JOHN 16 PERSECUTION IS COMING

I have just started chapter 19, and should be finished the entire Gospel of John shortly. Please find chapter 16 below. When I'm done, I'll post the entire Gospel of John Explained in a pdf attachment.

T H E  G O S P E L  A C C O R D I N G  T O  S A I N T J O H N

By Reginald Jacob Block

CHAPTER XVI

“1 Christ comforteth his Disciples against tribulation by the promise of the holy Ghost, and by his Resurrection and Ascension: 23 Assureth their prayers made in his Name to be acceptable to his Father. 33 Peace in Christ, and in the world affliction.”

The Translators

OVERVIEW

Jesus spake these things that the Disciples would not be offended; for, they would be thrown out of the Synagogues and killed for Jesus sake. The Jews would do this because they know not the Father nor the Son. Jesus tells the Disciples these things that when the time comes they will remember what he said.

The Disciples are sad because Jesus said he would go away; but, he says it is expedient that he go; that afterward he will send the Comforter, who will reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.

Jesus said many things to them, but they were not ready to understand them. Yet, when the spirit of truth comes, he will show them. He glorifies Christ.

In a while they will not see Jesus, but after a short while they will. Some of the Disciples were confused by this statement. He said, the world will rejoice at his leaving, but the Disciples will be sorrowful; however, upon his return, they will rejoice. And, whatever they ask in his Name, the Father will give them. The Father loves them because they love the Son.

Jesus said he came from the Father and will go back. The Disciples asked him to speak plainly, not in proverbs.

The Disciples said that they were sure Jesus knows all things.

He told them that the time would come when they would be scattered; and, they would leave him alone. He spoke these things to them that they might have peace, knowing that tribulation is coming, but he has overcome the world.

V. 1

“1 These things haue I spoken vnto you, that yee should not be offended.”

“Not be offended” means that when persecution comes, the Disciples will look back on what Jesus said, and they will know that he knows all things. Their confidence will be fully grounded in Christ, and no matter what happens, they will know that God is in charge, and that they need fear nothing. Nor should they be offended when they are maligned, insulted, tortured and even killed; for, in these things God will be glorified through them; thus, they should rejoice and praise God at persecution for his Name’s sake.

V. 2

“2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues: yea, the time commeth, that whosoeuer killeth you, will thinke that hee doeth God seruice.”

“They shall put you out” means the Scribes, Pharisees and Jews in general will put the Disciples and all professing believers out of the Synagogues. This is their demonstration of hatred for Christ, his doctrines and his followers; their total rejection of their Messiah is expressed in their disdain for true followers of Christ.

“Whosoeuer killeth you, will thinke that hee doeth God seruice;” this certainly applies to Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul), who under the authority of the Sanhedrin Council and with the blessing of Rome, arrested many Christians and had them put to death. History records groups similarly disposed to protect Jewish religion and stamp out anything they regarded blasphemy. In this, both Paul and others believed they were doing God service by killing Christians. Paul said, “I am verely a man which am a Iew, borne in Tarsus a citie in Clicia, yet brought vp in this citie at the feete of Gamaleil, and taught according to the perfect maner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous towards God, as ye all are this day. 4 And I persecuted this way vnto the death, binding and deliuering into prisons both men and women, 5 As also the high Priest doth beare me witnesse, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I receiued letters vnto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there, bound vnto Hierusalem, for to be punished.”(Acts 22:3-5)

V. 3

“3 And these things will they doe vnto you, because they haue not knowen the Father, nor me.”

This refers specifically to the Jews who claimed to know the Father; but did not, or they would have known Jesus. Despite Jesus meeting all the biblical requirements for Messiah, they rejected him because he came not to conquer, but to save. And though, when Christ returns a second time, he will come as conquering Messiah, the Jews ignored the Old Testament prophecies of his betrayal, crucifixion, death and resurrection that would precede his second coming as conqueror and judge. Furthermore, they did not understand that his eternal kingdom was not earthly, but heavenly (Hebrews 11:16 & 12:22). Had they believed what Moses and the Prophets (John 5:46) wrote of Christ, they would have believed Jesus; and, if they believed him, they would know the Father; for to know one is to know the other.

V. 4

“4 But these things haue I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not vnto you at the beginnning, because I was with you.”

Jesus told them these things that when the time was right they would remember what Jesus; and they would glorify him, knowing he always prophesied rightly. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry he did not tell them these things, as the venom of the Jews was directed at him and not his Disciples; but, when he would leave, the Jews’ hatred would turn to the Disciples. And, Jesus did not want them to be troubled before their time.

V. 5

“5 But now I goe my way to him that sent mee, and none of you asketh me Whither goest thou?”

Previously Jesus had told them he came from the Father and would return to the Father; but, they didn’t understand. In response, Peter asked him where he was going, thinking Jesus was going to some physical location on earth. (John 13:36-37) But, now no one asked where he was going. Perhaps they were preoccupied with the prospect of suffering for Christ, being killed and being put out of the synagogue (Acts 21: 27-36), that they didn’t think to ask him where he was going.

V. 6

“6 But because I haue saide these things vnto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.”

Overwhelmed at the thought of being being without Jesus and suffering persecution and even death, they naturally would have been sad and troubled. Yet, Jesus asks them as though they have no need to worry. Had he not already told them he would send the Comforter? (John 15:26) And, had he not assured them that all these things were according to God’s will?

V. 7

“7 Neuerthelesse; I tell you the trueth, it is expedient for you that I goe away; for if I goe not away the Comforter will not come vnto you: but if I depart, I will send him vnto you.”

Jesus assures the Disciples that it is for the best that he goes away; that he might expeditiously send the Comforter, which he previously mentioned (John 15:26). Again, Jesus stresses the truthfulness of his claims; for, he never lied and was not about to start; that indeed the Disciples would not be left alone, but the Spirit of God, the Comforter would come to them, indwell them and lead them into all truth.

It is not to say that the Spirit of God was exempt from the world prior to Jesus death on the cross, as we know that in the beginning when God created the heaven and the earth, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, signifying the Comforter’s participation in creation (Genesis 1:1-2). We find further evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, when the sons of the prophets feared that Spirit of the Lord had removed Elisha (2 Kings 2:15-16). And, David wrote, “Cast mee not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11) Thus, we understand that Jesus does not say that the presence of the Holy Spirit is a new thing, but that the role of the Holy Spirit in the workings of man changes after his death.

V. 8

“8 And when he is come, he will reproue the world of sinne, and of righteousesse, and of iudgement.”

“He will reproue the world of sinne” means “accuse, rebuke, admonish, shame, censure and blame.” Regarding righteousness, the Holy Ghost will also convict men of it; one, in the sense of their rejection of it in favor of sin; and, the other in its pursuit. Yet, men will be acutely aware of the difference between sin and righteousness, despite their preference for one or the other. Still, Jesus may not say this pertaining to salvation; but, rather that none should be without excuse when they stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Vs. 9 - 11

“9 Of sinne, because they beleeue not on me. 10 Of righteousnesse, because I goe to my Father, and ye see me no more. 11 Of iudgment, because the prince of this world is iudged.”

The ultimate sin is disbelief in Christ, the consequences of which are eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). And, if we disbelieve Christ, we call God a liar; and, that is the sin of blasphemy. “Of righteousness” speaks of the righteousness of Christ; for he goes to his Father from which he came; this can be true only of God; for, if God is his Father, then he makes himself equal to God (John 5:18 & Philippians 2:6); and, in God is only righteousness. “Of iudgment” means Satan has been judged; that is to say, the perfection of Christ’s life and his death on the cross are a foregone conclusion; that he is found without sin and paid the price for the sins of the world is beyond dispute. And, in this he has overcome the world, sin and death (John 16:33); accordingly, the devil who is the prince of this world has been put down (1 Corinthians 15:24). Though “the prince of this world” is iudged, sentence is yet to be enacted (Revelation 20:14).

