Scripture
1“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
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. 6Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate[1] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11Judgment 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. 13When 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. 14He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15All 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.”
17Some 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’? 18And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”
19Jesus 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. 20I 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. 21It 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. 22So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23At 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. 24You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
25“I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.[2] 28Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Translation notes (2)
- 16:7 Or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete.
- 16:27 Some manuscripts read from the Father.
33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
When Jesus called His disciples, some might have expected life to be easy for them. After all, they were with Jesus, the Son of God, who could do anything and remove any pain or heartache. This was, however, not the case. Instead, life became more difficult for the disciples. They had to sacrifice a lot and made plenty of powerful enemies. The truth is Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. He did promise, however, that He had overcome the world.
Jesus taught His disciples that life would be difficult for His followers. In John 16, He explained that His death was imminent and that things would be difficult for Him and His disciples. After explaining these things, He said, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (verse 33). In other words, Jesus is telling His disciples what to expect. This world will be full of trials and sadness (this is not good news), but He quickly tells them to be encouraged because He has overcome the world. Even though this world will produce pain and sorrow, Jesus has overcome it. Notice the verb tense of the word "have." Jesus does not say, "I will overcome the world." He has overcome it. He's already done it!
What are you facing today? Are you feeling the pain and sorrow resulting from the sin in this world? My friend, even on the darkest day, you have this hope: Jesus has overcome the world. You do not have to live your life hopelessly. Remember, you've seen a glimpse of the end, and Jesus has overcome everything. One day, in the words of C.S. Lewis, "wrong will be made right." This is the hope that you have to cling to.
Moving toward action
How have you seen life become more difficult since you began following Jesus? Despite the hardship you are facing, do not lose hope! Jesus has overcome the world. Take time today to memorize John 16:33, so you can easily recall it during challenging times.
Going Deeper
John 16:1-33 (NLT)
Loading saved progress…
Your place is saved in this browser. It will not follow you to another device, and clearing browser data removes it.