John 16: The Advantage of Jesus' Departure and the Spirit’s Conviction
John 16 articulates the specific mission of the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It documents the 'little while' of sorrow the disciples will face during the crucifixion, which Jesus promises will be transformed into the indestructible joy of the resurrection. This chapter concludes with a declaration of victory: 'In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.'
v1-15: The Warning of Persecution and the Spirit's Mission
v16-24: Sorrow Turned to Joy: The 'Little While'
v25-33: Peace in Christ and Victory Over the World
But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Discover why it was 'expedient' for Jesus to leave so that the Spirit could empower the global mission of the Church. Begin your study with john 16 summary.
The metaphor of a woman in labor perfectly captures the transition from the 'agony' of the Cross to the 'birth' of the Resurrection era. The Word Secret is Hodēgēsei, meaning 'He will guide,' used in v13 to describe the Spirit as a guide leading us into the territory of Truth. Discover the riches with john 16 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden john 16 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
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