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John 16:12

John 16:12 in Multiple Translations

I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.

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

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

I have still much to say to you, but you are not strong enough for it now.

There's much more I want to explain to you, but you couldn't stand it now.

I haue yet many things to say vnto you, but ye cannot beare them nowe.

'I have yet many things to say to you, but ye are not able to bear [them] now;

“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.

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

I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now.

I have many more things that I would like to tell you, but you are not able to accept them now.

I have a lot more to tell you, but it’s too much for you right now.

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Berean Amplified Bible — John 16:12

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

John 16:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ετι πολλα εχω λεγειν υμιν αλλ ου δυνασθε βασταζειν αρτι
ετι eti G2089 still Adv
πολλα polus G4183 much Adj-APN
εχω echō G2192 to have/be Verb-PAI-1S
λεγειν legō G3004 to say Verb-PAN
υμιν su G4771 you Pron-2DP
αλλ alla G235 but Conj
ου ou G3756 no Particle-N
δυνασθε dunamai G1410 be able Verb-PNI-2P
βασταζειν bastazō G941 to carry Verb-PAN
αρτι arti G737 now Adv
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — John 16:12

ετι eti G2089 "still" Adv
Still means something is ongoing or continues to happen, as seen in Mark 5:35 and 1 Corinthians 3:3. It can also mean yet or even, showing something is happening at the present time or will happen in the future.
Definition: ἔτι adv., yet, as yet, still; __1. of time; __(a) of the present (adhuc): Mrk.5:35, 1Co.3:3 15:17, Gal.1:10, al.; __(b) of the past, mostly with impf.: Mat.12:46, Luk.8:49 15:20, Jhn.20:1, Act.9:1, Rom.5:6, 8, 2Th.2:5, Heb.7:10 9:8, al.; __(with) of the future: Luk.1:15, 2Co.1:10; __(d) with a neg.: Mat.5:13, Luk.16:2 20:36, Heb.10:2, Rev.3:12 20:3, al. __2. Of degree, even, yet, still, further: with compar., Php.1:9, Heb.7:15; of what remains, Mrk.12:6, Jhn.4:35 7:33, al.; of what is added, Mat.18:16 26:65, Heb.11:32 12:26-27; of con­tinuance apart from the idea of time, Rom.3:7 6:2 9:19, Gal.5:11; ἔτι δἐ, Act.2:26 (LXX), Heb.11:36; ἔτι τε καί, Luk.14:26, Act.21:28 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 82 NT verses. KJV: after that, also, ever, (any) further, (t-)henceforth (more), hereafter, (any) longer, (any) more(-one), now, still, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 3:2; Luke 18:22; Hebrews 7:10.
πολλα polus G4183 "much" Adj-APN
This word means much or many, and is used to describe things like large crowds, as in Mark 5:24, or a great amount of time, as in Matthew 25:19. It emphasizes the magnitude of something.
Definition: πολύς, πολλή, πολύ, [in LXX chiefly for רַב and cognate forms ;] __1. as adj., much, many, great, of number, space, degree, value, time, etc.: ἀριθμός, Act.11:21; ὄχλος, Mrk.5:24; θερισμός, Mat.9:37; χόρτος, Jhn.6:10; χρόνος, Mat.25:19; γογγυσμός, Jhn.7:12; πόνος, Col.4:13; δόξα, Mat.24:30; σιγή, Act.21:40; pl., προφῆται, Mat.13:17; ὄχλοι, Mat.4:25; δαιμόνια, Mrk.1:34; δυνάμεις, Mat.7:22, __2. As subst., pl. masc, πολλοί, many (persons): Mat.7:22, Mrk.2:2, al.; with genitive partit., Mat.3:7, Luk.1:16, al.; before ἐκ, Jhn.7:31, Act.17:12; with art., οἱ π., the many, Mat.24:12, Rom.12:5, 1Co.10:17, 33 2Co.2:17; opposite to ὁ εἶς (Lft., Notes, 291), Rom.5:15, 19; neut. pl., πολλά: Mat.13:3, Mrk.5:26, al.; accusative with adverbial force, Mrk.1:45, Rom.16:6 (Deiss., LAE, 317), 1Co.16:12, Jas.3:2, al.; neut. sing., πολύ: Luk.12:48; adverbially, Mrk.12:27, al.; πολλοῦ (genitive pret.), Mat.26:9; with compar. (Bl., §44, 5), π. σπουδαιότερον, 2Co.8:22; πολλῷ πλείους, Jhn.4:41. Compar., πλείων, neut., πλεῖον and πλέον (see WH, App., 151), pl., πλείονες, -ας, -α, contr., πλείους, -ω (cf. Mayser, 69), more, greater; __1. as adj.: Jhn.15:2, Act.18:2o, Heb.3:3; before παρά, Heb.11:4 (cf. Westc, in l. Was ΠΛΙΟΝΑ here a primitive error for ΗΔΙΟΝΑ ?); pi., Act.13:31, al.; with genitive compar., Mat.21:36; with num. (ἤ of comp. omitted), Act.4:22 24:11, al. __2. As subst., οἱ π., the greater number: Act.10:32 27:12, 1Co.10:5 15:6; also (Bl., §44, 3) others, more, the more: 2Co.2:6 4:15, Php.1:14; πλείονα, Luk.11:53; πλειον, πλέον, Mat.20:10, 2Ti.3:9; with genitive comp., Mk 12:43, Luk.21:3; π. Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε, Mat.12:41; adverbially, Act.4:17 20:9 24:4. __3. As adv., πλεῖον: before ἤ, Luk.9:13; with genitive comp., Mat.5:20; πλείω: with num., Mat.26:53. Superl., πλεῖστος, -η, -ον, __(a) prop., most: Mat.11:20 21:8; adverbially, τὸ π., 1Co.14:27; __(b) elative (M, Pr., 79), very great: ὄχλος π., Mrk.4:1. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 386 NT verses. KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly See also: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Acts 23:21; 1 Peter 1:3.
εχω echō G2192 "to have/be" Verb-PAI-1S
This Greek word means to have or hold something, like a possession or ability. It is used in many ways, such as having power or being with someone. The Bible uses it in Revelation 5:8 and 14:6.
Definition: ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. __I. Trans.; __1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; __(a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; __(b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; __(with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; __(d) to hold fast, keep: Luk.19:20; metaphorically, of the mind and conduct, Mrk.16:8 (cf. Job.21:6, Isa.13:8; Deiss., BS, 293; Field, Notes, 44f.), Jhn.14:21, Rom.1:28, 1Ti.3:9, 2Ti.1:13, Rev.6:9, al.; __(e) to involve: Heb.10:35 (LXX), Jas.1:4, 1Jn.4:18; (f) = Lat. habere (Bl., §34, 5; 73, 5), to hold, consider: with accusative and predic. ptcp., Luk.14:18; with accusative, before ὡς, Mat.14:5; εἰς (Hebraism), Mat.21:46; on (Bl., §70, 2), Mrk.11:32. __2. to have, possess; __(a) in general, with accusative of thing(s): Mat.19:22, Mrk.10:22, Luk.12:19, Jhn.10:16, 1Co.11:22, al.; of wealth or poverty, absol., ἔχειν (neg. οὐκ, μή), Mat.13:12 25:29, 2Co.8:12; ἐκ τ. ἔχειν, according to your means, 2Co.8:11; __(b) of relationship, association, and: πατέρα, Jhn.8:41; γυναῖκα (MM, xiv), 1Co.7:2; φίλον, Luk.11:5; βασιλέα, Jhn.19:15; ποιμένα, Mat.9:36; with dupl. accusative, Mat.3:9, al.; __(with) of parts or members: ὦτα, Mat.19:15; μέλη, Rom.12:4; θεμελίους, __(d) with accusative, as periphrasis of verb: μνεῖαν ἔ. (= μεμνῆσθαι), 1Th.3:6; ἀγάπην, Jhn.13:35; γνῶσιν, 1Co.8:1; πεποίθησιν, 2Co.3:4; θλίψιν, Jhn.16:33, etc. (Thayer, see word, I, 2, f., g.); __(e) of duty, necessity, etc.: ἀνάγκην, 1Co.7:37; νόμον, Jhn.19:7; ἐπιταγήν, 1Co.7:25; ἀγῶνα, Php.1:30; κρίμα, 1Ti.5:12; __(f) of complaints and disputes; κατά, with genitive of person(s), Mat.5:23, Mrk.11:25; id. before ὅτι, Rev.2:4, 20; with accusative before πρός, Act.24:19, al.; __(g) with inf., __(α) (cl.) to be able (Field, Notes, 14): Mat.18:25, Mrk.14:8 (sc. ποιῆσαι), Luk.12:4, Act.4:14, al; __(β) of necessity (BL, §69, 4): Luk.12:50, Act.23:17-19 28:19. __II. Intrans. (BL, §53, 1), to be in a certain condition: ἑτοίμως ἔ., with inf., Act.21:13, 2Co.12:14; ἐσχάτως (which see), Mrk.5:23; κακῶς, to be ill, Mat.4:24, al.; καλῶς, Mk 16:[18]; κομψότερον, Jhn.4:52; πῶς, Act.15:36; impers., ἄλλως εἴχει, it is otherwise, 1Ti.5:25; οὕτως, Act.7:1, al.; τὸ νῦν ἔχον, as things now are (Tob.7:11), Act.24:25. __III. Mid., -ομαι, to hold oneself fast, hold on or cling to, be next to: with genitive, τ. ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, Heb.6:9 (Rendall, in l.); ptcp., ὁ ἐχόμενος, near, next: of place, Mrk.1:38; of time, τ. ἐχομένη (ἡμέρα, expressed or understood), Luk.13:33, Act.20:15 21:26; (σαββάτῳ), Act.13:44. (Cf. ἀν-, προσ-αν-, ἀντ-, ἀπ-, ἐν-, ἐπ-, κατ-, μετ-, παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, ὑπερ-, ὑπ-έχω.) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 628 NT verses. KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use See also: 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 2:12.
λεγειν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAN
This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.
Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.
υμιν su G4771 "you" Pron-2DP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
αλλ alla G235 "but" Conj
But is a strong opposing word, used in Matthew 5:15 and John 7:16. It shows contrast or surprise, like in the phrase 'but God' in Romans 3:31.
