John 16 4

John 16:4 kjv

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

John 16:4 nkjv

But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

John 16:4 niv

I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you,

John 16:4 esv

But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. The Work of the Holy Spirit "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

John 16:4 nlt

Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.

John 16 verses

John 16 4 Meaning

Jesus prepares His disciples for future persecution by explicitly pre-warning them, clarifying that these sufferings are part of a divine plan rather than unforeseen setbacks. The purpose of this foreknowledge is that when these difficult times arrive, they will remember Jesus' words, strengthening their faith and validating His prophetic authority and the truth of His teachings. He explains that He had not revealed these specific severe persecutions from the very beginning of His ministry because He was physically present with them, providing comfort and protection, thus making such warnings less immediately necessary.

John 16 4 Context

John 16:4 is part of Jesus' farewell discourse (John chapters 13-17) given to His disciples just before His arrest and crucifixion. This specific section (16:1-6) immediately follows Jesus' pronouncements about the world's hatred and the coming persecution of His followers (15:18-27). He has just stated in John 16:1-3 that people would cast them out of synagogues and even kill them, believing they were serving God. Against this grim forecast, verse 4 offers explanation and assurance. Historically and culturally, for Jewish disciples, being excommunicated from the synagogue meant social ostracism, economic hardship, and religious isolation. Being warned of these events, especially murder, would naturally cause distress, so Jesus explains His timing and purpose. This context highlights Jesus' tender pastoral care alongside His clear prophecy of suffering.

John 16 4 Word analysis

• But these things (ταῦτα δὲ, tauta de): The "but" acts as a transitional marker, drawing a direct connection to the preceding warnings of persecution in Jn 16:1-3. "These things" directly refers to the specific trials: being cast out of synagogues and being killed. It signifies Jesus building upon prior declarations, emphasizing their seriousness and His foresight.
• I have told you (εἴρηκα ὑμῖν, eirēka hymin): The Greek perfect tense indicates a completed action ("I have spoken") with lasting results. Jesus' words are definitive, having present and future validity. It asserts His authority as a divine prophet and teacher, not merely speculating.
• that when the time comes (ἵνα ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἡ ὥρα, hina hotan elthē hē hōra): "Hina" expresses purpose ("so that"). "Hōra" (hour/time) implies a divinely appointed, specific period of events. This is not a vague future, but a destined "crisis" or "moment" for the church. It suggests God's sovereign hand in unfolding prophecy, ensuring events align with His predetermined plan.
• you may remember (μνημονεύητε, mnēmoneuēte): More than just recall, this implies active recollection, recognition, and retaining in one's heart. The purpose of His forewarning is for their endurance, not merely intellectual knowledge. This remembering reinforces their faith during times of trial, connecting present suffering back to Jesus' past words. It helps them avoid despair and strengthens their testimony.
• that I told you of them (ὅτι ἐγὼ εἶπον ὑμῖν, hoti egō eipon hymin): The emphatic "ἐγὼ" (egō, "I myself") highlights Jesus as the authoritative source of these predictions. This isn't information from another, but directly from the Lord. Remembering that Jesus spoke it would be a powerful antidote to doubt and fear, solidifying His unique identity as Messiah.
• I did not tell you these things from the beginning (ἀπ' ἀρχῆς οὐκ εἶπον ὑμῖν ταῦτα, ap' archēs ouk eipon hymin tauta): "Ap' archēs" refers to the commencement of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus exercised divine pedagogy, revealing truths as the disciples were able to bear them, respecting their developmental spiritual capacity. This showcases a measured, wise revelation of challenging truths.
• because I was with you (ὅτι μεθ' ὑμῶν ἤμην, hoti meth' hymin ēmen): His physical presence offered immediate comfort, protection, and clarification. While Jesus was with them, He could personally guide, console, and defend them. This reason underscores the shift that His impending departure will bring; new means of divine support (the Holy Spirit and the remembered Word) would become essential.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But these things I have told you, that when the time comes...": This clause sets up the predictive nature of Jesus' words and their future fulfillment. It signifies His divine foresight and proactive care, contrasting human ignorance with divine omniscience. This foreshadows a test of faith where their memory of His words becomes crucial.
• "you may remember that I told you of them": This phrase details the direct spiritual and psychological impact intended by Jesus' pre-warnings. Remembering Jesus as the source of these truths would prevent stumbling, offering perspective, solace, and the conviction that God remains in control, even amid seemingly chaotic events. It counters any potential polemic that suffering negates God's plan.
• "I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you": This clarifies Jesus' divine wisdom in timing His revelations. It indicates that direct experience of Jesus' comforting presence postponed the need for explicit, alarming predictions about severe future suffering. It emphasizes the sufficiency of His physical presence for their spiritual security at that particular stage, while also explaining the need for such warnings now that His physical presence is about to cease. This also subtly prepares them for a transition in how they would experience divine presence (from physical to spiritual via the Holy Spirit).

John 16 4 Bonus section

• Apostolic Continuity: This verse subtly lays a foundation for apostolic teaching. When the disciples remembered Jesus' words amidst persecution, it affirmed their mission and message, becoming the core of their proclamation. The "telling" and "remembering" dynamic ensures fidelity to Christ's original teaching through trials.
• Disorientation Avoidance: The explicit goal of the pre-warning is to prevent spiritual disorientation. When unprecedented suffering arises, one might question God's love, justice, or power. Jesus' foreknowledge validates God's overarching plan, helping believers avoid falling away from faith due to bewilderment.
• Empowerment for Witness: Far from causing fear, the remembering of Jesus' words amidst trials was meant to empower them to bear witness. Their steadfastness despite suffering would demonstrate the truth of Jesus' claims and the power of God. The warnings transform from disheartening prophecies into calls for courage and evangelistic opportunity.

John 16 4 Commentary

John 16:4 is a profoundly pastoral and prophetic verse. Jesus anticipates the disciples' future distress and proactively provides them with anchors for their faith: His prophetic words and the knowledge of His divine oversight. His "telling beforehand" serves not to alarm, but to prevent them from "stumbling" (Jn 16:1) or becoming disoriented when the predicted persecution erupts. This act of forewarning establishes the sovereignty of God over historical events, even the suffering of His people, and strengthens belief in Jesus as the one who knows the end from the beginning. His explanation for the delayed revelation—"because I was with you"—shows His tender pedagogy. His physical presence sufficed for their present comfort and guidance. However, with His imminent departure, a different form of reassurance would be needed, provided through the power of His remembered word, soon to be coupled with the indwelling Spirit. This verse bridges Jesus' earthly ministry with the coming age of the church, guided by the Holy Spirit, prepared for trials by the Word. For believers today, it means that expected difficulties are not signs of God's absence or disinterest, but confirmations of His foreknowledge, inviting us to recall His promises for strength and endurance.