John 16

John 13–17 contains Jesus' Farewell Discourse (the words he left his disciples as he prepared to part from them), which began at the Last Supper. Chapter 16 forms the final section of the teaching within that discourse. It continues the warning of persecution and the promise of the Comforter's witness at the end of chapter 15, and it is followed by the prayer of chapter 17.

Outline

• Verses 1–4 Jesus foretells that the disciples will be put out of the synagogues (excommunication) and that the time will come when whoever kills them will think that he does God service. He says he is telling them beforehand so that they will remember when it happens.
• Verses 5–7 Jesus says that his departure is expedient for the disciples. Only if he goes away will the Comforter come, and Jesus will send him.
• Verses 8–11 The Comforter will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.
• Verses 12–15 The Spirit of truth will guide the disciples into all truth and will glorify Jesus.
• Verses 16–19 The disciples question one another about the saying, "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me."
• Verses 20–24 Jesus illustrates the promise that sorrow will be turned into joy with the image of a woman in travail, and he tells the disciples to ask the Father in his name (John 16:23–24).
• Verses 25–28 Jesus says the time is coming when he will no longer speak in proverbs (figures of speech) but will speak plainly, and he tells them that the Father himself loves them.
• Verses 29–33 The disciples confess that they believe, but Jesus foretells that they will be scattered and will leave him alone. Even so, he promises them peace and declares that he has overcome the world.

Key Verses

• John 16:7 "It is expedient for you that I go away": this verse links Jesus' departure with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
• John 16:13 "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth": this is a central verse in discussions of the Spirit's teaching role.
• John 16:33 "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world": these words of comfort bring the Farewell Discourse to a close.

Characters and Places

• Jesus Christ: teaches as his departure approaches.
• The disciples: those of the Twelve Disciples who remained present. Unable to understand Jesus' words, they question one another.
• The Comforter (the one who comes alongside to help): also called "the Spirit of truth."
• The prince of this world: commonly understood to refer to Satan.
• No place names appear in the text.

Points for Reflection

• Many interpreters read "a little while" (verses 16–22) as referring to the reunion after Jesus' death and resurrection. Others read it as also encompassing the coming of the Spirit or even the Second Coming.
• Regarding the promise of verse 13, the Reformed tradition tends to view it as given primarily to the apostles and connects it with the writing of the New Testament. Pentecostal and charismatic traditions emphasize it as the Spirit's guidance that continues for believers today (see Cessationism and Continuationism).
• "I will send him" in verse 7, together with John 15:26, is cited in the debate over the procession of the Holy Spirit. This question was one of the issues in the background of the East–West Schism.
• The coming of the Spirit leads to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The scattering in verse 32 is connected with the disciples' flight when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50).

In the Korean Church

Verse 33 is frequently quoted to comfort church members facing hardship. Verses 7–15 are used as a sermon text for Pentecost Sunday. Verses 23–24 are also cited as supporting texts when explaining the custom of closing prayers "in Jesus' name."