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John 16

Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.

Section 3: So You Won't Fall AwayVerses 1 to 4

Section by Section

Jesus said he told them all this so they would not fall away. To fall away means to give up following him.

He warned them that they would be put out of the synagogues, the places where people met to pray. Some people would even think they were serving God by killing them.

They would do this because they did not know the Father or Jesus.

Jesus told them now so that later they would remember he had warned them.

Modern

1“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me. 4But I have told you these things so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.

Section 4: Better That I GoVerses 5 to 7

Section by Section

Now Jesus was going back to the Father who sent him. The disciples were full of sorrow.

"But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away" (16:7). For your benefit means for your good.

"Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you" (16:7).

Modern

5Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things. 7But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

Section 5: What the Spirit Will DoVerses 8 to 11

Section by Section

Jesus said the Spirit would convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. To convict means to show someone the truth about what they have done wrong.

About sin: people do not believe in Jesus.

About righteousness: Jesus is going to the Father. Righteousness means being right with God.

About judgment: "the prince of this world has been condemned" (16:11). The prince of this world means the devil. He has already lost.

Modern

8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.

Section 6: Into All TruthVerses 12 to 15

Section by Section

"I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it" (16:12).

"However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth" (16:13).

The Spirit will not speak on his own. He will speak what he hears, and tell them what is to come.

"He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you" (16:14). To disclose means to make known.

Everything the Father has belongs to Jesus too. The Spirit takes it and makes it known.

Modern

12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. 15Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.

Between sectionsVerses 16 to 33

Section by Section

This part isn't covered by the guide.

Modern

16In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.” 17Then some of His disciples asked one another, “Why is He telling us, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18They kept asking, “Why is He saying, ‘a little while’? We do not understand what He is saying.” 19Aware that they wanted to question Him, Jesus said to them, “Are you asking one another why I said, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’? 20Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and entered the world. In turn, I will leave the world and go to the Father.” 29His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech. 30Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.” 31“Do you finally believe?” Jesus replied. 32“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

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