John 16:25 kjv
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
John 16:25 nkjv
"These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
John 16:25 niv
"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
John 16:25 esv
"I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.
John 16:25 nlt
"I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father.
John 16 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 16:26 | For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. | Clarifies Father's love |
| John 16:27 | because the Father himself has sent me. | Affirming Jesus' origin |
| John 16:28 | I came out from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father. | Jesus' earthly journey |
| John 14:7 | If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him. | Prior knowledge of Father |
| John 14:9 | Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" | Seeing Jesus = Seeing Father |
| John 14:25-26 | These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | Holy Spirit's role |
| John 17:25-26 | O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. | Making Father known |
| Luke 12:32 | Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. | Kingdom and Father's will |
| Isaiah 55:11 | so shall my word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I intend, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. | God's word accomplishing |
| Hebrews 1:1-2 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke in times past to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. | God speaking through Son |
| Matthew 13:10-11 | Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." | Parables for understanding |
| Mark 4:33-34 | With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. | Explaining privately |
| 1 Corinthians 13:12 | For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. | Future full knowledge |
| 1 John 2:27 | But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need of anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and is not a lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him. | Anointing teaches all |
| Acts 2:17 | And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; | Spirit's pouring out |
| 1 Peter 1:12 | It was revealed to them that not for themselves, but for you they were serving something that now has been proclaimed to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things that angels long to glance into. | Spirit revealing to us |
| Revelation 1:1 | The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, | Revelation from Jesus Christ |
| John 16:13 | When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will speak not from his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. | Spirit guiding into truth |
| John 8:26 | I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I tell the world what I have heard from him. | Speaking what is heard from Father |
| Psalm 19:1 | The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. | God's glory revealed |
John 16 verses
John 16 25 Meaning
This verse speaks of Jesus' declaration that He will no longer speak in figures of speech, or parables, but will plainly reveal everything about the Father to His disciples. This signifies a transition in His teaching from indirect communication to direct revelation, anticipating the pouring out of the Holy Spirit who would continue this process of unveiling truth.
John 16 25 Context
In John chapter 16, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. He has been speaking to them in parables and allegories, which they have found difficult to fully grasp. Jesus explains that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, will come and guide them into all truth, teaching them and bringing His words to remembrance. This verse marks a significant shift in Jesus' own communication strategy with His disciples, moving from figurative language to direct and plain speech about the Father. This is a pivotal moment as Jesus entrusts them with understanding the deep realities of God, enabled by the indwelling Spirit. Historically, this transition from figurative to direct speech also signifies the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning God's direct revelation in the "last days."
John 16 25 Word analysis
- I (Ego): The personal pronoun emphasizing Jesus' unique identity and authority.
- no longer (ouketi): Denotes a cessation of a previous state or manner of speaking.
- speak (lego): To utter words, to say.
- in figures of speech (en paroimiais): "Paroimia" refers to a parable, allegory, proverb, or comparison. Jesus previously used these to teach spiritual truths, often requiring deeper understanding.
- but (alla): Introduces a contrast, highlighting the change in His communication.
- speak (lego): Again, to say, to communicate.
- plainly (parrhesia): Freely, openly, boldly, without concealment. It implies speaking directly and frankly.
- all things (panta): A comprehensive term, indicating a complete and thorough revelation.
- concerning you (peri humon): Specifically directed towards the disciples.
- the Father (tou Patros): Refers to God the Father, emphasizing Jesus' intimate knowledge of and relationship with Him.
Word-group analysis
- "speak in figures of speech ... but speak plainly": This juxtaposition highlights Jesus' transition from indirect teaching methods, common in parables for broader audiences, to direct, unadorned communication with His inner circle, reflecting the deepening understanding available to them.
John 16 25 Bonus section
This verse foreshadows the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, as described later in the same chapter (John 16:13): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." Jesus' direct pronouncements prepare the ground for the ongoing ministry of revelation and application that the Spirit would bring to the disciples and to the Church throughout history. It also underscores Jesus’ unwavering relationship with the Father; His plain speech about the Father is a direct outpouring of His knowledge gained from His unique, eternal communion with the Father, echoing His earlier statement, "I tell the world what I have heard from him" (John 8:26).
John 16 25 Commentary
Jesus signals a shift in His ministry of communication to His disciples. He had often employed parables to convey complex truths about the Kingdom of God, which were meant for the disciples to unravel. However, in this moment, recognizing their progress and the impending empowerment by the Holy Spirit, Jesus promises a new era of direct revelation. He will now explain all things concerning the Father, removing the veils of symbolic language. This is a promise of deeper intimacy and clarity, a direct unveiling of God’s character and will, empowered by the Spirit who would illuminate these truths for them. It’s a movement from understanding truths through analogy to understanding them through direct divine impartation.