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.
Berean Amplified Bible — John 16:12
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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)
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Greek Word Reference — John 16:12
Study Notes — John 16:12
- Context
- Cross References
- John 16:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on John 16:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 16:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 16:12
- Trapp's Commentary on John 16:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on John 16:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 16:12
- Cambridge Bible on John 16:12
- Barnes' Notes on John 16:12
- Whedon's Commentary on John 16:12
- Sermons on John 16:12
Context — The Promise of the Holy Spirit
12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
13However, 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. 14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.Cross References
| Reference | Text (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
- What are some things that Jesus might be trying to teach me that I'm not yet ready to hear?
- How can I prepare my heart to receive the deeper spiritual truths that Jesus wants to share with me?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in guiding me into all truth, and how can I be more sensitive to His leading?
- 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 16:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 16:12
Trapp's Commentary on John 16:12
Ellicott's Commentary on John 16:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 16:12
Cambridge Bible on John 16:12
Barnes' Notes on John 16:12
Whedon's Commentary on John 16:12
Sermons on John 16:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
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 |
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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 |
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(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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |






