Commentary on the Gospel of John Chapter Sixteen-

A Commentary on the Gospel of John Sixteen
John Chapter 16:1-33
by Cooper Abrams
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           "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." (John 16:1-3)
           Jesus continues His discourse concerning the persecution they will face as His disciples. He explains His reason for telling them of these things was that when the persecutions come the would not stumble. Later Paul would explain, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12) Peter also cautioned believers saying, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:12-13)
           It is common today to think that if Christians are being mistreated or persecuted in our day it is a "strange thing." Yet, all around the world Christians are being persecuted and murdered for their faith in Jesus Christ. It has been going on for two thousand years and will continue until the Lord returns. American's have been spared physical persecutions until now, but today believers are shunned and ridiculed for their faith. That does not mean all Christians, but it means the ones who believe God's word and live by it. That is what Peter told Timothy. There is a powerful asserted effort in America to remove anything biblical Christian teaching or symbols from society. These forces who hate God and the Lord Jesus are rapidly gaining influence and power. It will be soon when the discrimination will become violate and oppressive.
           Jesus had explained to His disciple He was leaving and even though He would be resurrected showing beyond all doubt He was the Messiah, most of the Jews would reject Him. They would not just not believe, but would attack any who did believe and follow the Lord Jesus. He explained the degree of the persecution would include putting them out of the Jewish synagogues and in time they killing believers. It was a serious matter to expelled from the synagogue and had the effect of excommunications. The act supposedly cut them off from God, but did cut the Jews off socially from their families and friends. Today the cults practice the same procedure including the Roman Catholic church. It then becomes a matter of one's dedication and commitment to the Lord to continue uphold one's profession of faith in the face of such opposition.
           Jesus states these who are so zealous in their opposition of the Lord are not saved. They do not know the Lord and persecute true believers in God's name. Paul encouraged the Philippians who were suffering for their faith saying, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29) Paul exhorted Timothy to command and teach this truth to his congregation, "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (1 Timothy 4:9-10)
           "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. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart." (John 16:4-6)
           It is doubtful the disciple fully understood what the Lord was telling them, but He explains that later when the persecution came they would remember. The next sentence may give some light on the fact that until now the disciples were not being targeted by the Jewish leaders. Jesus said He had not told them of these things before because He was with them. It seems to imply that He was protecting them up to the point. Peter had asked earlier in John 13:36 where the Lord the Lord was going, but the Lord did not explain. The Lord's statement about why they were not asking where He was going showed they did not understand that He was leaving and going to heaven. In John 13:36 Peter's question amounted to asking the Lord where on earth or Israel was He going. He said plainly in John 14:1-4 He was going to heaven to prepare a place for them. Could it be they did not understand He was referring to heaven then and not some place on earth which would be part of the promised kingdom?
           They were effected by His statements. It seems this truth of His leaving had now sunken in and they accepted He was truly leaving. It seems the did not understand where He was going.
           "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. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." (John 16:7-12)
           This is the third reference the Lord makes to the coming of the Holy Spirit. (See John 14:15-21, 26; 15:26) He earlier explained that He would not leave them by themselves or comfortless, but would send the "parakletos" or Comforter who would abide with them forever and indwell them. This time He explains more of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would:

1. Reproved the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
2. He would reprove sin because they did not believe in the Lord.
3. He would reprove them of righteousness because Jesus would not be on earth to admonish them of sin.
4. He would reprove them of judgment because Satan, the prince of the world, is the author of sin and those that reject Christ are following him in unbelief, thus being on themselves the condemnation of God.

           The many things He could not say to them at this time pertained to the believers and their relationship with Him. Further, these many things are the doctrines and principles that are the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Later through apostles and the writers of the New Testament He would reveal to all the full extent of the Gospel. John began this Gospel stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
           "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. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:13-14)
           In John 16:13, Jesus continues by saying, "however" or howbeit " when the Spirit of truth is come He will guide you to all truth." This statement attests to the inspiration of the scriptures. The New Testament proclaims, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The work of the Holy Spirit in inspiring the word of God is clearly stated by Peter, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21)
           Note the Holy Spirit is referred to with the masculine pronoun "he." The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ on earth. He is the third member of the Trinity who had an active part in the Creation with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:3-4, Col. 1:17) We must understand that God the Father is the source of all truth and it is His plan the Lord Jesus was carrying out. Jesus repeatedly stated He was doing the will of His Father. The Holy Spirit then empowers the believer and indwells him giving him the new nature of Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) The Holy Ghost or Spirit is mentioned one hundred and eighty three times in the New Testament in eighty nine verses revealing His work in all aspects of God's important work in carrying out God's will.
           The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself. In other words His ministry is in revealing God's word and revealing the Father's truth to the world including the future. Further, the Holy Spirit is a minister who glorified the Lord Jesus Christ in revealing God's truth and the Gospel. He empowers and enables men to receive the Lord Jesus Christ by being conviction to their hearts. Jesus said that all the Father has is His also which plainly speaks of this deity as God the Father incarnate in flesh. Thus the Holy Spirit is to take what is the Lord's and shew it or reveal it to the disciples and subsequently to the world.
           "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 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? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith." (John 16:16-18)
           Once again the Lord remains them that in a short time He would not be with them. The statement indicates that He was telling them that He would shortly be crucified and suffer and die for the sins of the world. However, He would again be with them for a short time and then go to the Father.
           "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? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith." (John 16:17-18)
           The reaction to Jesus' statement shows the disciples did not understand what the Lord had repeatedly explained to them. If they had truly listened to what he had been teaching them since the beginning of this discourse they would have understood. However, they listened to what He said, but through their preconceived idea of what the Messiah would do. They saw Jesus as a political savior of the nation of Israel. They did not understand that He would bear the sins of the world through His suffering, death on the cross, resurrection.
           "Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire 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." (John 16:19-21)
           Jesus knew their hearts and though it does not appear they understood what was happening, the Lord was preparing them for the coming events. Once the Lord was betrayed, crucified, and risen they would know and remember His word. Jesus explained in John 14:26, that the Holy Spirit would bring to them the remembrance of what He was telling them.
           In John 15:18-27 Jesus had told them that the world would hate them as they had hated Him. In verse 20 He again tells them that although they would sorry at His suffering and death the world would rejoice. However, after His resurrection they would rejoice. They wanted to ask Him the meaning of what He had said, but were hesitant so the Lord used the illustration of a woman in child birth. Before the child is born the woman is anxious anticipating the pain, but that after the child is born the pain is forgotten.
           "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:22-24)
           Jesus knew that when He was crucified it would be a devastating thing for them. They had been with Him for three years and had not understood that He would shortly be betrayed and crucified for the sins of the world. Jesus had said in John 3:16 that "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) But it is clear they did not understand what the phrase "gave his only begotten Son" meant. In John 11:16, when Jesus told them He was going to Bethany to raise Lazarus, Thomas understanding the danger the Lord faced from the Jewish leaders said ". . . Let us also go, that we may die with him." (John 11:16) Jesus several times mention that He would die, but He did not mention what His death would accomplish. Later, both John and Paul state this truth.

