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John 16:31

John 16:31 in Multiple Translations

“Do you finally believe?” Jesus replied.

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

Jesus made answer, Have you faith now?

“Are you really convinced now?” Jesus asked.

Iesus answered them, Doe you beleeue nowe?

Jesus answered them, 'Now do ye believe? lo, there doth come an hour,

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

Jesus answered them: Do you now believe?

Jesus replied, “Now you [RHQ] say that you believe that I came from God.

Jesus said, “You reckon you believe now,

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Berean Amplified Bible — John 16:31

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John 16:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK απεκριθη αυτοις ο ιησους αρτι πιστευετε
απεκριθη apokrinō G611 to answer Verb-ADI-3S
αυτοις autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DPM
ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM
ιησους Iēsous G2424 Joshua Noun-NSM
αρτι arti G737 now Adv
πιστευετε pisteuō G4100 to trust (in) Verb-PAI-2P
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Greek Word Reference — John 16:31

απεκριθη apokrinō G611 "to answer" Verb-ADI-3S
To answer or respond, as in Matthew 27:12 and Mark 14:61, where Jesus answers the high priest. It can also mean to begin speaking or to give a reply. The KJV translates it as 'answer'.
Definition: ἀποκρίνω, ἀποκρίνομαι, [in LXX chiefly for ענה ;] in cl., __1. to separate, distinguish. __2. to choose. Mid., to answer: Mat.27:12, Mrk.14:61, Luk.3:16 23:9, Jhn.5:17, 19 Act.3:12. In late Gk. the pass, also is used in this sense, and pass. forms are the more frequently in NT (M, Pr., 39, 161; MM, see word); __(a) in general sense: absol., Mrk.12:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.22:46; with dative of person(s), Mat.12:38; before πρός, Act.25:16; __(b) Hebraistically __(i) like ענה, to begin to speak, take up the conversation (Kennedy, Sources, 124f.): Mat.11:25, al., __(ii) redundant, as in the Heb. phrase וַיַּעַן וַיּאֹמֶר (Dalman, Words, 24f., 38; M, Pr., 14; Bl., §58, 4; 74, 2; Cremer, 374): ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε, Mat.4:4; ἔφη, 8:8; λέγει, Mrk.3:33; in Jo most frequently (ἀπεκ. κ. εἶπε, 1:49. ) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 246 NT verses. KJV: answer See also: Acts 3:12; Luke 1:35; Matthew 13:37.
αυτοις autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DPM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
ιησους Iēsous G2424 "Joshua" Noun-NSM
Jesus is the Greek name for Joshua, which means God is salvation. It is used to refer to Jesus Christ, the son of God, as well as other Israelites with the same name. The name Jesus appears over 900 times in the New Testament.
Definition: Ἰωσή, see: Ἰωσῆς - -ῆ (Rec. -ή Luk.3:29; AV, Jose; see: Ἰησοῦς, 3), and -ῆτος (Mk, ll with), ὁ, Joses; __1. brother of our Lord: Mrk.6:3, Mat.13:55 (Rec., see: Ἰωσήφ). __2. Son of Mary: Mat.27:56 (-σήφ), WH, txt), Mrk.15:40, 47 __3. see: Βαρνάβας.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 932 NT verses. KJV: Jesus See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1.
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.
πιστευετε pisteuō G4100 "to trust (in)" Verb-PAI-2P
To believe or trust in someone, like having faith in Jesus Christ, is what this word means. It's used in Matthew 24:23 and Mark 13:21, showing trust in God's power and promises.
Definition: πιστεύω, [in LXX chiefly for אמן hi. ;] __1. intrans., to have faith (in), to believe; in cl., with accusative, dative, in NT also with prep, (on the significance of the various constructions, see M, Pr., 67f.; Vau. on Rom.4:5; Ellic. on 1Ti.1:16; Abbott, JV, 19-80): absol., Mat.24:23, 26 Mrk.13:21, 1Co.11:18; with accusative of thing(s), Act.13:41, 1Co.13:7; with dative of person(s) (to believe what one says), Mrk.16:[13, 14], 1Jn.4:1; τ. ψεύδει, 2Th.2:11; περί . . . ὅτι, Jhn.9:18; esp. and most frequently with reference to religious belief: absol., Mat.8:13, Mrk.5:36, Luk.8:50, Jhn.11:40, al.; before ὅτι, Mat.9:28, al.; with dative (see supr., and cf. DB, i, 829a), Jhn.3:12 5:24 6:30 8:31, Act.16:34, Gal.3:6" (LXX), 2Ti.1:12, 1Jn.5:10, al.; with prep., (expressing personal trust and reliance as distinct from mere credence or belief; see M, Pr., l.with; DB, i, 829b), to believe in or on: ἐν (Psa.77 (78):22, al.), Mrk.1:15 (see Swete, in l.); εἰς, Mat.18:6, Jhn.2:11 (see Westc., in l.), and freq., Act.10:43 19:4, Rom.10:14, Gal.2:16, Php.1:29, I Jhn.5:10, 1Pe.1:8; εἰς τ. ὄνομα, Jhn.1:12 2:23 3:18, 1Jn.5:13; ἐπί, with accusative, Mat.27:42, Act.9:42 11:17 16:31 22:19, Rom.4:5; ἐπί, with dative, Rom.9:33 (LXX) 10:11 (ib.), 1Ti.1:16, 1Pe.2:6" (LXX) ; ptcp. pres., οἱ π., as subst., Act.2:44, Rom.3:22, 1Co.1:21, al.; aor., Mrk.16:[16], Act.4:32; pf., Act.19:18 21:20 (on Johannine use of the tenses of π., see Westc, Epp. Jo., 120). __2. Trans., to entrust: with accusative and dative, Luk.16:11, Jhn.2:24; pass., to be entrusted with: with accusative, Rom.3:2, 1Co.9:17, Gal.2:7, 1Th.2:4 (see Lft., Notes, 21f.), 1Ti.1:11, Tit.1:3. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 219 NT verses. KJV: believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:21; John 5:47; 1 Peter 1:8.

