John 16
BSB1 “I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But I have told you these things so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned. 12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. 15 Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you. 16 In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me. “ 17 Then some of His disciples asked one another, “Why is He telling us, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?" 18 They kept asking, “Why is He saying, ‘a little while’? We do not understand what He is saying." 19 Aware that they wanted to question Him, Jesus said to them, “Are you asking one another why I said, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world. In turn, I will leave the world and go to the Father." 29 His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God." 31 “Do you finally believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!"
Study Notes — John 16
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from John 16
- Themes from John 16
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on John 16
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
In John 16, Jesus continues His farewell discourse, preparing His disciples for His departure and the challenges they will face. He teaches them about the Holy Spirit, who will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). Jesus also warns them of the persecution they will face, but assures them that they will not be alone, for the Holy Spirit will be with them (John 16:1-4). The chapter concludes with Jesus expressing His joy and the disciples' future joy, despite the sorrow they are currently experiencing (John 16:20-24).
Context for the Chapter
John 16 is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, which begins in John 13. The chapter is situated in the larger context of Jesus' ministry, which is coming to an end. The disciples are struggling to understand Jesus' words, and Jesus is preparing them for the challenges they will face after His departure. The chapter is also connected to the larger biblical narrative, as it looks forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the church.
Heart Application
As we reflect on John 16, we are reminded of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are encouraged to trust in the Holy Spirit's presence and power, even in times of persecution or uncertainty. We are also called to rejoice in the midst of sorrow, knowing that our joy is not based on circumstances, but on the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
John 16 is about Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be a Helper to the disciples, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Despite the sorrow they are currently experiencing, Jesus expresses His joy and the disciples' future joy, which will be full and complete, as seen in John 16:20-24.
Voices from the Church
“The Holy Spirit is the bond of our union with Christ, and the pledge of our future inheritance.”
— John Calvin
“The joy of the believer is not a joy that is dependent on circumstances, but a joy that is rooted in the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- The Departure of Jesus (John 16:1-4) — Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, warning them of the persecution they will face, but assuring them that they will not be alone, for the Holy Spirit will be with them.
- The Work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:5-11) — The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and will be a comfort to the disciples in times of persecution.
- The Glorification of Jesus (John 16:12-15) — Jesus will be glorified through the Holy Spirit's work, and the disciples will be witnesses to this glorification.
- The Joy of the Disciples (John 16:16-22) — Despite the sorrow they are currently experiencing, Jesus expresses His joy and the disciples' future joy, which will be full and complete.
- The Prayer of Jesus (John 16:23-24) — Jesus prays for His disciples, asking the Father to give them joy and peace, and to keep them from the evil one.
Core Doctrines
- The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
- John 16 teaches that the Holy Spirit is a person who will come to the disciples after Jesus departs, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and being a comfort to the disciples in times of persecution.
- The Glorification of Jesus
- The chapter teaches that Jesus will be glorified through the Holy Spirit's work, and that the disciples will be witnesses to this glorification.
- The Joy of the Believer
- The chapter teaches that the joy of the believer is not based on circumstances, but on the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in their lives.
- The Persecution of the Church
- The chapter teaches that the church will face persecution, but that the Holy Spirit will be with them, comforting and empowering them to witness to the gospel.
Lessons from John 16
- The Importance of the Holy Spirit — The Holy Spirit is essential for the life and witness of the believer, and we must trust in His presence and power.
- The Preparation for Persecution — As believers, we must be prepared to face persecution, but we can trust in the Holy Spirit's presence and power to comfort and empower us.
- The Glorification of Jesus — The glorification of Jesus is a central theme of the chapter, and we must understand its significance for our faith and witness.
- The Joy of the Believer — The joy of the believer is not based on circumstances, but on the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in their lives.
- The Prayer of Jesus — Jesus' prayer in John 16:23-24 is a model for our own prayers, as we ask the Father to give us joy and peace, and to keep us from the evil one.
Themes from John 16
- The Departure of Jesus — The departure of Jesus is a central theme of the chapter, as He prepares His disciples for His leaving and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
- The Work of the Holy Spirit — The work of the Holy Spirit is a major theme of the chapter, as He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and comforts the disciples in times of persecution.
- The Glorification of Jesus — The glorification of Jesus is a significant theme of the chapter, as Jesus will be glorified through the Holy Spirit's work.
- The Joy of the Believer — The joy of the believer is a theme of the chapter, as Jesus expresses His joy and the disciples' future joy, which will be full and complete.
- The Persecution of the Church — The persecution of the church is a theme of the chapter, as Jesus warns the disciples that they will face persecution, but assures them that the Holy Spirit will be with them.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, according to John 16?
- How does Jesus prepare His disciples for His departure, and what promises does He make to them?
- What is the relationship between the glorification of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit?
- How does the chapter contrast the sorrow of the disciples with their future joy?
