New Testament Commentary - John 16

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 16 Jesus discourses on mission of Holy Ghost—He tells of his death and resurrection, announces his own Sonship, and says he has overcome the world.
1 THESE things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be ^aoffended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever ^akilleth you will think that he doeth God service^a. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not ^aknown the Father, nor me.	2^a whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service This was the case in respect to Saul who is Paul. He considered that he was waging God's battle against the false religion of Christianity. Now just how honest each of the various murderers actualy were, it must be left up to God to determine. In consideration to the killing of the Apostles in the early church, one cannot help but reflect upon the parallel persecution of the saints in the early restored church and that some of the men who so persectuted the church did also so proclaim that it was a service unto God which they did perform. Again, as to the true intents or as to an excuse, it is left to God's judgement to determine against them.	1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
4 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. 5 But now I ^ago my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is ^aexpedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the ^bComforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will ^areprove the world of sin, and of ^brighteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of ^asin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
12 I have yet many things to ^asay unto you, but ye cannot ^bbear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the ^aSpirit of truth, is come, he will ^bguide you into all ^ctruth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will ^dshew you things to come.
14 He shall ^aglorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All ^athings that the ^bFather hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall ^asee me, because I go to the Father. 17 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? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 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? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your ^asorrow shall be turned into ^bjoy.
21 A ^awoman 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. 22 And ye now therefore have ^asorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your ^bjoy no man taketh from you.
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. ^aVerily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ^bask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ^aask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in ^aproverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself ^aloveth you, because ye have loved me, and have ^bbelieved that I came out from God.
28 I ^acame ^bforth from the ^cFather, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou ^aknowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32 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 ^aalone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have ^apeace. In the ^bworld ye shall have ^ctribulation: but be of good ^dcheer; I have ^eovercome the world.