John 16:16-31

Sorrow into Joy (v.16-24)

Observation:

v.16 - Jesus points to his death and resurrection.

v.17 - The disciples were confused and still have a lack of understanding as to what he is about to accomplish.

v.18 - The disciples confirm they do not know what he is talking about.

v. 19-21 - Jesus knew their confusion and tells them they will weep and lament at his death while the world will rejoice at his death. However, their sorrow will turn into joy at his resurrection.

He then gives a small analogy or parable in the form of comparing what the disciples will experience to that of a woman giving birth. While she is in the pain of delivery, she is in anguish, but once the baby comes she is no longer in pain and rejoices.

This is rich in the history of Old Testament language (Is. 21:2-3, 26:16-21, 66:7-14 (look at this one), Je. 13:21, Mi. 4:9-10). Isaiah 26:16-21 is also particularly important because it combines the figure of the woman in childbirth, the words “a little while’ and the promise of the resurrection.

This is the promise of the inbreaking of the kingdom and points toward the ultimate consummation.

The Gospel according to John 4. The Prospect of Joy beyond the Trouble of This World (16:16–33)

The Greek behind and you will rejoice might more literally be rendered ‘and your heart will rejoice’ (kai charēsetai hymōn hē kardia): exactly the same words are found in Isaiah 66:14, in the context of promises of the consummation

v. 22 - The disciples are actually sorrowful in the moment. Jesus has been telling them difficult things and they don’t understand why he is talking in this way. But the promise remains that when Jesus sees them again they will rejoice because at that time they will be granted (after the coming of the Spirit, which he hits in John 17) understanding.

v. 23 - In that day (the coming of the Spirit), they will no longer ask Jesus for things, because they will rightly understand the work of God. They will ask the Father, it will be given to them through the Son, and made possible by the work of the Spirit within them.

v.24 - To this point they have not asked in the name of Jesus; rather, they have asked Jesus himself. Jesus points toward what they will have one day, which is more than they possibly realize. And he does it for the purpose of their joy. The only way they will experience the joy is through the triune work of God. What Jesus is going to accomplish is necessary in order for them to understand, have joy, and, ultimately, have life.

Interpretation:

The whole work of Jesus—incarnation, life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and promised return—are necessary. He is the only one able to accomplish the work required for understanding, joy, and, ultimately, life.

It is through the Triune work of God that those who come to him by faith have access to these things.

The work of Jesus at his resurrection provides joy and life because we know that in him new creation has begun. It is only at his resurrection that this happens, and it points toward a day that all things will be made new.

As a people in the already/not-yet, we have a reason for joy and not sorrow. We realize that because the kingdom is not-yet how it will be one day, we will have sorrow due to the results of sin. However, as we remember the gospel and all the benefits that have been given to us because of Christ, we have, more than anyone else, reason to rejoice and have joy.

Application:

Do you regularly experience joy or sorrow? Why? What steps do we need to take in order to experience joy?

Do we rely on the Spirit of God to help us have understanding, joy, and life? Understanding should lead to joy, joy should lead to life.

Are we willing to ask for things in the name of Jesus? How is it that we can ask and receive?

Overcome the world (v. 25-33)

Observation:

v.25 - The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. When he refers to figure of speech, he doesn’t mean in parables or hard sayings. We know that Mark 4:33-34 tells us that Jesus spoke in parables to confuse people but would explain them to his disciples. The problem, however, is that even once they got the explanation, they still did not understand what he was talking about. There is a day coming, however, when he will speak plainly about the Father.

This work is and can only happen through the Spirit. We notice that Jesus has very plainly been speaking to them about a lot of things, but they don’t understand any of it. It wasn’t because they were dumb, but they were literally incapable because they didn’t have the Spirit of God to reveal to them these things.

v. 26-27 - In that day refers to the day of not just his resurrection, but the coming of the Holy Spirit. Once that happens, they will fully understand the nature of the work Jesus has been talking about, and they will ask rightly in accordance to the economy of God.

The love of the Father will be given to them because of the Son. The Father loves them because they love the Son.

v.28 - This speaks to the full nature of Jesus’ mission. The incarnation, life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and eventual return.

v.29-30 - The disciples think they get it. On one level, they do believe Jesus came from God. On another, they don’t believe that he is God.

v.31-33 - Jesus knows they don’t understand. If they did believe, they wouldn’t desert him at the hour of his death. But they will all abandon him. However, Jesus knows the Father will never leave him.

Jesus says these hard words so they will have peace. You have to imagine that after they leave him, they are scared he will not accept them once they realize he raised from the dead. Jesus is giving them words of assurance and hope.

Once they understand that he will never leave or forsake them, they should have much peace and hope in a world of tribulation, because Jesus, through his resurrection, has defeated death and the world. And new creation is coming.

The Gospel according to John (4. The Prospect of Joy beyond the Trouble of This World (16:16–33))

The impending disaster is again announced in terms of the coming hōra (‘hour’), but this hour has come—it is even nearer than the hour for plain speaking predicted in v. 25. The disciples’ temporary defection is cast in the language of Zechariah 13:7, specifically quoted in Mark 14:27 par.; cf. Mark 14:50. But however badly he will be abandoned by his disciples, Jesus is assured of his Father’s support: Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me (cf. 8:16, 29).

Interpretation:

Because of the work of Jesus, we are able to be loved by the Father.

Because of the work of Jesus, we can have hope and peace in this world.

Because of the work of Jesus, we are not alone.

Because of the work of Jesus, we can know that new creation is coming.

Application:

What prevents you from feeling the love of the Father?

What prevents you from having peace?

What times in your walk with God do you feel alone?

In what ways do you need to live in there here and now how you will be free to live one day?