "But I will announce to you clearly or plainly concerning the Father," your Father and mine, the Father you asked me to show you, John 14:8-9; John 16:28; John 20:17. In the riddle, parabolic, dark saying language of the past, often they had not understood, John 10:6.

Verse 26

1) "At that day ye shall ask in my name:" (en ekeine te hemera en to onomati mou aitesesthe) "in that day you will ask in my name," after that the Holy Spirit is sent to indwell and empower and anoint you all, as a church people, John 14:16-17; Luke 24:49; Acts 4:12; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27; John 15:16.

2) "And I say not unto you," (kai ou lego humin) "And I tell you not," for it is not even necessary; I do not press the issue that to ask in my name is the only reason your prayers will be answered, for the Father has intense love for you also.

3) "That I will pray the Father for you" (hoti ego eroteso ton patera peri humon) "That I will request the Father concerning you all," for I have already told you this, John 14:16-17; John 16:7. For I will pray to Him who loves both you and Me, and I will advocate or intercede on your behalf, Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2.

Verse 27

1) "For the Father himself loveth you," (autos gar ho pater philei humas) "For the Father himself loves you all," hence you may know that He will respond to your prayers to Me, as I also carry them to Him, John 3:16. He simply assures them and believers today that their prayers will be heard and their need met, Philippians 4:19. Their prayers would be answered on the basis of both His intercession for them and the Father’s love.

2) "Because ye have loved me," (hoti humeis eme pephilekate) "Because you have loved me, as friends," John 14:21; John 14:23. All our prayers and deeds are vain, except and until Jesus approves them to the Father, as being in His name, Colossians 3:17; Acts 4:12.

3) "And have believed that I came out from God." (kai pepisteukate hoti ego para tou theou ekselthon) "And you all have believed that I came forth out of and away from the Father," and am His Son, John 3:16; Galatians 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 3:16.

Verse 28

1) "I came forth from the Father," (ekselthon ek tou patros) I came forth by choice out of and away from the presence of the Father," though He sent me, John 3:17; John 8:29; John 20:21. He did not merely exist at birth but also had His origin from the beginning with God, John 1:1.

2) "And am come into the world;" (kai elelutha eis ton kosmon) "And I have come into the world," to the fallen world order, John 17:5; for a mission, now almost completed.

3) "Again, I leave the world," (palin aphiemi ton kosmon) "Again I go away from or leave the world," in laying down my life, John 10:18.

4) "And go to the Father." (kai poreuomai pros ton patera) "And I go directly to the Father," to His Father and their Father, John 17:11; John 20:17.

Verse 29

1) "His disciples said unto him," (legousin hoi mathetai autou) "The church disciples of him say," directly or openly to Him, with a sense of certain relief.

2) "Lo, now speakest thou plainly," (ide nun en parresia laleis) "Just grasp it, you now speak clearly," or in plain words, plainness so that we know what you are talking about, at length, John 16:25-28.

3) "And speakest no proverb." (kai paroimian oudemian legeis) "And you speak no allegory," no veiled thing or covert thing, as you often have, when we could not bear, or bear up, under the strain of certain things, John 16:12; John 10:6.

Verse 30

1) "Now are we sure that thou knowest all things," (nun oidamen hoti oidas panta) "Now and hereafter we perceive or comprehend that you know all things," or you are knowledgeable of all things, as the Son of God, John 2:24-25; John 21:17. Now in contrast with John 16:19.

2) "And needest not that any man should ask thee:" (kai ou chreian echeis hina tis se erota) "And there is no need that anyone should question you further," as they had done, John 16:18-19, to explain what you mean, Luke 24:44-45.

3) "By this we believe," (en touto pisteuomen) "in this we trust," because you know all things, and have told us plainly, John 21:17; Psalms 139:1-4.

4) "That thou camest forth from God." (hoti apo theo ekselthes) "That you came forth from God," because of what you have told and shown us from the Father, John 14:9; Colossians 1:15. It was an enthusiastic affirmation of their faith in Him, to which He replied.

Verse 31

1) "Jesus answered them,"(apekrithe autois lesous) "Jesus replied directly to them," when they had affirmed their faith in Him, and understanding of what He had said, relating to His death, resurrection, and coming back to receive them, John 14:1-3.

2) "Do ye now believe?" (arti pisteuete) "Do you all now (at this moment) believe or trust?" a word of caution, that they realize what was confronting them, as forewarned, Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:20-21; Proverbs 3:5-6.

Verse 32

1) "Behold, the hour cometh," (idou erchetai hora) "Behold, there comes an hour," a time that is at hand, John 17:1.

2) "Yea, is now come," (kai eleluthen) "And it has arrived," is upon you all. These words were spoken during or shortly after the last Passover our Lord ate with His disciples in the upper room.

3) "That ye shall be scattered, every man to his own," (hina skorpisthete hekastos eis ta idia) "in order that (that will cause) each one of you all to be scattered to his own things," as prophesied, Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31; Matthew 26:56; To be scattered as the hireling deserts his sheep when the wolf approaches, John 10:12.

4) "And shall leave me alone:" (kame monon aphete) "And you all will leave me alone," or you will all desert me, as even the Father also did for a moment, Matthew 27:46; Mark 14:27; Mark 14:50. While alone, for a temporary time, while He vanquished sin, conquered death, hell, and the grave, bearing our sins in His body, on the accursed tree, Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalms 22:3; Matthew 27:46.

5) "And yet I am not alone," (kai ouk eimi monos) "And (yet) I am (exist) not alone," as Paul alone, was not alone, 2 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 4:16-17; Hebrews 13:5.

6) "Because the Father is with me." (hoti ho pater met’ mou estin) "Because the Father is (exists) with me," right now and the Father’s being with Him was more than any or all who could be against Him, for He is "greater than all," John 14:28.

Verse 33

1) "These things I have spoken unto you," (tauta lelaleka humin) "These things I have spoken to you all," in preparing you to be your best for me when I am gone, these things from John 14:1 to John 17:26.

2) "That in me ye might have peace." (hina en emoi eirenen echete) "In order that you all might have hold, or possess peace in me," by wholly trusting in me, not in yourselves, not in circumstances, not in the world, Proverbs 3:5-6; For He had "willed" them the legacy of peace, John 14:27; Romans 5:1.

3) "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (en to kosmo thlipsin echete) "In the world you all have tribulation or distress," trouble, perplexity, disappointments, persecutions, as I have foretold you, John 15:20; Matthew 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:12.

4) "But be of good cheer," (alla tharseite) "But cheer up," be cheerful, victory, triumph, and better things are ahead, even as our Lord showed us in His death, Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58.

5) "I have overcome the world." (ego nenikeka ton kosmon) I have conquered (overcome) the world." So will you all, with the aid and strength I will provide, 1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 12:11; Romans 8:35-37.