John 16 explained: Grief That Turns to Joy

A warning ahead of time (vv. 1-4)

Jesus warns that his followers will be put out of the synagogue and even killed by people sure they are serving God. Many scholars think John's first readers knew this painful split within the Jewish community firsthand, and Jesus says it now so it will not shake them when it comes.

Why his leaving helps (vv. 5-11)

Jesus says his going away is for their good, because then he will send the Holy Spirit, pictured as one who stands beside them to help and defend. The Spirit will show the world it is wrong about sin (refusing to trust Jesus), about who is truly in the right (Jesus, shown by his return to the Father), and about judgment (the evil ruler of this world is already condemned), though the exact sense of these lines is debated.

The Spirit guides into truth (vv. 12-15)

There is more to learn than his friends can handle yet, so the Spirit will lead them further. He brings no separate message of his own but passes on what comes from Jesus, who shares everything the Father has.

"A little while" (vv. 16-24)

Most readers take this as his coming death and then his appearing to them alive again, when their grief will turn to joy the way a mother's labor pain gives way to joy at her newborn. After that, they can ask the Father directly "in my name," usually understood as asking on the strength of their bond with Jesus.

Speaking plainly about the Father (vv. 25-30)

Jesus says he has used veiled sayings but will speak plainly, and that he is not saying he will ask the Father for them, because the Father himself loves them. His friends feel they finally understand and say they believe he came from God.

Scattered, yet given peace (vv. 31-33)

Jesus asks whether they really believe now and predicts they will scatter and leave him alone, which happens at his arrest. Yet he says the Father is with him, and he tells them that trouble in the world is certain but they can have peace in him, because he has overcome the world.

Key verse: John 16:33

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether "you will see me" points mainly to Jesus' appearances after his resurrection, to his ongoing presence through the Spirit, or to his return at the end of time.

Something to think about

When someone has warned you ahead of time about something painful, did knowing in advance change how you went through it?