John 16:16 A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”
Again, because Jesus is speaking in veiled language, in confusion, the disciples ask each other for clarification. “What is this he says to us?”
Jesus explains that although he has a lot of information to give them, it would be too overwhelming for them to hear it all at one time. They needed to digest and understand what they had just been given. The main takeaway from what Jesus had just revealed was that once he is gone the Spirit of truth…will guide you into all truth.
John 16:19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?’ 20 Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23a In that day you will ask me no questions.”
Seeing that his disciples were talking among themselves still trying to figure out this new teaching, so that they will not be taken by surprise, Jesus adds that because of what is coming they will weep and lament. But in contrast to their weeping, the world will rejoice.
To make things a little clearer without giving too much away, Jesus compares what they are about to go through to the experience of childbirth. Labor can be one of the most excruciating pains a woman must endure…but when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. Similarly, for the disciples, seeing the arrest, scourging, trial, mocking, crucifixion, and death of Jesus will be almost unbearable. But after his resurrection, ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit of power, their hearts will rejoice and no one will take [their] joy away.
“In that day you will ask me no questions.” In seeing the resurrection, the risen Christ, all of their questions will have been answered.
John 16:23b “Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. 25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”
29 His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech. 30 Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
When you pray do you ask that your prayers be answered “in Jesus’ Name?”
We pray in Jesus’ name because we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, 1 John 2:1, standing before the Father interceding for us.
The disciples were relieved to hear these things and in response to this good news, said, “By this we believe that you came from God.”
John 16:31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
While it was good that the disciples believed that Christ came from God, Jesus issued them another bit of information as a caution. “You will all be scattered…you will leave me…” But even though you will leave me “I am not alone because the Father is with me.”
Why did Jesus tell them that they would be scattered and leave him?
First, Jesus assured them that though they will scatter and abandon him, God the Father will remain with Jesus.
Second, like the disciples, we are all, at times, afraid. We succumb to peer pressure. We harbor doubts. We run when threatened with trouble; however we can be sure of this, even if we are faithless he remains faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 Such an amazing promise gives us real peace. Yes, we will have trouble, and even if that trouble is of our own doing, our Savior assures us, “Cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
After alerting the disciples of the trying times ahead Jesus proceeds to pray to God the Father for them. And as we will see, Jesus prayed, not only for his disciples but for all believers who would follow them.
Were you aware that Jesus actually prays for you?