John 16:16-33

Jesus Predicts His Return to the Disciples

16 "A little [while] and you will see me no more, and again a little [while] and you will see me.

17 So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he is saying to us, 'A little [while] and you will not see me, and again a little [while] and you will see me,' and 'Because I am going away to the Father'?"

18 So they kept on saying, "What is this that he is saying, 'A little [while]'? We do not understand what he is speaking about!"

19 Jesus knew that they were wanting to ask him, and he said to them, "Are you deliberating with one another about this--that I said, 'A little [while], and you will not see me, and again a little [while] and you will see me'?

20 Truly, truly I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will change to joy.

21 A woman, when she gives birth, experiences pain because her hour has come. But when [her] child is born, she no longer remembers the affliction, on account of the joy that a human being has been born into the world.

22 So you also are experiencing sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

23 And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Jesus’ Victory Over the World

25 "I have said these [things] to you in figurative sayings. An hour is coming when I will speak to you in figurative sayings no longer, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.

26 On 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 have gone out from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father."

29 His disciples said, "Behold, now you are speaking {plainly} and are telling [us] no figurative saying!

30 Now we know that you know everything and do not {need for} anyone to ask you [questions]. By this we believe that you have come from God."

31 Jesus replied to them, "Now do you believe?

32 Behold, an hour is coming--and has come--that you will be scattered each one to his own [home], and you will leave me alone. And I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 I have said these [things] to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world."

Footnotes

• [a]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [b]. Literally "with plainness"
• [c]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [d]. Literally "have need that"
• [e]. *Here the word "[questions]" is not in the Greek text but is implied
• [f]. Or "to his own things"; or "to his own people" (i.e., family); the Greek text is somewhat ambiguous here