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In this lesson:
It is still Thursday evening. The third and final farewell discourse begins. Sorrow will turn to joy (16:19-24). Count and memorize the promises made by Jesus in this and the next lesson. Study Tip: Find the truth in each passage of the Bible. Decide how that truth is relevant to you. Determine how you can apply that truth to your life. |
By the German artist Heinrich Hoffman (1824-1911).
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The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 16:5-24
"Ye shall receive." 5 But now I go 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. 7 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. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, 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. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 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. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father 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 see 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 sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 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. 22 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. 23 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. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. |
Margin notes:
"None of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?" (16:5) - "Not one of you asked me where I'm going." It is expedient for you that I go away." (16:7) - Means, "It is better for you (mankind) that I go away (be sacrificed on the cross)." "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." (16:7) - Jesus must be crucified for the Holy Spirit to come and our sins to be forgiven. "And when he is come." (16:8) - The Holy Spirit came to the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12). His mission, to "dwell" within the disciples (14:17), "teach" them the truth (14:26; 16:13), show them the "things to come" (6:13) and to "glorify" Christ (16:14). "He will reprove the world of sin." (16:8) - "He will convict the world of sin." "Of sin, because they believe not on me." (16:9) - "The sin of not believing in Me." "Righteousness, because I go to my Father." (16:10) - We found righteousness when Jesus was put to death for our sins (1 Peter 3:18). "The prince of this world is judged." (16:11) - "Satan has already been judged." "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." (16:12) - "I have many things to tell you, but you wouldn't understand them now." It won't be until after the resurrection that things will be made clear to the disciples. "Howbeit." (16:13) - Means, "however." "The Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth....." (16:13) - The Holy Spirit dwells within believers to teach and guide them (John 14:17; 14:26). "All things that the Father hath are mine." (16:15) - God has given "all things" to Jesus (Luke 10:22; John 3:35). "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me." (16:16) - Jesus is referring to His death and resurrection. "We cannot tell what he saith." (16:18) - "We don't understand what He said." "Verily." (16:20) - "Truly." "The world shall rejoice." (16:20) - Evil celebrated the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. "But your sorrow shall be turned into joy." (16:20) - When the disciples see that Jesus is resurrected. "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow." (16:21) - "A woman in labor suffers pain." "She remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born." (16:21) - "She forgets the anguish for the joy that a person is born." Jesus is preparing His disciples to carry on His ministry after He is crucified. There was anguish, disillusionment, and heartache during and after the crucifixion. When Jesus was resurrected, however, there was rejoicing. "Hitherto." (16:24) - "Until now." "Ask, and ye shall receive." (16:24) - Trust the power of prayer. Turn to God when in crisis or need of spiritual guidance. He will answer your prayers. But remember, even if God's answer isn't the one you for praying for, it will always be in your best interest. Jesus repeatedly told His followers to "ask" (Matthew 7:7-8; Mark 11:24; John 14:13; 15:7. "Your joy may be full." (16:24) - Jesus is repeating this for emphasis from John 15:11. See also 1 John 1:4. |
New Living Translation
John 16:5-24
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 "But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.
6 Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you.
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
9 The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
16 "In a little while you won't see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again."
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, "What does he mean when he says, 'In a little while you won't see me, but then you will see me,' and 'I am going to the Father'?
18 And what does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand."
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, "Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won't see me, but a little while after that you will see me again.
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.
21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.
22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
23 At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.
24 You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 "But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.
6 Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you.
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
9 The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
16 "In a little while you won't see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again."
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, "What does he mean when he says, 'In a little while you won't see me, but then you will see me,' and 'I am going to the Father'?
18 And what does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand."
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, "Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won't see me, but a little while after that you will see me again.
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.
21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.
22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
23 At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.
24 You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"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." (16:7-8)
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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." (16:12-13)
"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. 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." (16:21-22)
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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." (16:12-13)
"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. 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." (16:21-22)
Today's Question:
1. Why the farewell discourse?
Spend time exploring the Bible on your own.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The final discourse was Jesus' last address to His disciples. It was important for Christ to warn them of the persecution they would face as Christians. But more importantly, Jesus told the disciples that despite their sorrow when He is crucified, it was better for humanity that He be sacrificed on the cross (16:7-8). With His death, the door to salvation was opened to all who accept Jesus.
1. Why the farewell discourse?
Spend time exploring the Bible on your own.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The final discourse was Jesus' last address to His disciples. It was important for Christ to warn them of the persecution they would face as Christians. But more importantly, Jesus told the disciples that despite their sorrow when He is crucified, it was better for humanity that He be sacrificed on the cross (16:7-8). With His death, the door to salvation was opened to all who accept Jesus.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke