John 16 33

John 16:33 kjv

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 nkjv

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 niv

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 esv

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 nlt

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

John 16 verses

John 16 33 Meaning

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

This verse serves as a crucial summary and climactic declaration within Jesus' Farewell Discourse. It assures His disciples of an abiding, spiritual peace found solely in Him, despite the certain experience of severe affliction and hardship in the fallen world. This divine peace is possible because Jesus Himself has definitively conquered the forces of the "world" that bring such tribulation, offering His victory as their ultimate ground for courage and hope.

John 16 33 Context

John 16:33 is the concluding verse of Jesus' final discourse to His disciples in the Upper Room (John 13-16), delivered just hours before His arrest and crucifixion. This entire discourse prepared the disciples for His departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit (the Helper), and the challenges they would face in a hostile world without His physical presence.

Earlier in chapter 16, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit convicting the world (v. 8), the world's joy at His death being turned into sorrow for the disciples (v. 20), and their sorrow turning into joy when He returns (v. 22). He then explained that they would soon be scattered (v. 32). This verse serves as Jesus' last encouraging statement before leading them to Gethsemane, summarizing the core message: true peace comes from union with Him, tribulation is inevitable from the world, but ultimate victory is already secured through His triumph over that very world system. It sets the tone for their mission, emphasizing that their struggles are real but overcome by Christ's decisive action.

John 16 33 Word analysis

• "These things" (ταῦτα, tauta): Refers collectively to the teachings, warnings, and promises Jesus has just given (Jn 13-16). This includes His identity, the command to love, the promise of the Holy Spirit, warnings about the world's hatred, and the assurance of His return and God's love.
• "I have spoken" (λελάληκα, lelalēka): From laléō. Perfect active indicative, indicating a completed action with continuing relevance. Jesus' words are settled and authoritative.
• "unto you" (ὑμῖν, hymin): Directly to the disciples, but through them, to all believers who would follow.
• "that in Me" (ἵνα ἐν ἐμοί, hina en emoi): This "that" introduces the purpose clause. "In Me" signifies intimate spiritual union and abiding fellowship with Christ, where peace is not merely external but internal and relational, flowing from His very person.
• "ye might have peace" (εἰρήνην ἔχητε, eirēnēn echēte):
  • "Peace" (εἰρήνη, eirēnē): In the biblical sense, this is much richer than merely the absence of conflict. It reflects the Hebrew concept of shalom, denoting wholeness, well-being, completeness, reconciliation with God, inner tranquility, prosperity, and harmony. It is a gift from Christ, contrasted with worldly peace.
• "In the world" (ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, en tō kosmō):
  • "World" (κόσμος, kosmos): Here, it refers not to the physical planet or humanity in general (as in John 3:16), but to the organized system of human life alienated from God, dominated by sin, and hostile to divine truth and Christ's followers.
• "ye shall have tribulation" (θλῖψιν ἕξετε, thlipsin hexete):
  • "Shall have" (ἕξετε, hexete): Future active indicative, emphasizing certainty. This is a divine certainty, not a possibility.
  • "Tribulation" (θλῖψιν, thlipsin): Derived from thlibō, meaning "to press," "squeeze," or "crush," like grapes in a winepress. It signifies pressure, affliction, distress, suffering, persecution, and hardship. It encompasses all forms of external pressure and internal distress that believers face because of their faith.
• "but be of good cheer" (ἀλλὰ θαρσεῖτε, alla tharseite):
  • "But" (ἀλλά, alla): A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting the contrast between expected tribulation and commanded courage.
  • "Be of good cheer" (θαρσεῖτε, tharseite): An imperative verb, "take courage," "be bold," "don't fear," "have confidence." It is a command to confront fear with faith and courage. This is a common phrase Jesus uses when His disciples are fearful (e.g., in a storm or when healing).
• "I have overcome" (ἐγὼ νενίκηκα, egō nenikēka):
  • "I" (ἐγώ, egō): The pronoun is emphatic in Greek, stressing that it is Christ, personally and singularly, who achieved this victory.
  • "Have overcome" (νενίκηκα, nenikēka): Perfect active indicative of nikaō, "to conquer," "to prevail," "to triumph." The perfect tense denotes a completed action in the past with ongoing, permanent effects. Jesus speaks of His victory as a present reality, though His crucifixion and resurrection were still in the immediate future. This highlights the certainty of His triumph through His life, death, and resurrection.
• "the world" (τὸν κόσμον, ton kosmon): The same "world" system that brings tribulation has already been conquered by Christ. His victory is over the powers of sin, death, the devil, and the anti-God system of this age.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace": Jesus' teachings are purposefully delivered to cultivate an internal peace for His followers, a peace sourced directly from their union with Him, despite the chaotic external environment.
• "In the world ye shall have tribulation": This is a direct prophecy and an unavoidable reality for believers. The phrase starkly contrasts the source of peace (in Christ) with the source of suffering (the fallen world system). Tribulation is not a sign of God's absence but an expected part of the believer's journey.
• "but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world": This powerful statement provides the foundational reason for the imperative to "be of good cheer." The Christian's courage in tribulation does not come from their own strength or from denying reality, but from resting in Christ's already accomplished, decisive, and permanent victory over the very "world" that brings affliction. This victory encompasses His conquest over sin, death, and Satan's power.

