John 16:1 kjv
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
John 16:1 nkjv
"These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
John 16:1 niv
"All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.
John 16:1 esv
"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.
John 16:1 nlt
"I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith.
John 16 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 16:1 | "I have said these things to you, lest you take offense." | Direct statement of purpose |
| John 16:33 | "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace." | Similar closing assurance of peace |
| John 13:19 | "I am telling you this before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he." | Jesus forewarns to strengthen faith |
| John 14:26 | "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things..." | Assurance of future guidance post-departure |
| Acts 20:19 | "...how I did not shrink from declaring to you any of the things that were profitable, nor from teaching you in public and from house to house," | Paul's dedication to teaching despite hardship |
| 2 Cor 4:8-9 | "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;" | Paradox of suffering and endurance |
| 1 Peter 4:12-13 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is to come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you." | Encouragement regarding persecution |
| Matt 10:16-17 | "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be watchful as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts..." | Jesus forewarns disciples of opposition |
| Luke 21:12-19 | "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons..." | Jesus predicts persecution |
| Romans 8:35 | "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" | Inseparability from Christ's love through trials |
| John 11:48 | "...the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” | Historical concern about Roman power |
| 1 Thess 3:3 | "...that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this." | Predestined suffering for believers |
| Acts 14:22 | "...through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." | The pathway to God's kingdom |
| John 17:14 | "I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." | The world's opposition to believers |
| Rev 7:14 | "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation..." | Identification of those enduring tribulation |
| Ps 119:165 | "Great peace have those who love your law; nothing causes them to stumble." | Peace for those who love God's word |
| Matt 5:11-12 | "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." | Blessing for persecution |
| John 20:19 | "On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them..." | Jesus appearing to disciples despite fear |
| Acts 5:40-41 | "...and when they had called the apostles, and flogged them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." | Disciples rejoiced in suffering for Christ |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” | God provides a way to endure trials |
John 16 verses
John 16 1 Meaning
Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, knowing they will face intense persecution and opposition. This separation is not an abandonment but a strategic move for the advancement of God's kingdom, as His physical presence will be replaced by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The disciples' sorrow is acknowledged, but it will be transient, ultimately turning into joy through the experience of His resurrected presence and the fruitfulness of their ministry.
John 16 1 Context
This verse is spoken by Jesus during His farewell discourse to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion, recorded in chapters 13-17 of John's Gospel. These chapters are often referred to as the Upper Room Discourse. Jesus is intimately addressing His chosen followers, preparing them for the events to come – His imminent suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. Specifically, in chapter 16, Jesus foretells the persecution the disciples will face from the world, explaining that they will be expelled from synagogues and that a time will come when whoever kills them will think they are offering service to God. This verse serves as a protective measure, an explanation of His earlier, more direct pronouncements about their future trials, intended to prevent their faith from being shipwrecked by misunderstanding or discouragement. The immediate context is Jesus assuring them that His departure is for their benefit and that their sorrow will eventually turn to joy.
John 16 1 Word Analysis
I (Greek: ἐγὼ, ego): Refers to Jesus Christ, the speaker. The emphasis is on His personal, authoritative pronouncement.
have said (Greek: εἴρηκα, eirēka): Perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. Jesus has already communicated significant truths.
these things (Greek: ταῦτα, tauta): Refers to the preceding and subsequent statements Jesus makes regarding His departure, the Holy Spirit, and the world's opposition.
to you (Greek: ὑμῖν, hymin): Directly addresses the disciples, indicating a specific audience for this counsel.
lest (Greek: ἵνα μὴ, hina mē): A purpose clause indicating the reason for Jesus saying "these things." It conveys a preventative intent.
you (Greek: ὑμεῖς, hymeis): Refers to the disciples (plural).
take offense (Greek: σκανδαλισθῆτε, skandalisthete): A passive subjunctive verb from the root skandalon. It means to be caused to stumble, to be ensnared, or to be led into sin through misunderstanding or discouragement. It speaks to the potential for their faith to be severely tested by His suffering and their own subsequent persecution.
Words-group analysis:
- "I have said these things to you": This collective phrase emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and comprehensive teaching for the disciples' benefit.
- "lest you take offense": This phrase highlights the anticipatory and pastoral nature of Jesus' words, aiming to fortify them against the shock and potential spiritual collapse that challenging circumstances could bring.
John 16 1 Bonus Section
The concept of skandalon (offense, stumbling block) is crucial in the Gospels. It’s often used by Jesus to describe the pitfalls that hinder spiritual progress. The disciples’ future stumbling would not be due to a lack of love for Jesus, but due to the shock of His seeming defeat and the hostility they would face. Jesus' love anticipates this and provides this crucial explanation to prevent their spiritual "fall." This shows God's proactive approach to strengthening believers, not leaving them vulnerable to surprise that could shatter their faith. It’s a profound instance of God’s preemptive grace in providing His followers with foreknowledge for future strength.
John 16 1 Commentary
Jesus articulates the purpose of His foregoing words: to safeguard the disciples from stumbling in their faith. The coming events – His crucifixion, their subsequent persecution, and their resultant grief – were realities that could easily have caused them to falter. Jesus’ forewarning is not to instill fear, but to provide preparation and prevenient understanding. His intention is that this knowledge will serve as an anchor, preventing their faith from being overturned when they face opposition from the world. It reflects His deep pastoral care for His flock, ensuring they are equipped spiritually to endure the trials ahead and ultimately understand the larger redemptive purpose of His seemingly devastating departure. This sets the stage for His subsequent assurance that their sorrow will be temporary, yielding to the joy of His resurrected presence and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.