- What is the significance of Jesus' prayer in John 16:23-24, and how does it relate to the themes of the chapter?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Departure of Jesus (John 16:1-4)
| John 16:1 | Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, warning them of the persecution they will face, but assuring them that they will not be alone, for the Holy Spirit will be with them. |
| John 16:2 | The disciples will be put out of the synagogues, and those who kill them will think they are offering a service to God. |
2. The Work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:5-11)
| John 16:5 | The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and will be a comfort to the disciples in times of persecution. |
| John 16:7 | It is for the benefit of the disciples that Jesus is going away, for if He does not go away, the Helper will not come to them. |
3. The Glorification of Jesus (John 16:12-15)
| John 16:12 | Jesus has much more to say to the disciples, but they cannot bear it now. |
| John 16:13 | The Holy Spirit will guide the disciples into all truth, and will declare to them the things that are to come. |
4. The Joy of the Disciples (John 16:16-22)
| John 16:16 | A little while, and the disciples will not see Jesus, but again a little while, and they will see Him. |
| John 16:20 | The disciples will have sorrow now, but Jesus will see them again, and their hearts will rejoice. |
5. The Prayer of Jesus (John 16:23-24)
| John 16:23 | In that day, the disciples will ask Jesus nothing, for the Father will give them whatever they ask in Jesus' name. |
| John 16:24 | Until now, the disciples have asked nothing in Jesus' name, but now they will ask, and Jesus will give them joy that will be full and complete. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in John 16?
The Holy Spirit is the Helper who will come to the disciples after Jesus departs, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and being a comfort to the disciples in times of persecution, as seen in John 16:7-11.
Why is Jesus' departure necessary?
Jesus' departure is necessary for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will be a Helper to the disciples, as seen in John 16:7.
What is the significance of Jesus' prayer in John 16:23-24?
Jesus' prayer in John 16:23-24 is a model for our own prayers, as we ask the Father to give us joy and peace, and to keep us from the evil one, as seen in John 16:24.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 16:7 → John 14:16 | The Holy Spirit is the Helper who will come to the disciples after Jesus departs, as seen in John 14:16 and John 16:7. |
| 2 | John 16:8 → John 3:19 | The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, as seen in John 3:19 and John 16:8. |
| 3 | John 16:12 → John 14:26 | The Holy Spirit will guide the disciples into all truth, as seen in John 14:26 and John 16:12. |
| 4 | John 16:13 → John 15:26 | The Holy Spirit will declare to the disciples the things that are to come, as seen in John 15:26 and John 16:13. |
| 5 | John 16:20 → John 15:18 | The disciples will have sorrow now, but Jesus will see them again, and their hearts will rejoice, as seen in John 15:18 and John 16:20. |
| 6 | John 16:23 → Matthew 7:7 | The Father will give the disciples whatever they ask in Jesus' name, as seen in Matthew 7:7 and John 16:23. |
| 7 | John 16:24 → John 15:11 | Jesus will give the disciples joy that will be full and complete, as seen in John 15:11 and John 16:24. |
| 8 | John 16:25 → Psalm 16:11 | Jesus will speak plainly to the disciples, and they will see Him again, as seen in Psalm 16:11 and John 16:25. |
| 9 | John 16:26 → John 14:13 | The Father will give the disciples whatever they ask in Jesus' name, as seen in John 14:13 and John 16:26. |
| 10 | John 16:27 → John 15:9 | The Father loves the disciples, because they have loved Jesus and have believed that He came from the Father, as seen in John 15:9 and John 16:27. |
Sermons on John 16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Hebrews) 1-Overview-2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the feeling of God's hiddenness and the darkness that comes when God withdraws his favor. He emphasizes the need for God's truth to set us fr |
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The Voice of the Holy Spirit by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the state of being lost that humanity is in. He describes how people are lost inwardly and unaware of their lostness. The preacher also crit |
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(So Great a Salvation) Conviction and Repentance by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of addressing the spiritual needs of individuals when they become aware of them. He prays for God's guidance in reaching out |
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You Need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a man named Steve who was a rock star and wanted to use his fame to spread the message of Jesus. However, he was confronted by you |
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Authority and God's Word - Part 1 by Derek Prince | This sermon emphasizes the authority of Scripture, highlighting that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. It discusses the importance of accepting the entire B |
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(Poland) Walking in the Spirit by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares personal anecdotes about his experiences in Broadway and as a preacher. He talks about a show on Broadway that received terrible reviews and onl |
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(So Great a Salvation) Faith-New Birth-Witness of the Spirit by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the topic of faith, using Hebrews 11:1-6 as the key scripture. The sermon emphasizes that everything in the Christian life follows a process |
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The Secret of Miracles Revealed in Jesus's Life by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the role of the Holy Trinity in our lives. God the Father is seated on His throne and is the giver of good and perfect gifts. Jesus, the Son, |
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Today Inherit the Mind of Christ by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding that God is a person. They highlight the significance of Jesus being God in the flesh and how he revealed the |
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The Filling of the Holy Ghost by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. He refers to the command in Ephesians 5:18 to be filled with the Spirit and explains th |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on John 16
In John 16, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and will be a comfort to the disciples in times of persecution. Jesus will be glorified through the Holy Spirit's work, and the disciples will be witnesses to this glorification. The chapter contrasts the sorrow of the disciples with their future joy, which will be full and complete. As Matthew Henry notes, the Holy Spirit is the bond of our union with Christ, and the pledge of our future inheritance. The chapter teaches us to trust in the Holy Spirit's presence and power, and to rejoice in the midst of sorrow, knowing that our joy is not based on circumstances, but on the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Importance of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is emphasized throughout the chapter as the Helper who will come to the disciples after Jesus departs. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and will be a comfort to the disciples in times of persecution.
The Theme of Persecution
The theme of persecution is prominent in the chapter, as Jesus warns the disciples that they will face persecution, but assures them that they will not be alone, for the Holy Spirit will be with them.
The Contrast Between Sorrow and Joy
The chapter contrasts the sorrow the disciples are currently experiencing with the joy they will experience in the future. Jesus expresses His joy and the disciples' future joy, which will be full and complete.