John 16:12

12 "I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now.

John 16:12 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:12

I have yet many things to say unto you
Not with respect to the main doctrines of the Gospel, for everything of this kind he had made known unto them, ( John 15:15 ) ; but what regarded the rejection of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles, the abrogation of the Mosaic economy, and settling the Gospel church state, which were to come to pass after the death and resurrection of Christ, and the sending of the Spirit:

but ye cannot bear them now;
because of their prejudices in favour of their own nation, the law of Moses, and the ceremonies of it, and the setting up of a temporal kingdom.

John 16:12 In-Context

10 that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control;
11 that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
12 "I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now.
13 But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said.
14 He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.