Yochanan 16:20

20 Omein, omein, I say to you, that there will be bechi (weeping) and avelut (mourning), but the Olam Hazeh will have simcha. You will have agmat nefesh, but your agmat nefesh (grief) will become simcha [TEHILLIM 30:6 (5)]

Yochanan 16:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you
A strong asseveration, a way of speaking often used by him, when he solemnly affirms any thing, and would assure of the truth of it, as here:

that ye shall weep and lament;
meaning at his death, when he should be removed from them, so that they should not see him; when they should be filled with inward grief on account thereof, and express it by mournful gestures, and a doleful voice; and which was fulfilled in them, ( Mark 16:10 ) ; and how pensive the two disciples were that were going to Emmaus, it is easy to observe from the account given of them;

but the world shall rejoice;
the unbelieving Jews; and not only the common people, but the chief priests, with the Scribes and elders, mocked at him, insulted him, and triumphed over him when on the cross, being glad at heart they had got him there; imagining now, that it was all over, the day was their own, and they should be no more disturbed by Christ and his followers:

and ye shall be sorrowful;
Christ repeats it again, and uses a variety of words to express the greatness of their sorrow, and the many ways in which they would signify it:

but your sorrow shall be turned into joy;
as it was, when he was raised from the dead, which was so wonderful and surprising to them, that for joy they could scarce believe their own eyes; it being a mercy unexpected, though they had been told of it, and too great for them to enjoy; yea, that very thing which was the occasion of their sorrow, became the foundation of their joy; namely, the death of Christ, salvation, and all the benefits and blessings of grace coming to them in this way.

Yochanan 16:20 In-Context

18 Therefore, they were saying, What is this, which he says, A little time? We do not have da’as of what he says.

19 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach knew that they were wanting to ask him. And he said to them, About this you inquire of one another that I said, A little time and you do not see me. And, again, a little time and you will see me?

20 Omein, omein, I say to you, that there will be bechi (weeping) and avelut (mourning), but the Olam Hazeh will have simcha. You will have agmat nefesh, but your agmat nefesh (grief) will become simcha [TEHILLIM 30:6 (5)]

21 The isha (woman) when she gives birth, has agmat nefesh (grief), [YESHAYAH 13:8; 21:3; 26:17; MICHOH 4:9; HOSHEA 13:13] because the sha’ah (hour, time) of her has come. But when she gives birth to the yeled, she no longer has zikaron of the Tribulation because of the naches that an ish was born into the Olam Hazeh.

22 Therefore, you have agmat nefesh (grief) now, [YIRMEYAH 31:12] but again I will see you, and your levavot will have rejoicing [YESHAYAH 66:14 TARGUM HASHIVIM] and the simcha of you no one takes from you.