THESE THINGS - The things spoken in the two previous chapters, promising them divine aid and directing them in the path of duty. BE OFFENDED - For the meaning of the word offend, see the notes at Matthew 5:29. It means here the same as to stumble or fall - that is, to apostatize. He proceeds immedia... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUES - See the notes at John 9:22. They would excommunicate them from their religious assemblies. This was often done. Compare Acts 6:13; Acts 9:23; Acts 17:5; Acts 21:27. WHOSOEVER KILLETH YOU - This refers principally to the Jews. It is also true of the Gentiles, that in their pe... [ Continue Reading ]
See John 15:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS - These things which are about to happen, John 16:1. He had foretold them that they would take place. YE MAY REMEMBER ... - By calling to mind that he had foretold these things they would perceive that he was omniscient, and would remember, also, the consolations which he had afforded... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I GO MY WAY - Now I am about to die and leave you, and it is proper to announce all these things to you. NONE OF YOU ASKETH ME ... - They gave themselves up to grief instead of inquiring why he was about to leave them. Had they made the inquiry, he was ready to answer them and to comfort them.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU ... - The reason why it was expedient for them that he should go away, he states to be, that in this way only would the Comforter be granted to them. Still, it may be asked why the presence of the Holy Spirit was more valuable to them than that of the Saviour himself? To this... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WILL REPROVE - The word translated “reprove” means commonly to demonstrate by argument, to prove, to persuade anyone to do a thing by presenting reasons. It hence means also to convince of anything, and particularly to convince of crime. This is its meaning here. He will convince or convict the w... [ Continue Reading ]
OF SIN - The first thing specified of which the world would be convinced is sin. Sin, in general, is any violation of a law of God, but the particular sin of which men are here said to be convinced is that of rejecting the Lord Jesus. This is placed first, and is deemed the sin of chief magnitude, a... [ Continue Reading ]
OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - This seems clearly to refer to the righteousness or innocence of Jesus himself. He was now persecuted. He was soon to be arraigned on heavy charges, and condemned by the highest authority of the nation as guilty. Yet, though condemned, he says that the Holy Spirit would descend an... [ Continue Reading ]
OF JUDGMENT - That God is just, and will execute judgment. This is proved by what he immediately states. THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD - Satan. See the notes at John 12:31. The death of Christ was a judgment or a condemnation of Satan. In this struggle Jesus gained the victory and subdued the great enemy... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE YET MANY THINGS TO SAY ... - There were many things pertaining to the work of the Spirit and the establishment of religion which might be said. Jesus had given them the outline; he had presented to them the great doctrines of the system, but he had not gone into details. These were things whi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH - So called because he would teach them all necessary truth. WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH - That is, truth which pertained to the establishment of the Christian system, which they were not then prepared to hear. We may here remark that this is a full promise that they would be i... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL GLORIFY ME - Shall honor me. The nature of his influence shall be such as to exalt my character and work in view of the mind. SHALL RECEIVE OF MINE - Literally, “shall take of or from me.” He shall receive his commission and instructions as an ambassador from me, to do my will and complete my... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THINGS ... - See Matthew 28:18; Matthew 11:27. No one could have said this who was not equal with the Father. The union was so intimate, though mysterious, that it might with propriety be said that whatever was done in relation to the Son, was also done in regard to the Father. See John 14:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
A LITTLE WHILE - His death would occur in a short time. It took place the next day. See John 14:19. YE SHALL NOT SEE ME - That is, he would be concealed from their view in the tomb. AND AGAIN A LITTLE WHILE - After three days he would rise again and appear to their view. BECAUSE I GO ... - Because... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL WEEP ... - At my crucifixion, sufferings, and death. Compare Luke 23:27. THE WORLD - Wicked men. The term world is frequently used in this sense. See John 16:8. It refers particularly, here, to the Jews who sought his death, and who would rejoice that their object was obtained. SHALL BE TU... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN - After my resurrection. YOUR JOY NO MAN TAKETH FROM YOU - You shall be so firmly persuaded that I have risen and that I am the Messiah, that neither the threats nor persecutions of men shall ever be able to shake your faith and produce doubt or unbelief, and thus take away you... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY - After my resurrection and ascension. YE SHALL ASK ME NOTHING - The word rendered “ask” here may have two significations, one to ask by way of inquiry, the other to ask for assistance. Perhaps there is reference here to both these senses. While he was with them they had been accustomed... [ Continue Reading ]
HITHERTO - During his ministry, and while he was with them. HAVE YE ASKED ... - From the evangelists, as well as from this declaration, it seems that they had presented their requests for instruction and aid to Jesus himself. If they had prayed to God, it is probable that they had not done it in hi... [ Continue Reading ]
IN PROVERBS - In a manner that appears obscure, enigmatical, and difficult to be understood. It is worthy of remark, that though his declarations in these chapters about his death and resurrection appear to us to be plain, yet to the apostles, filled with Jewish prejudices, and unwilling to believe... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAY NOT UNTO YOU THAT I WILL PRAY ... - In John 14:16, Jesus says that he would pray the Father, and that he would send the Comforter. In John 17 he offered a memorable prayer for them. In Hebrews 7:25, it is said that Jesus ever liveth to make intercession for us; and it is constantly represented... [ Continue Reading ]
See John 14:21, John 14:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
I CAME FORTH FROM THE FATHER - I came sent by the Father. AND AM COME INTO THE WORLD - See John 3:19; John 6:14, John 6:62; John 9:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW SPEAKEST THOU PLAINLY - What he had said that perplexed them was that which is contained in John 16:16. Compare John 16:17; “A little while and ye shall not see me,” etc. This he had now explained by saying John 16:28, “Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” In this there was no ambigu... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW ARE WE SURE THAT THOU KNOWEST ... - Their difficulty had been to understand what was the meaning of his declaration in John 16:16. About this they conversed among themselves, John 16:17. It is evident that they had not mentioned their difficulty to him, and that he had not even heard their conve... [ Continue Reading ]
DO YE NOW BELIEVE? - Do you truly and really believe? This question was evidently asked to put them on a full examination of their hearts. Though they supposed that they had unshaken faith - faith that would endure every trial, yet he told them that they were about to go through scenes that would te... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUR COMETH - To wit, on the next day, when he was crucified. YE SHALL BE SCATTERED - See Matthew 26:31. EVERY MAN TO HIS OWN - That is, as in the margin, to his own home. You shall see me die, and suppose that my work is defeated, and return to your own dwellings. It is probable that the two... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ME - In my presence, and in the aid which I shall render you by the Holy Spirit. IN THE WORLD - Among the men to whom you are going. You must expect to be persecuted, afflicted, tormented. I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD - He overcame the prince of this world by his death, John 12:31. He vanquished th... [ Continue Reading ]