John 16

John 16:1

He that is washed needeth not except to wash [his] feet. We must seek the spiritual meaning. He who is once cleansed by the blood of Christ only needs, after this, to come to Christ for partial cleansing; for the forgiveness of the special sins that make him unclean.

John 16:3

Know ye what I have done to you? They knew the act, but did they comprehend its meaning?

John 16:4

13:14 John 13:14 If I then, [your] Lord and Master have wash your feet. Ye ought to follow the example of humility, self-sacrifice, and service to others, that your Lord sets you. Ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. Instead of seeking the pre-eminence, disputing concerning the seats of honor, and shrinking from humble service to each other, ye should follow my example.

John 16:5

If I then, [your] Lord and Master have wash your feet. Ye ought to follow the example of humility, self-sacrifice, and service to others, that your Lord sets you. Ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. Instead of seeking the pre-eminence, disputing concerning the seats of honor, and shrinking from humble service to each other, ye should follow my example.

John 16:6

For I have given you an example. Christ gave an example, not a church ordinance. It is our duty to follow the example and render the same kind of service to fellow Christians. To make his example a ceremonial and follow it literally would be to lose its spirit. Note the fact that not once else where is it referred to in the New Testament as a church ordinance, and only once mentioned at all. It is named as a mark of a godly widow in 1 Timothy 5:10. Nor is there any mention of it as a church ordinance until the fourth century. The lesson is that he who would be greatest must be always ready to serve others in a spirit of humility and self-sacrifice.

John 16:8

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Know what things? Of course they knew that Christ had washed their feet. But did they know what he meant? The meaning is clearly, “If ye understand the meaning of my act, happy are ye if ye exemplify the same spirit in your lives”.

John 16:9

I speak not of you all. One is a traitor. He is not included in the beatitude just pronounced in John 13:17.

John 16:10

I tell you before it . . . is come to pass. That he is about to be betrayed.

John 16:12

Troubled in spirit. Because a traitor was present among the apostles. For the exposure of Judas, see notes on Matthew 26:21-25. Compare Mr 14:18-21.

John 16:14

There was leaning on Jesus’ bosom. It was the custom to recline on a couch, leaning on the left elbow, at table. John, who was immediately before Jesus, would be almost at his bosom. Whom Jesus loved. It was John’s joy that Jesus loved him.

John 16:15

Simon Peter there beckoned to him. The disciples did not know who would be the traitor. At Peter’s request, John, in a low tone, asked Jesus.

John 16:17

He it is to whom I shall give a sop. He gave a sign, and when John saw him dip a piece of bread into the sop of bitter herbs, always on the passover table, and give it to Judas, he knew he was meant.

John 16:18

Satan entered into him. He gave himself up at once to Satan’s purpose. What thou doest, do quickly. Judas understood what these words meant, but no one else.

John 16:21

Went immediately out. It is probable that the Lord’s Supper was instituted, at this point, after Judas went out. It was, as we learn from Matthew, after the passover. Matthew’s order is as follows: (1) The Passover (Matthew 26:17-21); (2) the Exposure of Judas (Matthew 26:22-25); (3) the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-30). This is John’s order, save that he omits, because well known, to record the origin of the Lord’s Supper here, and simply tells of the departure of Judas.

John 16:22

Now is the Son of man glorified. His weary ministry is about ended, and he is to ascend his throne. His glorification begins at the cross.

John 16:25

A new commandment. The commandment to love was not new (Leviticus 19:18,34), but such love as Christ commanded was new.

John 16:26

By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples. The love and self-sacrifice of Christians has done more to extend the name of Christ than argument. In the early ages, heathen were wont to say: “See how these Christians love one another”.

John 16:27

Simon Peter said. For notes on Peter’s Denial, see Matthew 26:31-35. Compare Mr 14:29-31 Lu 22:31-34.

John 16:31

Jesus Comforts His Disciples SUMMARY OF JOHN 14: Belief as a Solace of Troubled Hearts. The House of Many Mansions. Christ the Way. Christ the Manifestation of the Father. Asking in Christ’s Name. How to Find the Father. The Test of Love. The Benediction of Peace. Let not your heart be troubled. Just before him was Gethsemane, the denial, the mock trial, the scouring and the cross; but with these in full view, such are the wonders of his love that he does not think of himself. He does not ask comfort, but he gives it. His heart is full of the sorrow of his disciples over his departure. Believe also in me. They had believed in him, but they were so confused over the prospect of his death and departure, they stumbled. He bids them to believe in him as they believed in God; to trust him even if they did not comprehend; to walk by faith rather than by sight through the darkness of that hour. To understand these words, the confusion, sorrow and despair of his disciples over his death must not be forgotten.

John 16:32

In my Father’s house are many mansions. By the “Father’s house” is meant the heavenly abode. He is about to return there, from whence he had come. I go to prepare a place for you. If the separation was to be an eternal one, he would have forewarned them. Rather, he goes before to prepare a home for them where they can all be together. The departure of Jesus was needful to open an entrance to them and use.

John 16:33

I will come again, and receive you unto myself. The reference is not to Christ’s return from the grave, but to a return from heaven, the second coming of the Lord, which is a part of the Christian faith. Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Philippians 1:23.