Definition: ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); __1. opposing a previous negation, but: οὐ (μὴ) . . . ἀ., Mat.5:15, 17 Mrk.5:39, Jhn.7:16, al.; rhetorically subordinating but not entirely negativing what precedes, οὐ . . . ἀ., not so much . . . as, Mrk.9:37, Mat.10:20, Jhn.12:44, al.; with ellipse of the negation, Mat.11:7-9, Act.19:2, 1Co.3:6 6:11 7:7, 2Co.7:1, Gal.2:3, al.; in opposition to a foregoing pos. sentence, ἀ. οὐ, Mat.24:6, 1Co.10:23; οὐ μόνον . . . ἀ. καί, Jhn.5:18, Rom.1:32, al.; elliptically, after a negation, ἀ. ἵνα, Mrk.14:49, Jhn.1:8 9:3, al.; = εἰ μή (Bl., §77, 13; M, Pr., 241; but cf. WM, §iii, 10), Mat.20:23, Mrk.4:22. __2. Without previous negation, to express opposition, interruption, transition, etc., but: Jhn.16:20 12:27, Gal.2:14; before commands or requests, Act.10:20 26:16, Mat.9:18, Mrk.9:22, al.; to introduce an accessory idea, 2Co.7:11; in the apodosis after a condition or concession with εἰ, ἐάν, εἴπερ, yet, still, at least, Mrk.14:29, 1Co.9:2, 2Co.4:16, Col.2:5, al.; after μέν, Act.4:17, Rom.14:20, 1Co.14:17; giving emphasis to the following clause, ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεται ὥρα, yea, etc., Jhn.16:2; so with neg., ἀλλ᾽ οὐδέ, nay, nor yet, Luk.23:15. __3. Joined with other particles (a practice which increases in late writers; Simcox, LNT, 166), ἀ. γε, yet at least, Luk.24:21, 1Co.9:2; ἄ ἤ., save only, except, Luk.12:51, 2Co.1:13; ἀ. μὲν οὖν, Php.3:8 (on this usage, see MM, VGT, see word). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 603 NT verses. KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Peter 1:15.
ου ou G3756 "no" Particle-N
This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.
Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.
δυνασθε dunamai G1410 "be able" Verb-PNI-2P
To be able or have power, as in Matthew 6:24 and Mark 2:7, meaning to have the capability or strength to do something.
Definition: δύναμαι, depon., [in LXX chiefly for יָכֹל ;] to be able, have power, whether by personal ability, permission, or opportunity: with inf. (M, Pr., 205; WM, §44, 3) pres., Mat.6:24, Mrk.2:7, Jhn.3:2, 1Co.10:21, al.; with inf. aor., Mat.3:9, Mrk.1:45, Jhn.3:3, 4 Rom.8:39, al.; with accusative, to be able to do something: Mrk.9:22, Luk.12:26; 2Co.13:8; absol., to be able, capable, powerful: 1Co.3:2 10:13. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 199 NT verses. KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power See also: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 15:4; Hebrews 2:18.
βασταζειν bastazō G941 "to carry" Verb-PAN
To carry means to lift or bear something, and is used in many passages, including John 10:31 and Matthew 3:11, to describe physical and metaphorical burdens.
Definition: βαστάζω, [in LXX: Jdg.16:30 (נטה), Rut.2:16, 2Ki.23:5, 4Ki.18:14 and Job.21:3 (נשׂא), Sir.6:25, Da TH Bel 36 * ;] __1. to take up with the hands, to lift: λίθους, Jhn.10:31. __2. to bear, to carry, as a burden, and metaphorically, to endure; Mat.3:11 20:12, Mrk.14:13, Luk.7:14 10:7 11:27 14:27 22:10, Jhn.16:12 19:17, Act.3:2 9:15 15:1 21:35, Rom.11:18 15:1, Gal.5:10 6:2, 5 17, Rev.2:2, 3 17:7. __3. In late writers (MM, Exp., ii, iii, x), __(a) to take away; Mat.8:17 (Isa.53:4, Heb.); __(b) to carry off, steal: Jhn.12:6 20:15. † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 27 NT verses. KJV: bear, carry, take up See also: Acts 3:2; Luke 7:14; Revelation 2:2.
αρτι arti G737 "now" Adv
The word arti means now or at this moment, as used in Matthew 3 and John 13. It emphasizes the present time, contrasting with the past or future. Jesus often used this word to teach about current events and spiritual truths.
Definition: ἄρτι adv., [in LXX: Dan LXX 9:22 10:11 (עַתָּה), al. ;] adv., of coincidence, denoting strictly present time, as contrasted with past or future, just, just now, this moment: Mat.3:15 9:18 26:53, Jhn.13:7, Gal.4:20, 1Th.3:6 (see Lft., Notes, 44; Milligan, in l), Rev.12:10; opposite to past time, Jhn.9:19, 25 13:33, 1Co.16:7, Gal.1:9-10; to future, Jhn.13:37 16:12, 31, 1Co.13:12, 2Th.2:7, 1Pe.1:6 1:8; ἄχρι τῆς ἅ. ὥρας, 1Co.4:11; ἕως ἄ., Mat.11:12, Jhn.2:10 5:17 16:24, 1Co.4:13 8:7 15:6, 1Jn.2:9; ἀπ᾽ ἄ., see: ἀπάρτι (see Rutherford, NPhr., 70 f; MM, see word).† SYN.: νῦν, now, "the objective, immediate present; ἤδη, now, already, " the subjective present, with a suggested reference to some other time or to some expectation". (Thayer, 75.) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 36 NT verses. KJV: this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present See also: 1 Corinthians 4:11; John 9:25; 1 Peter 1:6.

