25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.
John 16:25–33 (ESV)
26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;
27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!
30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
In this exchange, Jesus is talking just to his disciples. We’ll see that they are just coming to believe that Jesus is the Son of God because of His knowledge of future events and because he seemed to know all the questions they had and everything they were anxious about.
We’ve heard Jesus teaching the crowds in parables and then explaining them to His disciples privately but here He is speaking plainly to them about his return to heaven and Pentecost with the coming of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He is reassuring them that then they will understand more with the Holy Spirit’s help.
26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;
John 16:26-28 (ESV)
27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
V26&27 Up to this point the disciples have relied on Jesus’ relationship with the Father much like a child’s reliance on their parent’s faith and relationship with God early in their life. And if Jesus is returning to His Father, where does that leave them? Jesus understood this fear and comforted them by describing a relationship with the Father that was available to them (direct access pass).
V28 Here Jesus sums up his mission that is coming to an end. But Jesus still makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25) before His Father. Jesus was preparing the disciples for the reality that his death would allow them direct access to the Father in prayer and that they ought to make use of it (Hebrews 10:19–25)! The Father himself would respond to the disciples because, as Jesus said, “The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” All who love Jesus and believe in him as God’s Son are loved by the Father. Why? Because they have loved him whom the Father dearly loves. God remembers our faithfulness to his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus not only encouraged the disciples to love him and remain faithful, but he also reminds us of our privileged access to the Father. We too should be encouraged and comforted by Jesus’ promise.
30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”
John 16:3-32 (ESV)
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
V30&31 The disciples are starting to get it. They finally are realizing that Jesus has been trying to prepare them for His departure. You can almost see Jesus smiling saying, “Finally!” Jesus repeats the predictions of His imminent death, resurrection, and ascension. His disciples finally are convinced of Jesus’ knowledge of these events yet to take place and conclude that He must have come from God. But they still haven’t stepped into that promised relationship with the Father. This was only a first step toward a personal faith. It was more faith in who Jesus was than belief in what Jesus was telling them.
V32 Ouch! This must-have hurt the disciples. Now that they finally are starting to believe that Jesus is leaving, He adds the prediction that the disciples will “scatter” and they will Him alone. Jesus is telling them this now so when it happens they will remember and not be so discouraged because Jesus’ predictions don’t end there. Ultimately, this too would strengthen their faith – He Knows.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (ESV)
In a final note of encouragement, Jesus promised the disciples peace through their relationship with him—for he would overcome the world by rising from the grave. The world, Satan’s system that is opposed to God, will give the believers terrible trouble and opposition (tribulation). But Jesus has beaten Satan’s system, won the victory, and overcome the world. Before his own trial, Jesus could already speak of an accomplished mission, having done the complete will of His Father (Matthew 26:39). This adds impact to his victory over Satan since he not only accomplished it, he predicted it! The disciples could constantly rejoice in the victory because they were on the winning team.
Jesus summed up all he had told them this night, tying together themes from John 14:27–29; 16:1–4; and 16:9–11. With these words, he told his disciples to take courage. Despite the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. Just as Jesus’ Father did not leave him alone, Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times. Jesus wants us to know we can have peace even in the storm.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33b (ESV)
– This is The Way
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- What questions, anxiety, doubt do you have concerning your relationship with the Father? Where would you look for those assurances in God’s Word? Who could help you?
- Do you think God wants to have a personal relationship with you? If not, why not?
- If you were confident in your access to God what would be different in your prayers, your time with Him?
- Do you feel better about your relationship with God when things are going well for you? If so, what happens when all heck breaks out and nothing is going well? Or do you only go to God when things are bad?
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