John 16 9

John 16:9 kjv

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

John 16:9 nkjv

of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

John 16:9 niv

about sin, because people do not believe in me;

John 16:9 esv

concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;

John 16:9 nlt

The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me.

John 16 verses

John 16 9 Meaning

John 16:9 states that the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus would send, would convict the world "concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me." This verse reveals the Holy Spirit's primary work in exposing humanity's deepest sin: the rejection of Jesus Christ. It is not just about general moral failings, but the foundational refusal to place faith in the Son of God, which ultimately stems from a lack of faith in God Himself and His redemptive plan. The Spirit's conviction makes evident that all other sins flow from this root of unbelief.

John 16 9 Context

John 16:9 is part of Jesus' "Farewell Discourse" delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room just before His crucifixion. In this discourse (Jn 13-17), Jesus is preparing them for His imminent departure, the challenges they will face, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He introduces the Spirit as the "Helper" or "Counselor" (Paraclete), who will not only be with the disciples but also engage with "the world" (κόσμος, kosmos, referring to humanity hostile to God). The specific role of the Spirit outlined here (Jn 16:8-11) is to "convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment." Verse 9 specifically elaborates on the conviction "concerning sin," pinpointing unbelief in Jesus Christ as the fundamental issue. This conviction highlights the direct contrast between Jesus' truth and the world's pervasive rejection of Him.

John 16 9 Word analysis

• concerning (περὶ, peri): This Greek preposition often denotes "about," "with respect to," or "in reference to." Here, it directs the focus of the Holy Spirit's conviction to a specific subject—sin. It means the conviction will be about sin, making it plain and clear to the world.

• sin (ἁμαρτίας, hamartias): From the Greek noun ἁμαρτία (hamartia), meaning "a missing of the mark," "a falling short," "transgression." In theological terms, it is not merely a breaking of a rule but an offense against God. In this specific context, the ensuing clause immediately specifies which sin is central: the rejection of Jesus.

• because (ὅτι, hoti): This conjunction acts as a causal link, directly explaining why the Holy Spirit convicts concerning sin. The reason for this particular sin's prominence is directly stated in the following phrase. It clarifies the specific nature of the sin.

• they do not believe (οὐ πιστεύουσιν, ou pisteuousin):

  • they do not (οὐ, ou): A strong negative particle in Greek, directly negating the verb "believe." It signifies an objective and definite "not."
  • believe (πιστεύουσιν, pisteuousin): From the verb πιστεύω (pisteuo), meaning "to put one's trust in," "to have faith," "to rely upon." The present active indicative form implies a continuing state or action, describing the persistent unbelief of the world. It’s an active rejection, not passive ignorance.

• in Me (εἰς ἐμέ, eis eme):

  • in (εἰς, eis): This preposition means "into," "unto," or "towards." In the context of belief, it signifies the direction and object of one's faith, pointing to an intimate and personal relationship with that object.
  • Me (ἐμέ, eme): The emphatic first-person singular pronoun, referring directly to Jesus Christ. He is the explicit, indispensable object of belief. Without belief in Him, the world remains under the conviction of sin.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me": This crucial phrase collapses the concept of general human sinfulness into one specific, foundational act: the refusal to believe in Jesus Christ. The Spirit's conviction makes it clear that while there are many transgressions, the root issue for humanity's estrangement from God is its failure to embrace God's ultimate self-revelation and saving grace offered in His Son. This unbelief isn't just an intellectual oversight but a volitional rebellion and rejection of God's authority and love, culminating in His Son.

John 16 9 Bonus section

• The "conviction" (ἐλέγξει, elegxei) by the Holy Spirit is more than merely pointing out fault; it's a powerful, compelling exposure of truth, leading to an undeniable realization of guilt or error. It pierces the heart and conscience, making one's unbelief inescapable.
• This specific teaching by Jesus highlights a profound theological truth: all human sin is ultimately a manifestation of unbelief or a lack of trust in God. When the world refuses to believe in Jesus, it denies God's truth, rejects His authority, and attempts to live autonomously, inevitably leading to moral and spiritual corruption. Therefore, addressing unbelief is paramount to addressing sin itself.
• The world's hostility to Jesus is not simply ignorance; it's a culpable rejection, often driven by a preference for darkness over light, as highlighted in John 3:19. The Spirit's conviction, therefore, calls for a conscious, decisive response to the Person of Jesus.

John 16 9 Commentary

John 16:9 is profound because it identifies the foundational sin that the Holy Spirit makes known to the world: not murder, theft, or any other moral failing as primary, but the willful rejection of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. While all humanity is stained by sin, Jesus teaches that the ultimate culpability and the focal point of the Spirit's conviction concern the world's failure to embrace Him. This is the lynchpin because without faith in Christ, there is no redemption from sin, no justification before God, and no access to eternal life. The Spirit's role is to illuminate this damning truth, showing humanity that their spiritual lostness stems from their relationship with Jesus—or rather, their lack thereof. This conviction is essential, as it often precedes repentance and true saving faith.