Vs. 12 - 13

“12 I haue yet many things to say vnto you, but ye cannot beare them now: 13 Howbeit, when hee the spirit of trueth is come, he wil guide you into all trueth: For he shall not speake of himselfe: but whatsoeuer he shall heare, that shall he speake, and he will shew you things to come.”

“Ye cannot beare them now” means that they are not ready to receive certain truths of the Gospel, not referring to the basics of salvation, but things that defy traditions and ingrained false teachings that first must be shed; notions that Messiah would set up a Jewish empire on earth that would overshadow all others. Furthermore, they did not understand that Messiah came for all people, Jews and Gentiles alike; that this is what God meant when he said to Abraham that in Isaac all nations would be blessed.

When “the spirit of trueth is come,” after Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, then will the Disciples be ready to receive the great commission and doctrines of the second coming. Furthermore, we find Peter in the book of Acts still bound to ceremonial food restrictions, to which God said, “…What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” (Acts 10:14)

“The spirit of trueth” is the Comforter, the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit, he (vs.7-8) is sent by Jesus and he will teach believers in all truth. As Jesus was sent by the Father an speaks that which the Father tells him, “the spirit of trueth” is sent by Jesus and speaks that which Jesus tells him.

Speaking most specifically to the Disciples, but not at the exclusion of other believers, Jesus says that the Comforter will show them things to come, many of which would be via confirmation of things Jesus taught them. We find this proven in all the Gospels, nearly all the Epistles and in the Book of Revelation, where Jesus foretells the circumstances surrounding his second coming and things to follow.

V. 14

“14 He shall glorifie me, for he shall recieue of mine, and shall shew it vnto you.”

As Jesus glorified the Father, the Holy Ghost will glorify Jesus; the things the Holy Ghost speaks are from Jesus, and he will show them to the Disciples and to other believers.

V. 15

“15 All things that the Father hath, are mine: therefore said I that he shall take of mine, and shal shew it vnto you.”

All things of the Father also belong to Christ, and thus to the Holy Ghost who will show them to the Disciples.

V. 16

“16 A litle while, and ye shall not see me: and againe a litle while, & ye shall see me: because I goe to the Father.”

Jesus will soon die, thus they will not see him for a while; but, he will rise from the dead and show himself to them. After his death he goes to the Father, where he stands as our advocate; and, God sees believers through the person of Christ, who is “the last Adam made a quickening spirit.” (1 Corinthians 15:45) Opposite to the first Adam who brought death to mankind, Jesus brings life. Thus, the flesh of ‘Adam’ was transformed into a spiritual form, no longer subject to the rigors of a carnal, temporal existence, but made immortal; that through Christ, we may, by faith, be similarly received by the Father in the resurrection; and corrupt flesh made incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:52).

Vs. 17 - 18

“17 Then saide some of his disciples among themselues, What is this that he saith vnto vs, A litle while, and ye shal not see me: and againe, a litle while, and ye shall see me: and, because I goe to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A litle while? We cannot tell what he saith.”

Still uncertain of what Jesus meant regarding his death and resurrection, some disciples questioned among themselves. Though Jesus had told them many times, in parables, this was what he meant; yet, the disciples seemed to cling to a different notion of Messiah, whereby he would defeat Israel’s oppressors and reestablish David’s kingdom. Their question seems predicated upon the notion that Messiah, who they accepted is Jesus, would deliver them from Rome, as Moses delivered the Israelites from Egypt. Failing to understand deliverance from Egypt as an antitype to spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin and death, the disciples still clung to a somewhat elitist notion of Israel as the sole recipient of Messiah’s deliverance. Though deliverance came first to the Jews, it was not their exclusive province; but that Christ going to the Father brought Adam, who represents all persons; for all sprung forth from Adam. And, it was necessary that the Mosaic ordinance of the sacrificial lamb, as a ritual, be fulfilled in Messiah, that it was made real in the person of Jesus Christ whose blood takes away sin, as opposed to the blood of animals only regarded by God a covering for sin.

Upon Christ’s fulfillment of the Mosaic ordinance of the Lamb of God, Jesus, by necessity ascended into heaven where he sits on the right hand of the Father until the fulness of the Jews and Gentiles be brought in, meaning all who would be saved; then one people in Christ would be established for eternity; and, upon that Christ would return to raise the elect (meaning all in the body of Christ). And, at the time of his second coming, he would fulfill the role of conquering Messiah, which the disciples prematurely understood as the establishment of David’s kingdom.

V. 19

“19 Now Iesus knew that they were desirous to aske him, & said vnto them, Doe ye enquire among your selues of that I saide, A litle while, and ye shall not see mee: and againe; A little while and ye shall see me?”

Jesus knew they were speaking of this matter among themselves, but dared not ask him, perhaps not wanting to appear ignorant; however, Jesus understood their perplexity, and asked them why they were confused. By now, shouldn’t they have understood his meaning?

V. 20

“20 Uerily, verily I say vnto you, that ye shall weepe and lament, but the world shall reioyce: And ye shall be sorrowfull, but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy.”

Jesus tells them that they will mourn his death, but the Jews, meaning those who hate him, will rejoice thinking they are rid of a social and spiritual menace; one who disrupts the established and proper order of things. Yet, Jesus says that the disciples’ sorrow will be turned to joy, meaning they would see him in his resurrected body. Their joy would be great knowing that Jesus has power over life and death; that the grave could not hold him; and, they would reflect upon his doctrines, realizing the necessity of his suffering and death; that he might be raised. And, upon receiving the Holy Ghost, their spiritual eyes would be opened, and all that Jesus taught would be made plain, giving them even greater cause to rejoice.

V. 21

“21 A woman, when she is in trauaile, hath sorrow, because her houre is come: but assoone as she is deliuered of the child, she remembreth no more the anguish, for the ioy that a man is borne into the world.”

Jesus likens his death and resurrection to a woman giving birth. The child must come forth at great pain; yet, when it is done, the woman rejoices; for, a child is born. Similarly, the disciples will first experience sorrow at the pain leading up to Christ’s resurrection, but upon resurrection they will celebrate, knowing the joy that Christ is not dead, but lives.

All believers celebrate that joy through the symbolism of baptism: living with Christ, dying with him, being buried and rising again; that is being immersed in water and then emerging, symbolic of Christ rising from the grave (Romans 6:4). Thus, Jesus speaks to the Disciples of the new birth of a child, such as all believers will experience spiritually, then physically at the resurrection of the Saints.

V. 22

“22 And ye now therefore haue sorrow: but I will see you againe, and your heart shall reioyce, and your ioy no man taketh from you.”

Jesus repeats his previous statement (v.20), but stresses that the joy they will have cannot be taken away by any man. It is an eternal joy established in the knowledge that we are no longer at enmity with God, but at peace. This is peace that the world cannot know; for, it is not circumstantial, but according to the one who promised and cannot lie. Conversely, the world seeks a peace that it sometimes achieves, only to find it brief, as new and troubling circumstances arise that upset man’s peace, the cause of which invariably is sin. But, in Christ there is the peace of God, which no man can take away; for God is the guarantor.

V. 23

“23 And in that day ye shall aske me nothing: Uerily, verily I say vnto you, Whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father in my Name, he will giue it you.”

Likely, Jesus speaks of questions the Disciples formerly asked him, as per verses 17 & 18. But, in the day of their joy at his resurrection, when he has sent the Holy Ghost, then he will bring all things to their remembrance (John 14:26); and their understanding of his doctrines will be made complete. And, Jesus now standing as intercessor between God and man, all persons established in Christ may go to the Father through Jesus Christ; thereby, they will ask of the Father all things in Jesus Name; and, insofar as they are according to God’s will, the Father will do it.

V. 24

“24 Hitherto haue ye asked nothing in my Name: aske, and ye shall receiue, that your ioy may be full.”

Up until now, the Disciples had asked nothing of the Father in Jesus Name; for, they did not understand the relationship between Father and Son. However upon his resurrection and their receiving the Holy Ghost and being taught by the same, they would understand, to some degree, their access to the Father is through him.

V. 25

“25 These things haue I spoken vnto you in prouerbs: the time commeth when I shall no more speake vnto you in prouerbes, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.”

Jesus speaks more specifically of when the Holy Ghost should come and teach them in all truth; not that Jesus did not teach them truth; but their minds and hearts were not yet prepared to receive the deeper things of Christ; nor could they fully understand spiritual messages and parables through which Jesus spoke. But, upon illumination of the Holy Ghost, all such things would be made plain; this being made evident in the Epistles, wherein doctrines of the Prophets and Jesus Christ are interpreted by disciples of Jesus. Therein, we more fully understand the Old Testament and the Gospels wherein difficult doctrines are interpreted, according to the Holy Ghost, by Paul, James, Peter, John and Jude.

Vs. 26 - 27

“26 At that day ye shall aske in my Name: and I say not vnto you that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himselfe loueth you, because ye haue loued me and haue beleeued that I came out from God.”

Believers have no need that Jesus pray for them, as they love Jesus, and all who love Jesus, the Father loves and hears. Yet, Jesus does not say he will not pray or petition the Father on our behalf; rather, by faith in him, we may go to the Father. This was symbolized when the veil of the temple was rent (Matthew 27:51); no more is the barrier of sin between God and man; for, by faith in Christ Jesus the barrier is removed; not for unbelievers, but only for those established in Christ unto salvation and righteousness.

V. 28

“28 I came foorth from the Father, and am come into the world: againe, I leaue the world, and goe to the Father.”

Again, Jesus confirms previous doctrines he taught the Disciples; yet, confirming that they still do not understand. Likely, he affirms this doctrine that later, when he is resurrected they will remember he told them; and, they will better understand his relationship to the Father.

V. 29

“29 His disciples said vnto him, Loe, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no prouerbe.”

And, they respond making it evident that they did not know what he was talking about. Jesus spake thus that spiritual language would be understood only by those who believe and are indwelled by the Holy Ghost (Matthew 13:35 & Luke 8:10); and, he had not yet sent the Comforter.

V. 30

“30 Now are we sure that thou knowest al things, and needest not that any man should aske thee; By this we beleeue that thou camest foorth from God.”

The Disciples spake, perhaps disingenuously, as the next verse suggests; for, they still had many unanswered questions in their minds and Jesus knew it. They knew with certainty that Jesus came from God; for his miracles proved such; yet, they knew not the depth of Christ’s relationship with the Father.

V. 31

“31 Iesus answered them, Doe yee now beleeue?”

Jesus asks them to examine themselves to see if they know what they believe. He, knowing that there were many things they could not know until he sent the Comforter. At which time, he would teach them all truth.

V. 32

“32 Behold, the houre commeth, yea is now come, that ye shall be scattered, euery man to his owne, and shall leaue me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”

Prophesying over them, Jesus infers that their belief is not yet firmly rooted in him; and, when trouble comes, they will flee; but as we know, only for a time, and much to their remorse, such as in the case of Peter who thrice denied Jesus, then the cock crowed as Jesus prophesied. In time, the Disciples would reflect back on these things and know that Jesus is the omniscient God; all doubts in their minds would be laid to rest, but only after great sorrow and repentance.

V. 33

“33 These things I haue spoken vnto you, that in me ye might haue peace, in the world ye shall haue tribulation: but be of good cheare, I haue ouercome the world.”

Jesus does not speak of peace as the world knows it; for, as long as mankind is rotten with sin, there will be no peace; envy, greed, spite, revenge, bitterness, hate, lust, licentiousness, jealousy and pride prevent any real form of peace, person to person, community to community and nation to nation. The foundation, not having been established in God through Christ, is rotten; and, prop the building up many times as man will, it will continue to crumble and fall. Thus, believers may expect tribulation; for, the world hates Christ, and therefore it hates his followers; yet, in Christ, we have the peace of God; for, Jesus overcame sin and death; and, at God’s appointed time, he will set all things right; and, those in him will continue in the eternal peace of God, while the unbelieving world will continue in evil, and standing before the judgment seat of God they will be rightly judged by their own works, their own merits and found wanting. And, upon that, being cast into the lake of fire, they will have no peace for eternity; for, only in Christ Jesus is peace possible.