John 16 33 Bonus section

The emphatic "I" (ἐγὼ) in "I have overcome" is critical. It underscores that this victory is uniquely Christ's doing; it is not dependent on the disciples' strength or spiritual prowess. Their part is to receive this peace and courage through abiding in Him. This theological truth means that a believer's victory over the world (1 Jn 5:4) is derivative; it is a participation in Christ's original and complete triumph. It highlights a common Christian paradox: internal peace and joy despite external pressures, strength in weakness, life through death. Jesus is not offering a pep talk but stating an accomplished reality. His words were designed to instil an enduring confidence in His followers, preparing them for the intense challenges that lay ahead, yet grounding their future not in their resilience but in His sovereign, complete triumph.

John 16 33 Commentary

John 16:33 offers a profound and essential truth for Christian living: an honest acknowledgment of inevitable earthly struggle, juxtaposed with an unwavering assurance of spiritual peace and ultimate victory. Jesus does not promise an easy life or freedom from pain, but rather internal tranquility sourced from Him, even while external pressures mount.

His promise of peace (εἰρήνη, eirēnē, equivalent to shalom) is distinct from any superficial worldly peace. It is a peace with God (Rom 5:1), the peace of God guarding our hearts (Php 4:7), and the peace of Christ ruling within (Col 3:15). This divine shalom remains untouched by the chaos of the kosmos (world system hostile to God). The tribulation (θλῖψιν, thlipsin) spoken of is not merely general hardship but specific suffering encountered because of faithfulness to Christ. This is a certain destiny for disciples, not a surprising exception (Acts 14:22, 2 Tim 3:12).

However, the directive "be of good cheer" (θαρσεῖτε, tharseite) shifts the perspective from worldly suffering to divine triumph. This command to take courage is based entirely on Jesus' decisive declaration, "I have overcome the world." The perfect tense (νενίκηκα, nenikēka) indicates a completed victory with lasting effects, implying that the victory is already secured. This means His cross and resurrection are not just future events, but their triumphant power is already actualized and available. His conquest is over the power of sin, death, Satan, and the kosmos system that orchestrates enmity against God and His people. Therefore, while tribulation is experienced in the world, the believer’s standing, peace, and ultimate destiny are in Christ, who has triumphed over the world. This truth empowers believers to face every adversity with unwavering hope, knowing that in Christ, they share in His victory.

Examples for practical usage:

• A missionary facing persecution understands that while they "will have tribulation," their "peace in Christ" remains, grounded in His victory.
• A Christian suffering from illness or loss can still "be of good cheer" because Jesus' conquest over suffering and death assures ultimate healing and restoration in His eternal plan.
• Believers witnessing the decay and brokenness of the "world" can hold onto an inner "peace" knowing Christ has already won, and their hope is in His kingdom, not the fleeting systems of men.