John 16:1

1 These things I have spoken unto you that ye may not be offended.

John 16:1 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:1

These things have I spoken unto you
Concerning the world's hatred and persecution of them, and the little regard they would show to their doctrine: these things Christ thought, proper to give them notice of before hand, that expecting them, they might be prepared for them, and be fortified against them;

that,
says he,

ye should not be offended:
his view in speaking of them, was not to discourage them, but to prevent their stumbling at them, and falling by them. Hardships coming upon persons at unawares, bear the harder upon their spirits, and they are more apt to take offence at them and be impatient under them, which is prevented by previous intimation: had Christ said nothing of these things that should befall his disciples, they might have surprised them, and have been a stumbling to them; and might have tempted them to have relinquished their profession of him, and dropped their ministerial work; whereas being apprized of them before hand, they were not so shocking to them. This shows the tender concern of Christ for his disciples, how careful he was to remove, every occasion of stumbling, or what might be matter of offence to them; and may teach us to act in such like manner towards one another, in this, or any other case.

John 16:1 In-Context

1 These things I have spoken unto you that ye may not be offended.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues; but the hour is coming that every one who kills you will think to render service to God;

3 and these things they will do because they have not known the Father nor me.

4 But I have spoken these things to you, that when their hour shall have come, ye may remember them, that I have said [them] unto you. But I did not say these things unto you from [the] beginning, because I was with you.

5 But now I go to him that has sent me, and none of you demands of me, Where goest thou?

Footnotes

• [a]. Verb from skandalon: see Note, Matt. 13.57.