John 16:29 kjv
His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
John 16:29 nkjv
His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!
John 16:29 niv
Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.
John 16:29 esv
His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!
John 16:29 nlt
Then his disciples said, "At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively.
John 16 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 16:25 | "These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; but the hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech..." | Jesus promised a shift from veiled language. |
| Jn 16:30 | "Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God." | Disciples express confidence in Jesus' omniscience and divine origin. |
| Jn 16:31 | "Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe?'" | Jesus gently questions their present belief, implying their understanding is still incomplete. |
| Jn 10:24 | "So the Jews gathered around Him and were saying to Him, 'How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.'" | A plea for plain, unambiguous speech. |
| Jn 7:26 | "But look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. Could it be that the rulers truly know that this is the Christ?" | Open, public speaking observed by others. |
| Jn 18:20 | "Jesus answered him, 'I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret.'" | Jesus asserts His open teaching. |
| Matt 13:10-13 | "And the disciples came and said to Him, 'Why do You speak to them in parables?' Jesus answered them, 'Because it has been granted to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven...'" | Jesus uses veiled language to reveal truth to some while concealing from others. |
| Mk 4:33-34 | "With many such parables He was speaking the word to them as they were able to hear it; and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He explained everything privately to His own disciples." | Jesus often taught in parables publicly and plainly privately. |
| Luke 24:45 | "Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." | The Holy Spirit's role in true understanding. |
| Psa 119:130 | "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." | God's word, when understood, brings clarity. |
| Prov 8:6 | "Listen, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right;" | Wisdom speaking forth clear, excellent truth. |
| Isa 35:8 | "And a highway will be there, a way; and it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for those who walk that way..." | Clarity and directness of God's path for the redeemed. |
| 1 Cor 13:12 | "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." | Acknowledges present limited understanding and future perfect clarity. |
| Eph 1:17-18 | "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him; that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." | Prayer for spiritual understanding beyond mere words. |
| 1 John 5:20 | "And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding so that we may know Him who is true..." | Christ gives the ability to truly know God. |
| Jn 13:7 | "Jesus answered and said to him, 'What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.'" | Disciples' understanding is often delayed or partial. |
| Jn 21:12 | "Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples dared ask Him, 'Who are You?' because they knew it was the Lord." | Post-resurrection clarity of identity. |
| Acts 2:1-4 | The Holy Spirit empowering apostles to speak clearly and universally understood. | Holy Spirit enables clear proclamation and understanding. |
| Acts 4:13 | "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus." | The apostles' directness stemmed from being with Jesus. |
| 2 Cor 3:12 | "Therefore, having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech." | Plain speech is a characteristic of confidence in truth. |
| Heb 4:16 | "Therefore let's approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help." | We can now approach God directly, with parrhesia (confidence, plainness). |
John 16 verses
John 16 29 Meaning
John 16:29 records the disciples' affirmation to Jesus, declaring that He is now speaking clearly and directly, without the use of enigmatic language or figures of speech. They perceive a distinct shift from His previous veiled teachings to a straightforward presentation, leading them to believe they finally grasp His words. This verse highlights their confidence in understanding Jesus' communication at that specific moment.
John 16 29 Context
John chapter 16 is part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse (chapters 13-17) given to His disciples just before His arrest and crucifixion. In this discourse, Jesus prepares them for His departure, promises the Holy Spirit (the Helper/Advocate), warns them of impending persecution, and reassures them that their sorrow will turn to joy. Specifically, in John 16:25, Jesus tells them, "These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech (paroimia); but the hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father." The disciples' statement in John 16:29 is a direct response to Jesus' recent words (Jn 16:26-28) about prayer directly to the Father in His name and His direct origin and return to the Father, which they perceived as a clear and straightforward explanation, fulfilling His promise in John 16:25. They felt they had finally crossed the threshold from enigma to clear understanding.
John 16 29 Word analysis
- His disciples: Refers to the inner circle of followers who had been with Jesus, listening to His most intimate teachings and explanations. Their perspective here is a collective, unified expression of understanding.
- said: Implies a vocal, perhaps emphatic, declaration from them. This is not a hesitant question but a confident assertion.
- to Him: Directly addressing Jesus, affirming their perception to their Teacher and Lord.
- Look: (Greek: Ide) An exclamation often used to draw attention or indicate surprise, recognition, or emphasis on what follows. It marks their discovery or realization.
- now: (Greek: arti) Indicates an immediate, present, and sudden understanding. They feel a breakthrough has just occurred in their comprehension of Jesus' words. It's the fulfillment of His promise in Jn 16:25.
- You are speaking: Highlights Jesus as the source of this perceived new clarity in communication. It acknowledges His agency in shifting His teaching style.
- plainly: (Greek: parrēsia) This key term means frankness, openness, directness, or boldness in speech. It contrasts sharply with "figures of speech." In the context of the New Testament, parrēsia also conveys confidence and absence of fear, especially in approaching God or speaking truth. The disciples believe Jesus is now speaking without any veils.
- and are not using a figure of speech: (Greek: ouk en paroimiai lalēis) A direct negation reinforcing the disciples' perception.
- figure of speech: (Greek: paroimia) This term can refer to a proverb, an adage, an obscure saying, or a parable. It implies a veiled or indirect statement requiring interpretation. Jesus Himself used this term in John 16:25. The disciples felt He was no longer speaking in such obscure terms but directly, without metaphor or enigma. Their assertion suggests a significant perceived shift from previous, more challenging lessons to something directly intelligible to them. This phrase highlights their relief and conviction that the obscurity is gone.
John 16 29 Bonus section
The disciples' assertion of "plain speech" (parrēsia) in John 16:29 stands in tension with Jesus' question in John 16:31, "Do you now believe?". This juxtaposition is crucial, as it indicates that their newfound confidence in understanding was perhaps a superficial one, failing to grasp the deeper implications of what was to come (the scattering, the crucifixion, and the Spirit's future role in bringing true clarity). True parrēsia or plainness in spiritual understanding is not just about clear words but also a profound inner apprehension granted by God's Spirit, something the disciples would only fully experience after Pentecost. Their statement here reflects their human perception of clarity rather than a complete divine insight.
John 16 29 Commentary
John 16:29 serves as a pivotal moment in the Farewell Discourse, showcasing the disciples' perceived moment of enlightenment. After hearing Jesus speak of His departure and return in ways they found obscure, His recent direct statements about the Father and prayer seem to them as refreshingly plain. Their declaration of "speaking plainly" (parrēsia) stands in direct contrast to Jesus' own statement in verse 25 about speaking in "figures of speech" (paroimia). The disciples' eagerness reveals their longing for direct understanding and their joy at what they believe is the end of cryptic pronouncements. However, as Jesus' response in the subsequent verse (Jn 16:31) reveals, their understanding, while real at a superficial level, was still premature and would soon be challenged by the impending trials. This highlights a common theme in the disciples' journey: progressive understanding often accompanied by periods of misjudgment or limited insight, necessitating divine illumination from the Spirit later.