           "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4)
           "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

           John recorded the Lord's statement concerning His death and resurrection in John 2. Jesus said, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19) John noted that is was only after His resurrection they remembered and understood His statement.
           To understand that Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection was the propitiation for the sins of the world before the actual event one must go to the Isaiah 53. "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. . . .Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:5, 10-11)
           Also, in the temple sacrifices the unmistakenable picture and message was that there must be the shedding of blood, meaning to giving of life to atone for sins.
           "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. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father." (John 16:25-28)
           The disciples being Jews and raised in Judaism heard the Lord's teachings and only understood them in the context of what they had been taught all their lives. As previous mentioned they did not understand what was actually happening. Jesus had taught them in parables (proverbs) which presented the spiritual principles, but not their reverence in regard to His atoning for sin by suffering and dying on the cross. Every truth of God can be stated and understood in the context of a principle. In the word of God a principle is a primary truth unchanged by time, culture, situation. If you teach the principle a believer will be able to make the application in whatever circumstance he finds himself.
          Jesus used a parable to teach a primary principle. For example the Lord used the parable to ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 to teach that Israel during the Tribulation should be ready, meaning spiritually prepared for His return at the end of the seven years. Those that would go into the Millennial kingdom would be those who had oil in their lambs and be ready for the Bridegroom. Oil in the Bible is used to represent the Holy Spirit, meaning that the Holy Spirit was active in the person's life and they were being lead by God. Therefore the five virgins who had no oil did not have the Holy Spirit in their lives and were not saved. They had no believed. They knew the Bridegroom was coming, but their belief was not based on saving faith. If they had truly believed they would have been ready. After the Bridegroom arrived they were not there or ready and were not allowed to enter the Millennium. Parables teach only one point or principle, not multiple one's. The point of Jesus' parable was that He would return and if they were to be saved and be a part of the coming kingdom they must believe and be prepared.
          Therefore to prepare His disciple for His coming betrayal, suffering, death, resurrection and return to heaven He used parables to teach principles they would soon coming to apply. Jesus thus told explained to them that after His resurrection, He would not speak in parables anymore, but plainly show them God's plan. Jesus told them they would pray for understanding, by asking the Father in His name and He would intercede for them with the Lord. He them explains the reason for God's answering their prayers, which was they loved the Lord Jesus and believed in Him, thus the Lord would bless them with understanding as their served Him. Once again Jesus reminded them that He would be returning to the Father in heaven.
          "His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by thiselieve that thou camest forth from God." (John 16:29-30)
          The disciples responded in the affirmative. As John 16:16 had stated they did not understand His statement about "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me." They were please that now He said He would speak plainly without riddles so they could understand. It shows they sincerely wanted to understand. The Lord's statement showed them that He fully understood that they did not understand. His statement assured them that in time they would know fully what He was telling them.
           "Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 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." (John 16:31-33)
           Jesus' question was to challenge them. He basically ask them "Do you really believe, now." Jesus knew the trials that awaited them that at that moment they were unaware. It seems they answer that they believed was made in self confidence and they had not been tested. Jesus points out they should would soon be tested and the implication was they would wain in their "head" belief. He was seeking to prepared them for the events of the coming three days in which He would be captured, tried and crucified. Their self-confidence, that was not from true faith in the Lord's words, would not stand up to the disappointment and confusion this would cause them. Yet, He is telling them what would happen to prepare them and give them peace in this difficult time ahead.
           The peace He speaks of would come when they saw Him resurrected and knew His suffering and death had paid the penalty for sins. They would then put their trust in Him and not in their Jewish heritage or in keeping the law. They would then understand what God was doing and be of good cheer, because they knew that Jesus had overcome sin and the world. They would then see Jesus as the true Messiah, would God had sent to conquer sin and offer redemption to men. The proof of their understanding after His resurrection that they went forth into the world preaching the Gospel, which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They boldly proclaimed that He was God, come in the flesh and that He had conquered sin and death and that through simple faith in Him a man could have his sins forgiven and receive eternal life. Only true sincere heart felt faith saved and the proof of their faith was that each of His disciples would be martyred because of their testimony except for John. God protected John from death, because His plan was use John to write the Gospel, Epistles and Book of Revelation.

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