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 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 14:29 | "And now I have told you before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe." | Direct Parallel; Jesus' forewarning |
| John 13:19 | "I am telling you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe." | Parallel; Assurance through foreknowledge |
| John 16:33 | "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.” | Purpose of Jesus' words: peace in tribulation |
| Acts 11:16 | "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” | Fulfillment of prophecy; remembered word |
| Acts 20:25 | "And now, behold, I know that all you among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom will not see my face again." | Jesus' foreknowledge of future events |
| Romans 15:4 | "For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." | Scripture as instruction and hope |
| 1 Corinthians 10:11 | "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for admonition to us on whom the end of the age has come." | Past events as examples for present |
| 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." | Scripture's divine authority and purpose |
| Hebrews 2:12 | "...I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the church I will sing your praises.” (quoting Psalm 22:22) | Jesus proclaiming God's name within the church |
| Hebrews 4:14 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession." | Jesus as our High Priest |
| 1 Peter 1:7 | "so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found resulting in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." | Purpose of trials and testing |
| 1 Peter 4:12-13 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to put you to the test, as though somethinges was happening to you." | Not being surprised by trials |
| 1 John 2:27 | "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as that anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you—abide in him." | The Holy Spirit as teacher |
| Isaiah 43:13 | "Yea, before the day was, I am he. And there is none that can deliver out of my hand. I will work, and who can turn it back?” | God's eternal nature and sovereignty |
| Psalm 139:4 | "Before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether." | God's omniscience |
| Jeremiah 29:11 | "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." | God's purposeful plans |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” | Empowerment by the Holy Spirit |
| John 15:15 | "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father have made known to you." | Disciples as friends |
| John 14:26 | "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." | The Spirit's role as remembrancer |
John 16 verses
John 16 4 Meaning
These things I have spoken to you, so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you.
John 16 4 Context
In John chapter 16, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his impending departure, the suffering they will face, and the subsequent coming of the Holy Spirit. This particular verse comes as Jesus concludes his intimate conversation with them, directly after foretelling their future persecution and the world's opposition to them because of his name. He has just spoken about the grief they will experience at his crucifixion, but also about the joy that will follow his resurrection and the eventual spiritual comfort and guidance they will receive. This verse, therefore, serves as a summary statement of Jesus' intention behind all these disclosures.
John 16 4 Word Analysis
- Ταῦτα (tauta): "These." Refers to the teachings, predictions, and reassurances Jesus has just imparted in chapters 15 and 16, particularly concerning his imminent suffering, the disciples' future hardship, the world's hatred, the Advocate (Holy Spirit), His return to the Father, and the coming joy.
- Εἴρηκα (eirēka): "I have spoken." This is the perfect tense of the verb legeō (to say, to speak). The perfect tense emphasizes the completed action with continuing results. Jesus' words are spoken, finished, and their effect—the enablement of remembrance—is still operative.
- Ὑμῖν (hymin): "To you." The plural "you" addresses the gathered disciples, specifically the inner circle with whom Jesus shared this intimate discourse.
- Ἵνα (hina): "So that," "in order that." This conjunction introduces the purpose clause for Jesus' speaking.
- Ὅταν (hotan): "When." This introduces a temporal clause, referring to a future point in time.
- Ἔλθῃ (elthē): "It comes," "arrives." The aorist subjunctive of erchomai (to come). This verb often denotes the arrival of a significant event or period. In this context, it refers to the time of tribulation and persecution the disciples would face, or possibly the completion of Jesus' redemptive work and the establishment of His kingdom.
- Ἡ (hē): "The." Definite article.
- ὥρα (hōra): "Hour." A common Johannine term for the appointed time of crisis, suffering, and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus' ministry, especially His crucifixion and glorification.
- Ὑμνεῖτε (hymneite) / Μνημονεύητε (mnēmoneuēte): There is a variant reading here in the manuscripts. Some, including many ancient Greek manuscripts, read "hymnēte" (you may sing hymns), while others, notably some significant early ones, read "mnēmoneuēte" (you may remember). The majority of scholars lean towards "mnēmoneuēte" (remember) as the more likely original reading, given the preceding context of Jesus explaining His predictions so they would recall them later during difficult times.
- If ἳνα ὑμνεῖτε (hina hymneite - that you may sing hymns): This would suggest that in remembering His words and their fulfillment, they would indeed praise and glorify Him.
- If ἳνα μνημονεύητε (hina mnēmoneuēte - that you may remember): This aligns directly with the preceding "These things I have spoken to you." The purpose of the speaking is remembrance when the foretold events transpire. This allows them to connect the present circumstances with Jesus' earlier words, strengthening their faith and grounding them in His truth amidst trials.
- Ὅτι (hoti): "That," "because." Introduces the content of their remembrance or praise.
- Ἐγώ (egō): "I." Emphatic personal pronoun.
- Εἶπον (eipon): "Said," "spoke." The aorist indicative of legō (to say, to speak). Refers to the specific words Jesus uttered.
- Ὑμῖν (hymin): "To you."
Words Group Analysis:
- "Ταῦτα εἴρηκα ὑμῖν" (Tauta eirēka hymin): "These things I have spoken to you." This succinctly summarizes the discourse that has taken place. It emphasizes the totality of Jesus' communication, ensuring no misunderstanding of the scope of His message.
- "Ἵνα ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἡ ὥρα" (Hina hotan elthē hōra): "So that when the hour comes." This establishes a causal and temporal link. Jesus' current discourse is instrumental for their future response to an upcoming critical period. The "hour" signifies a moment of divine reckoning and fulfillment.
- "μνημονεύητε" (mnēmoneuēte - assuming the majority reading): "you may remember." This is the crucial outcome. Jesus is equipping them with a foreknowledge that will serve as an anchor when trials hit. Their memory of His words will facilitate understanding, perseverance, and faith.
John 16 4 Bonus Section
This verse underscores a key hermeneutical principle in understanding Jesus' teachings, particularly in John's Gospel: the concept of eschatological fulfillment occurring not just at the end of time, but in anticipated future events within the disciples' experience. The foreknowledge imparted is a testament to Jesus' divine identity and His relationship with the Father. It demonstrates that the future is not random but is subject to God's foreordination and revealed purposes through Christ. This teaching equips believers to interpret present difficulties not as failures of God, but as foreseen stages in His redemptive plan, thereby fostering steadfastness and a hope rooted in divine foreknowledge.
John 16 4 Commentary
Jesus provides His disciples with advance notice of future events and His own planned departure. This is not to cause them distress but to serve a specific pastoral purpose: remembrance. When the difficult times come, when His predictions about persecution and suffering begin to manifest, the disciples will be able to recall His words. This foresight aims to:
- Strengthen their faith: By remembering that Jesus told them this would happen, they will not be caught off guard, and their belief in Him and His divine knowledge will be confirmed rather than shaken by hardship.
- Provide assurance: Knowing that these events were foreseen and spoken of by Jesus reassures them that He is in control and that the events are part of His divine plan.
- Offer comfort: In their moments of grief and confusion, remembering Jesus’ promise of the Advocate (Holy Spirit) who would come, and His own eventual return to the Father, offers hope.The variant reading ("sing hymns" versus "remember") highlights the outcome of remembering. Remembering leads to worship and praise, demonstrating how faith in God’s foreknowledge results in doxology even amidst suffering. Jesus' words are seeds planted for future harvest, enabling faith and understanding when the temporal reality unfolds.