John 16

20 He told His disciples that they would weep and mourn for a time. They would weep and mourn because of His death. At the same time the world, that is, the unbelieving men of the world, would rejoice that Jesus was dead.

But then Jesus said, “Your grief will turn to joy.” Jesus’ death would bring them grief. His resurrection would bring them joy.

21 The grief of the disciples would be like the pain of woman in childbirth. The pain of childbirth is soon over, and is replaced by the joy of having a new child.

22 In the same way, the disciples would grieve for three days. Then Jesus would rise from the dead and come to them. He would breathe on them the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). And the Holy Spirit would remain with them forever (John 14:16), and give them a joy that the world could never take away (see John 15:11; Galatians 5:22).

23 In that day—that is, after Jesus rises from the dead—the disciples will not have to ask Jesus any more questions about where He is going. They will understand. Anything else they need to know will be taught them by the Holy Spirit, not by Jesus Himself (verse 13).

Furthermore, from that time on, the disciples will pray mainly to the Father.¹⁰⁸ But they must pray in Jesus’ name. If they do, the Father will give them whatever they request (see John 14:13-14 and comment). And this promise was not only for those first disciples; it is for every believer.

24 Up until then the disciples had not really asked God for anything using Jesus’ name. They had either asked Jesus directly, or they had prayed to God directly. Now, let them ask God for everything in Jesus’ name. Above all, let them ask that the Holy Spirit might fill them. Then their joy will be complete (John 15:11).

25 Up until then, Jesus had not spoken clearly to the disciples about heavenly things. It was a mystery to them. But after His resurrection, Jesus told them everything much more clearly, and they then were able to understand (see Luke 24:27, 45-46).

26 After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the disciples would begin to ask the Father for things directly. While Jesus was with them on earth, He of ten prayed to the Father on behalf of the disciples. Now they would be on their own; they would not need Jesus in person to pray for them. Through the Holy Spirit, they would be able to come directly to God.

Because of the coming of the Holy Spirit, all Christians can now make their requests directly to God. But we must make all our requests in Jesus’ name. Only because of our faith in Jesus are we worthy to come into God’s presence. Only when we pray in Jesus’ name and for His sake will God hear our prayers.

Jesus says here that He will no longer ask the Father on behalf of His disciples. He means that He will no longer do so while He is in bodily form here on earth. But we know from other New Testament verses that Jesus is now in heaven interceding for all believers before the throne of God (see Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25 and comments). This means that Jesus’ death—Jesus’ sacrifice—is interceding for us. Jesus’ presence before the Father is the proof that He has died for our sins and that we are now no longer guilty of sin. Jesus does not need to ask God to save us; He has already gained our salvation for us by dying on the cross. Jesus does not need to ask God to bless us; He has already blessed us by sending us the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ work on earth is finished. All we need to do now is to ask God directly in Jesus’ name, and God will grant our request for the sake of His Son Jesus.

27 Therefore, Christ no longer needs to pray for His disciples. The disciples can pray to God directly because God loves them. His love for them is especially great because they have loved and believed in His Son. God loves all men (John 3:16), but He especially loves His own children, that is, those who have believed in Jesus (see John 14:21 and comment).

28 Then Jesus told His disciples clearly that He had come from the Father in heaven, and that He was now about to return to His Father. This was the answer to the question the disciples had been asking each other in verses 17-18. But they hadn’t yet asked Jesus Himself. Nevertheless, Jesus knew what was in their minds (verse 19) and gave them the answer that they were looking for.

29-30 Because Jesus had answered their question before they even asked it, they realized that He had supernatural knowledge; He knew what was in their minds. That is why they said: “Now we see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. You can give the answer before we even ask.”

Because of Jesus’ knowledge of their thoughts, they believed even more strongly that He had indeed come from God.

31 “You believe at last!” said Jesus. Some versions of the Bible translate Jesus’ words: “Do you now believe?” The disciples thought they believed, but Jesus knew how weak their faith was.

32 The disciples had just confessed their faith in Jesus, but within several hours they would all flee to their homes (Mark 14:27,50).

Before we say with certainty, “I have strong faith,” let us humbly remember those eleven disciples. They were sure they had strong faith too, but they didn’t.

33 Jesus told His disciples about His going away and about the trials that were soon to come upon them, so that they would have peace in Him. Hesaid, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.” He told them not to look for peace in the world; their peace would come only from Him (see John 14:27 and comment).

Our peace is in Jesus. Our trouble is in the world. But the trouble of the world cannot destroy our peace, because Jesus has gained victory over the world—that is, over the rule and power of Satan.

I have overcome the world. What an amazing statement! Jesus knew that evil men of the world were coming to arrest Him that very night. The next day they would crucify Him. Yet the “world” could not overcome Him. Instead, He overcame the world. The cross was not a sign of defeat; it was a sign of victory over Satan.

Therefore, when trouble comes upon us, let us take heart. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we too can gain victory over Satan, over fear, doubt, sin. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37).