The big picture
John 16 opens in verse 1 with “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 17 with “Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A…”, and closes in verse 33 with “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye…” Repeated or prominent terms include Father, world, little, shew, sorrow. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
John · King James Version · 33John 16:1-7
1–7: These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
John 16:1–7 opens with “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.” and reaches “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on John 16 develops its own movement around Father, world, little, shew, sorrow, with particular weight carried by time, told, asketh.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.” The line’s distinctive content terms include offended. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
“They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
John 16:1-7
King James Version1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4But 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.
5But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7Nevertheless 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.
John 16:8-14
8–14: When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness…
John 16:8–14 opens with “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” and reaches “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on John 16 develops its own movement around Father, world, little, shew, sorrow, with particular weight carried by judgment, righteousness, shew.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” The line’s distinctive content terms include judgment, reprove, righteousness. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
John 16:8-14
King James Version8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13Howbeit 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.
14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:15-21
15–21: All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he…
John 16:15–21 opens with “All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and…” and reaches “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on John 16 develops its own movement around Father, world, little, shew, sorrow, with particular weight carried by little, Father, sorrow.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“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.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
John 16:15-21
King James Version15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17Then 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?
18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19Now 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?
20Verily, 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.
21A 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 16:22-28
22–28: Ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart…
John 16:22–28 opens with “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and…” and reaches “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on John 16 develops its own movement around Father, world, little, shew, sorrow, with particular weight carried by Father, name, nothing.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
John 16:22-28
King James Version22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23And 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.
24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25These 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.
26At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 16:29-33
29–33: His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest…
John 16:29–33 opens with “His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.” and reaches “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on John 16 develops its own movement around Father, world, little, shew, sorrow, with particular weight carried by believe, speakest, world.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
John 16:29-33
King James Version29His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32Behold, 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.
33These 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
John 16:1 begins with “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.”
Where the chapter turns
John 16:17 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
John 16:33 leaves the reader with “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…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Father, world, little, shew, sorrow, verily help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Whose perspective receives unexpected attention?
Hagar's. The messenger finds her, names her and speaks about her future.
What does Ishmael's name commemorate?
God has heard her affliction, according to verse 11.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.