📖 John — Chapter 16 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
John 16:1 RThese things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
John 16:2 They Rshall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
John 16:3 And these things will they do unto you, Rbecause they have not known the Father, nor me.
John 16:4 But these things have I told you, Rthat 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 16:5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, RWhither goest thou?
John 16:6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
John 16:7 Nevertheless RI 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 16:8 And when he is come, Rhe will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:9 ROf sin, because they believe not on me;
John 16:10 Of Rrighteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
John 16:11 Of Rjudgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:12 I have Ryet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the RSpirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 16:14 He shall Rglorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, Rbecause I go to the Father.
John 16:17 Then Rsaid some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
John 16:18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
John 16:19 Now RJesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, RThat ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
John 16:21 A Rwoman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
John 16:22 And Rye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, RWhatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: Rask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
John 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
John 16:27 For Rthe Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
John 16:28 I Rcame forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 16:29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
John 16:30 Now Rare we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
John 16:31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
John 16:32 Behold, Rthe hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that Rin me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
John 16:1–15 — Opposition and the Comforter’s ministry are explained
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus warns about persecution by people who suppose they serve God. His departure leads to the Comforter’s coming, whose work concerns sin, righteousness, judgment, guidance in truth, and glorifying the Son.
Key Truth: Let promised help sustain faithfulness without denying the reality of opposition.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not …” (John 16:1)
Find it in John 16:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Of ____ , because I go to my Father, and ye see …” (John 16:10)
Find it in John 16:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… they do unto you, because they have not known the ____ , nor me.” (John 16:3)
Find it in John 16:3 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 16:16–24 — Sorrow will be turned into joy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The disciples are puzzled by Jesus’ words about a little while. He compares their coming sorrow and joy to childbirth and speaks of renewed sight, lasting joy, and asking the Father in his name.
Key Truth: Bring sorrow and requests to God with confidence in Jesus’ promise.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… and ye shall see me, because I go to the ____ .” (John 16:16)
Find it in John 16:16 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your ____ may be full.” (John 16:24)
Find it in John 16:24 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye …” (John 16:24)
Find it in John 16:24 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 16:25–33 — The Father’s love and Jesus’ victory prepare for scattering
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus speaks more plainly concerning the Father’s love and his coming and going. The disciples profess belief, but he foretells their scattering and promises peace amid worldly tribulation because he has overcome.
Key Truth: Trust Jesus’ victory with humility about your own weakness.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… I say not unto you, that I will pray the ____ for you:” (John 16:26)
Find it in John 16:26 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “His ____ said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest …” (John 16:29)
Find it in John 16:29 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have ____ . In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be …” (John 16:33)
Find it in John 16:33 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 30:5 — The movement from weeping to joy offers a connection with Jesus’ encouragement.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can Jesus’ promise of peace shape a faithful response to present trouble?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes John 16:1–15 (Opposition and the Comforter’s ministry are explained) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes John 16:16–24 (Sorrow will be turned into joy) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes John 16:25–33 (The Father’s love and Jesus’ victory prepare for scattering) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What does the Spirit of truth's promised work include?
5. How does Jesus hold peace and tribulation together?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation