John 16 20

John 16:20 kjv

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

John 16:20 nkjv

Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

John 16:20 niv

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

John 16:20 esv

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

John 16:20 nlt

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.

John 16 verses

John 16 20 Meaning

John 16:20 declares a solemn truth about the disciples' immediate future: they would experience profound grief, weeping, and lamentation due to Jesus' imminent suffering and departure, a sorrow sharply contrasted by the temporary rejoicing of "the world" at His apparent defeat. However, Jesus unequivocally promises that this deep sorrow of His followers will not be their final state but will be radically transformed into lasting joy. This verse foretells the painful interim between the crucifixion and the resurrection, a period of immense desolation that would ultimately be eclipsed by the triumphant joy of Christ's victory and presence through the Holy Spirit.

John 16 20 Context

John 16:20 is situated within Jesus' extensive Farewell Discourse, delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion (John 13-17). Chapters 15-16 specifically deal with Jesus' impending departure, the hatred the world would show them, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Earlier in chapter 16, Jesus forewarns His disciples about their coming persecution (v. 1-4) and the need for Him to depart for the Advocate (Holy Spirit) to come (v. 5-7). The disciples are depicted as confused and sorrowful at the prospect of His absence (v. 6, 17-19). This verse explicitly addresses that impending sorrow and frames it as a temporary state, contrasting it with the world's reaction to His death, and promising an ultimate transformation to joy, hinting at His resurrection and the subsequent indwelling of the Spirit. It sets the stage for the analogy of the woman in childbirth in the subsequent verse (16:21), further clarifying the nature of this sorrow-turned-joy. Historically and culturally, this period involved a leader facing execution, which would naturally cause immense grief and fear among His followers, while His enemies would celebrate their victory.

John 16 20 Word analysis

• Truly, truly (Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν - Amēn amēn): This double "Amen" (or "Verily, verily") is a unique feature in John's Gospel, appearing 25 times. It signifies a profound emphasis, underscoring the absolute truth and solemnity of what Jesus is about to say. It signals a divine declaration, calling for careful attention to a pivotal prophecy.
• weep (κλαύσετε - klausete): Derived from klaiō. This denotes an open, audible expression of grief, lamenting, crying, or wailing. It implies a public and unrestrained display of intense sorrow.
• and lament (θρηνήσετε - thrēnesete): From thrēneō. This term describes a more formalized or ritualized mourning, akin to singing a dirge or wailing over the dead. It suggests a deep, perhaps culturally recognized, form of sorrow associated with profound loss or death. Together with "weep," it paints a vivid picture of extreme desolation.
• the world (ὁ κόσμος - ho kosmos): In Johannine theology, "the world" often carries a negative connotation, referring to humanity alienated from God, often hostile towards Jesus and His followers. It represents the human system organized against divine rule.
• will rejoice (χαρήσεται - charēsetai): From chairō. This signifies joy, gladness, or delight. The world's "rejoicing" is ironic and superficial, based on a misunderstanding of Jesus' 'defeat,' unaware of the divine plan for redemption.
• sorrowful (λυπηθήσεσθε - lypēthēsesthe): From lypeō. This conveys intense grief, pain, or distress of mind. It focuses on the internal emotional experience of sadness and profound personal suffering.
• will turn into (μεταστραφήσεται - metastraphēsetai): From metastrefō. This powerful verb means "to change into, to transform, to convert." It implies a complete and fundamental alteration of state, not merely alleviation but a complete reversal. It speaks of a qualitative shift where sorrow doesn't just cease but becomes its opposite.
• joy (χαρὰν - charan): From chara. This denotes profound happiness, gladness, and exhilaration, particularly the inner delight and peace derived from a spiritual source.

Words-group analysis:

• "you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice": This creates a stark, immediate contrast between the disciples and "the world." The suffering and apparent defeat of Jesus would elicit immense sorrow from His followers, but a sense of victory or satisfaction from those who rejected Him, particularly the religious and political authorities. This emphasizes the spiritual conflict between two opposing realms.
• "You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy": This phrase embodies the core promise. It moves beyond just stating sorrow to declaring its guaranteed transformation. This isn't just relief from sorrow, but sorrow itself morphing into joy. It's a prophetic promise that foreshadows the Resurrection, Pentecost, and the ultimate triumph of God's plan. The sorrow serves as a necessary prelude, a labor pain leading to new life and profound delight.

John 16 20 Bonus section

The intense language of "weep and lament" points to a profound sorrow not merely for a teacher but for the anticipated death of someone understood as deeply integral to their lives, revealing the deep bond between Jesus and His disciples. The temporary "rejoicing" of the world highlights its spiritual blindness and shortsightedness. It represents a victory that is fundamentally hollow and transient, lacking insight into God's redemptive purpose being unfolded. This stark contrast serves as an interpretive key: true understanding and ultimate joy belong to those aligned with Christ, while those opposing Him celebrate only illusionary victories. The promise of sorrow turning to joy foreshadows the "new creation" (2 Cor 5:17), where even the most bitter experiences are not discarded but refashioned by God's grace into something glorious, reflecting His redemptive power to transform all things. This theme of temporary suffering yielding eternal joy is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, foundational to Christian endurance and hope, as seen in the Psalms and Paul's letters.

John 16 20 Commentary

John 16:20 encapsulates one of the central paradoxes of the Christian faith: that deep suffering is often the prelude to profound joy, and apparent defeat, in God's plan, is merely a step toward ultimate victory. Jesus issues this solemn prediction to His bewildered disciples, directly addressing their current apprehension about His departure. He foretells a time of intense personal grief—weeping and lamenting—a public display of desolation triggered by His crucifixion. Simultaneously, He notes the celebratory reaction of "the world," which mistakenly perceives His death as a successful elimination of a perceived threat, finding a fleeting, hollow triumph in His suffering.

However, the profound assurance comes with the promise of transformation. The disciples' sorrow is not meant to be their permanent state. Jesus guarantees that their grief will not simply dissipate but will actively "turn into" joy. This isn't just comfort; it's a radical metamorphosis where the very source of their pain becomes the root of an unshakeable, eternal gladness. This transformation begins concretely with the Resurrection, when their mourning gives way to jubilant recognition (Jn 20:20). It continues with the sending of the Holy Spirit, which brings an abiding joy and presence even in Jesus' physical absence, empowering them to face further persecution with an inner gladness. This divinely-sourced joy transcends external circumstances, a mark of the believer's participation in Christ's victory. It speaks to a divine pattern where the "passion" (suffering) is intrinsically linked to the "glory."

• Example 1 (Resurrection): The disciples' intense sorrow following Jesus' crucifixion transformed into overwhelming joy and conviction upon seeing Him risen, understanding that death was not the end.
• Example 2 (Martyrdom): Many early Christian martyrs faced death with peace and even joy, recognizing their momentary suffering was "turning into" eternal life and communion with Christ.
• Example 3 (Modern Day): A believer facing a deep loss experiences intense grief, but through prayer, community, and remembrance of God's promises, finds an enduring hope and joy in Christ that transcends the pain, seeing the temporal sorrow within the context of eternal hope.