Study Notes — John 16:31

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Luke 9:44–45 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
2 John 13:38 “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

John 16:31 Summary

[Jesus asks the disciples if they finally believe, not because He doubts their faith, but because He wants to help them understand the depth of their commitment to Him, as seen in John 16:30. He knows that their faith will soon be tested, and He wants to prepare them for what is to come, just as He prepares us for the challenges we face in life, as described in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Jesus' question is an invitation to the disciples, and to us, to examine our faith and to trust in His power and presence, even when things seem uncertain, as promised in Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 28:20.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Jesus ask the disciples if they finally believe in John 16:31?

Jesus asks this question because, despite the disciples' statement of faith in John 16:30, He knows that their faith will soon be tested and they will face challenges that will cause them to doubt, as seen in John 16:32 and Matthew 26:56.

Is Jesus' question in John 16:31 a rebuke to the disciples?

While Jesus' question may seem like a rebuke, it is more of a probing question to help the disciples examine the depth of their faith, similar to His question to Peter in Matthew 16:15-16, where He seeks to understand the basis of their faith.

What does Jesus mean by 'finally believe' in John 16:31?

Jesus' phrase 'finally believe' suggests that He is looking for a mature and settled faith in His disciples, one that will endure through trials and tribulations, as described in James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7.

How does Jesus' question in John 16:31 relate to the rest of the chapter?

Jesus' question in John 16:31 serves as a transition to the warnings and encouragements that follow in John 16:32-33, where He prepares the disciples for the challenges they will face and reminds them of His presence and power, as seen in John 14:27 and Hebrews 13:5-6.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am still struggling to believe in Jesus' power and presence?
  2. How can I, like the disciples, move from a superficial understanding of Jesus' teachings to a deeper faith that endures through trials?
  3. In what ways can I, like Jesus, trust in God's presence and power even when faced with difficult circumstances?
  4. What are some ways that Jesus' question in John 16:31 challenges me to examine my own faith and commitment to Him?

Gill's Exposition on John 16:31

Jesus answered them, do ye now believe?] Not as calling their faith in question; or as denying they had any; or as despising it for the smallness of it; but as reproving them for their security, vain

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 16:31

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? - `It is well ye do, because that faith is soon to be tested, and in a way ye little expect.'

Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 16:31

Some read the words, (not as a question), You do now believe. It is well you believe at last, you had reason enough to have believed before this time.

Trapp's Commentary on John 16:31

31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Ver. 31. Do ye now believe?] I know, ere trouble comes, you are jolly fellows. But it is easy to swim in a warm bath: and every bird can sing in a sunshine day. We shall see shortly what you can do. "If ye faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small," Proverbs 24:10. Hard weather tries what health; hot service, what courage.

Ellicott's Commentary on John 16:31

(31) Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe.—Comp. Note on John 1:50. Here, as there, the words do not necessarily ask a question; and, although many expositors prefer to take them interrogatively, a sense more in harmony with the context is got by understanding them as an assertion. Our Lord did not doubt their present faith (John 17:8); but He knew that the hour of their full illumination had not yet come, firmly as they believed it had. Their present light was as the flash of the meteor—brilliant, but passing away. The clear and steadfast light of day was in the future, of which He has spoken to them. They think the hour of full knowledge has come. He sees the time when they shall all be scattered and leave Him alone, close at hand. It is this thought which He expresses to them—“Now ye do believe: Behold, the hour cometh . . .”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 16:31

Verse 31. Do ye now believe?] And will ye continue to believe? Ye are now fully convinced; and will ye in the hour of trial retain your conviction, and prove faithful and steady?

Cambridge Bible on John 16:31

31. Do ye now believe?] The words are only half a question (comp. John 20:29). The belief of which they are conscious is no illusion, but it is not yet as perfect as they in their momentary enthusiasm suppose. ‘Now’ means ‘at this stage of your course;’ it is not the word used by the Apostles (John 16:29-30), but another of which S. John makes much use. The one (nûn) regards the present moment only, ‘now’ absolutely; the other (arti) regards the present in relation to the past and future, ‘at this crisis.’ Comp. John 16:12, John 13:7; John 13:19; John 13:33; John 13:37, &c.

Barnes' Notes on John 16:31

Do ye now believe? - Do you truly and really believe? This question was evidently asked to put them on a full examination of their hearts.

Whedon's Commentary on John 16:31

31. Do ye now believe?—The best commentators now agree that the words should be rendered not interrogatively but affirmatively—Ye do now believe. Jesus admits their faith.

Sermons on John 16:31

SermonDescription
T. Austin-Sparks The Foundation of Spiritual Education by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the importance of learning Christ rather than merely imitating Him, highlighting that true spiritual education involves a deep, subjective understanding
John Piper He Set His Face to Go to Jerusalem by John Piper In this sermon, Pastor John Piper discusses the significance of Palm Sunday and the anticipation of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He describes the scene of believers wavin
Willie Mullan (Following the Footsteps of Christ) the Upper Room by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the humility of Jesus and his willingness to serve others. Jesus washes the disciples' feet as a demonstration of his love and humility. The

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