Study Notes — John 16:12

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Mark 4:33 With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.
2 John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.
3 1 Corinthians 3:1–2 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,
4 Acts 1:3 After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
5 Hebrews 5:11–14 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
6 John 14:30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.

John 16:12 Summary

Jesus told His disciples that He had much more to teach them, but they weren't ready to hear it yet. This doesn't mean that Jesus was holding back, but rather that the disciples needed time to grow and mature in their faith. As Jesus said in John 16:12, the disciples couldn't bear to hear the truth at that time, but the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth, as promised in John 16:13. Just like the disciples, we need to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and trust that He will reveal God's truth to us at the right time, as seen in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Jesus mean when He said He had much to tell the disciples but they couldn't bear to hear it?

Jesus was referring to the deeper spiritual truths that the disciples were not yet ready to understand, as seen in John 16:12, and would only be revealed through the Holy Spirit, as promised in John 16:13 and John 14:26.

Why couldn't the disciples bear to hear what Jesus had to say?

The disciples were not yet spiritually mature enough to grasp the full implications of Jesus' teachings, and the truth would have been overwhelming for them at that time, as Jesus Himself said in John 16:12, but the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth, as stated in John 16:13.

Is Jesus still teaching us new things today?

Yes, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus continues to guide believers into all truth, as promised in John 16:13, and as seen in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, where it is written that the Spirit reveals God's wisdom to us.

How can we know if we are ready to hear what Jesus has to say to us?

We can know if we are ready to hear from Jesus by examining our hearts and being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, as seen in Psalms 51:10-12 and John 16:13, where it is written that the Spirit will guide us into all truth.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some things that Jesus might be trying to teach me that I'm not yet ready to hear?
  2. How can I prepare my heart to receive the deeper spiritual truths that Jesus wants to share with me?
  3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in guiding me into all truth, and how can I be more sensitive to His leading?
  4. In what ways can I apply the principle of John 16:12 to my everyday life, being mindful of what I can and cannot bear to hear?

Gill's Exposition on John 16:12

I have yet many things to say unto you,.... Not with respect to the main doctrines of the Gospel, for everything of this kind he had made known unto them, John 15:15; but what regarded the rejection

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 16:12

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 16:12

Not any new articles of doctrine or faith, for, , he had told them that he had made known unto them all things which he had heard of the Father of that nature; but some things (probably) which concerned them with reference to their office as apostles, the constitution, state, and government of the church: but, saith he, ye cannot bear them now; in regard of their passion, or rather of their more imperfect state.

Trapp's Commentary on John 16:12

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Ver. 12. But ye cannot bear them now] Because your spirits are dulled with worldly sorrow. But the Spirit shall be unto you a powerful removens, prohibens.

Ellicott's Commentary on John 16:12

(12) I have yet many things to say unto you.—The “many things” are defined by the next verse to be things with regard to which the Spirit of Truth shall be their guide—i.e., they are parts of the revelation which the minds of the disciples are not yet fitted to receive. Ye cannot bear them now.—Comp. John 15:15. The statements are not opposed to each other. On His side there is the readiness to impart to them as friends all things that He had heard from the Father. But revelation can only be made to the mind which can accept it; and for those who have only in part understood what He has told them there are many things which cannot now be borne. Of what the “many things” were, we have only this general knowledge. They would include, doubtless, the doctrinal system of the early Church, and they would not exclude all the lessons which the spirit of God has taught the Church in every age. The fact that there were truths which Christ Himself could not teach is a lesson which men who profess to teach in Christ’s name have too seldom learnt. St. Paul found in it a rule for his own practice. He, too, fed men with milk because they could not bear meat. (Comp. Note on 1 Corinthians 3:3.) It is true, indeed, that no one can teach who does not possess a higher knowledge than that of his pupil; but it is no less true that no one can really teach who does not take the lower ground of his pupil’s knowledge, and from that lead him to his own. Truths which the cultured mind accepts as obvious would appear no less so to the peasant if he were carefully taught them. Too often the weaker brother finds a stumbling-block in the very steps which should lead him to a higher truth, because he approaches them blindly, and without a guide. For the breach which exists between the higher Christian thought of our day and the faith of the masses of the people, Christian teachers are in no small degree responsible, and the only means by which the chasm may be bridged is to teach Christ’s truths as He Himself taught them.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 16:12

Verse 12. Ye cannot bear them now.] In illustration of these three points, Christ had many things to say; but he found that his disciples could only bear general truths; yet, in saying what he did, he sowed the seeds of the whole system of theological knowledge, and heavenly wisdom, which the Holy Spirit of this truth afterwards watered and ripened into a glorious harvest of light and salvation, by the ministry of the apostles. Dr. Lightfoot supposes that the things which the apostles could not bear now were such as these: 1. The institution of the Christian Sabbath, and the abolition of the Jewish. 2. The rejection of the whole Jewish nation, at the very time in which they expected to be set up and established for ever. 3. The entire change of the whole Mosaic dispensation, and the bringing the Gentiles into the Church of God.

Cambridge Bible on John 16:12

12–15. The Disciples and the ParacleteThe Paraclete not only convicts and convinces the world, He also enlightens the Apostles respecting Christ and thereby glorifies Him, for to make Christ known is to glorify Him. These verses are very important as shewing the authority of the Apostles’ teaching: it is not their own, but the truth of Christ revealed by the Spirit.

Barnes' Notes on John 16:12

I have yet many things to say ... - There were many things pertaining to the work of the Spirit and the establishment of religion which might be said.

Whedon's Commentary on John 16:12

12. Many things to say… ye cannot bear—The wise teacher knows not only how to instruct, but how to withhold instruction that he may instruct in the right order.

Sermons on John 16:12

SermonDescription
Paul Washer The Knowledge of God by Paul Washer In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the importance of knowing and understanding God. He quotes Jeremiah 9:23-24, where God declares that true boasting should come fr
Warren Wiersbe Meet Your Psychiatrist: He Helps You Tell the Truth by Warren Wiersbe In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living in truth and the consequences of practicing lies. He highlights that when we live in truth, God blesses us, but when
J. Vernon McGee (Guidelines) Begin With Prayer Contd by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the Bible as the ultimate source of knowledge and guidance. He highlights that the Spirit of God is the true teacher and ca
George Warnock Kingdom Life by George Warnock In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the revelation that God has been giving to the church of Jesus over the past few decades. He emphasizes that even though some may think thes
Leonard Ravenhill Collection of Prayers 2 by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher expresses gratitude for the day when every knee will bow before God. He acknowledges the existence of villains who rule the empires of the world and th
Leonard Ravenhill The Perils of Paul by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the dedication and discipline of a young Chinese girl who practices diving for hours every day for five years. He uses this example to chall
Bill McLeod Knowing the Word of God by Bill McLeod In this sermon, the preacher shares his personal experiences and insights on walking with God. He emphasizes the importance of studying the Bible and having a hunger for spiritual

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