John 16 7

John 16:7 kjv

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 16:7 nkjv

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

John 16:7 niv

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:7 esv

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:7 nlt

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.

John 16 verses

John 16 7 Meaning

Jesus tells His disciples that His departure is beneficial because if He does not go, the Helper (the Holy Spirit) will not come to them. The sending of the Spirit is contingent upon Jesus' physical absence. His departure makes way for the Spirit's empowering presence and ministry among believers, which will be more effective in conviction and guidance than Jesus' physical presence alone.

John 16 7 Context

This verse is part of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples in the upper room, recorded in John chapters 13-17. He is preparing them for His imminent crucifixion and physical departure from them. He addresses their sadness and explains the paradoxical benefit of His going away: the sending of the Holy Spirit, who will then actively indwell and empower them. This discourse is taking place shortly before Jesus' arrest, emphasizing His foreknowledge and control over the events. The audience is the eleven faithful apostles, shortly before Pentecost.

John 16 7 Word Analysis

• but (ἀλλά - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a shift in thought from sorrow over Jesus' departure to the positive outcome it enables.
• I (ἐγώ - ego): Emphasizes Jesus as the speaker, lending personal authority and truth to His statement.
• tell (λέγω - lego): To say, speak, tell. Jesus speaks truth.
• you (ὑμῖν - hymin): The plural "you," referring to the disciples as a group.
• the truth (τὴν ἀλήθειαν - ten alētheian): The reality, the truth. Jesus affirms the veracity of what He is about to say.
• it is (συμφέρει - sympherei): It is expedient, profitable, beneficial. A key concept indicating advantage.
• necessary (συμφέρει - sympherei): While translated as "necessary," it carries a strong sense of "advantageous" or "beneficial." The benefit outweighs the temporary absence.
• for me (ἐμοὶ - emoi): To me, for me. It is to Jesus' own advantage (in fulfilling His mission) and beneficial for the disciples.
• to go away (ἀπελθεῖν - apelthein): To depart, go away, leave. Refers to His impending physical departure by death and ascension.
• for (ἐάν - ean): If. Introducing a conditional clause.
• if (μὴ - mē): Not. Used with the subjunctive to express a negative condition.
• I (ἐγὼ - ego): Again, personal emphasis.
• do not (οὐκ - ouk): Negating the verb.
• go away (ἀπέλθω - apelthō): Perfect subjunctive form of the verb to go away.
• the Helper (ὁ Παράκλητος - ho Paraklētos): The Comforter, Advocate, Helper, Intercessor. A rich term for the Holy Spirit.
• will not (οὐ μὴ - ou mē): A strong double negative, expressing absolute certainty of the non-arrival.
• come (ἔλθῃ - elthē): Arrive, come.
• to you (ὑμῖν - hymin): To you, the disciples.
• but (ἐὰν δὲ - ean de): But if. Introducing a second conditional clause.
• I (ἐγὼ - ego): Jesus.
• go (ἀπέλθω - apelthō): Go away.
• I (κᾀγὼ - kagō): I also. And I.
• will send (πέμψω - pempō): I will send. Jesus will actively send the Spirit.
• him (αὐτόν - auton): The Helper (the Holy Spirit).
• to you (ὑμῖν - hymin): To you, the disciples.

Word Group Analysis:

• "it is necessary for me to go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.": This forms a conditional, cause-and-effect statement. The core argument is that Jesus' departure is a prerequisite for the Spirit's coming. The Greek idiom "ou mē" (οὐ μὴ) indicates a very strong negative certainty about the Spirit not coming without Jesus' departure. The contrast highlights the divine strategy.

John 16 7 Bonus Section

The term "Parakletos" (Παράκλητος) is a significant New Testament word. It describes one who is called to stand by another, to aid, to assist, to defend. It encompasses the roles of advocate, comforter, counselor, and intercessor. Jesus, before this discourse, identified Himself as the Paraklete to His disciples (John 14:16). By stating that He will send another Paraklete, Jesus assures them that the Spirit will perform the same functions, and more, in His absence. The necessity of Jesus' ascension to the Father for the Spirit’s mission echoes the Old Testament principle where priesthood often required a transition of authority and place. For instance, in Elijah’s ministry, his departure in a chariot of fire paved the way for Elisha’s greater outpouring of the Spirit. This promise is the foundation for the empowering experience of the early church at Pentecost.

John 16 7 Commentary

Jesus underscores a pivotal truth: His physical absence is not a loss but a strategic necessity for the fullness of God’s presence. The Holy Spirit, the Paraklete, cannot be sent until Jesus returns to the Father. This departure allows the Spirit to indwell believers universally, a role different from Jesus' earthly, localized ministry. The Spirit's mission, as detailed in the following verses, is to continue Jesus’ work of conviction, guidance, and empowerment, bringing His truths to full fruition in the hearts of His followers and confronting the world with its sin, righteousness, and judgment. This principle teaches believers that true advancement often follows apparent setbacks or absences.