John

Chapter 16

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Scripture

KJV

1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

5But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

16A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

17Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

23And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

25These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

26At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

31Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Key VerseJohn 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Overview

Jesus continues His farewell discourse, warning the disciples that they will face persecution and even death for His name's sake. He explains that His departure is necessary because the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of truth — cannot come until He goes. He promises that their sorrow at His death will be turned to joy, like a woman's anguish in childbirth giving way to gladness. He closes with the triumphant declaration, 'Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.'

Key Themes

1

The Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment — carrying on Christ's mission of revealing truth after His ascension.

2

Sorrow Turned to Joy

Jesus compares the disciples' coming grief to the pain of childbirth — temporary suffering that gives way to lasting, unshakeable joy.

3

Christ's Victory over the World

Even as He approaches the cross, Jesus declares total victory, assuring His followers that no worldly tribulation can undo what He has accomplished.

Study Questions

1.

Jesus says 'It is expedient for you that I go away' (v. 7). How can the Spirit's indwelling presence be better for believers than Jesus' physical presence?

2.

What does it mean that the Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (vv. 8-11), and how does each conviction relate to Christ?

3.

How does the metaphor of a woman in labor (vv. 20-22) help us understand the nature of Christian suffering and hope?

4.

Jesus says, 'In that day ye shall ask me nothing' (v. 23) — what changes about prayer after the resurrection and the coming of the Spirit?

5.

What does 'I have overcome the world' (v. 33) mean in practical terms for believers who still face real tribulation?

Connection to Christ

Jesus' departure through the cross and ascension is not a loss but a gain — it makes possible the universal presence of the Holy Spirit, who testifies of Christ in every believer. The Spirit's entire ministry is Christ-centered: He convicts of the sin of rejecting Christ, reveals Christ's righteousness, and declares Christ's victory. Jesus has already overcome the world, and believers share in that victory.

Personal Reflection

Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through John 16. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?

John

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