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John Chapter
Sixteen
John 16
In chapter 16 a further step is taken in the revelation
of this grace. The Holy Ghost is looked upon as already here below.
In this chapter the Lord declares that He has set forth all His
instruction with regard to His departure; their sufferings in the world as
holding His place; their joy
as being in the same relationship to Him as that
in which He had been while on earth to His Father; their knowledge of the fact
that He was in the Father and they in Him
and He Himself in them; the gift of
the Holy Ghost
in order to prepare them for all that would happen when He was
gone
that they might not be offended. For they should be cast out of the
synagogues
and he who should kill them would think that he was serving God.
This would be the case with those who
resting in their old doctrines as a
form
and rejecting the light
would only use the form of truth by which they
accredited the flesh as orthodox to resist the light which
according to the
Spirit
would judge the flesh. This would they do
because they knew neither
the Father nor Jesus
the Son of the Father. It is fresh truth which tests the
soul
and faith. Old truth
generally received and by which a body of people
are distinguished from those around them
may be a subject of pride to the
flesh
even where it is the truth
as was the case with the Jews. But fresh
truth is a question of faith in its source: there is not the support of a body
accredited by it
but the cross of hostility and isolation. They thought they served
God. They knew not the Father and the Son.
Nature is occupied with that which it loses. Faith looks
at the future into which God leads. Precious thought! Nature acted in the
disciples: they loved Jesus; they grieved at His going away. We can understand
this. But faith would not have stopped there. If they had apprehended the
necessary glory of the Person of Jesus; if their affection
animated by faith
had thought of Him and not of themselves
they would have asked
"Whither
goest thou?" Nevertheless He who thought of them assures them that it
would be gain to them even to lose Him. Glorious fruit of the ways of God!
Their gain would be in this
that the Comforter should be here on earth with
them and in them. Here
observe
Jesus does not speak of the Father. It was the
Comforter here below in His stead
to maintain the testimony of His love for
the disciples
and His relationship to them. Christ was going away: for if He
went not away
the Comforter would not come; but if He departed
He would send
Him. When He was come
He would act in demonstration of the truth with regard
to the world that rejected Christ and persecuted His disciples; and He would
act for blessing in the disciples themselves.
With regard to the world
the Comforter had one only
subject of testimony
in order to demonstrate the sin of the world. It has not
believed in Jesus-in the Son. Doubtless there was sin of every kind
and
to
speak truth
nothing but sin-sin that deserved judgment; and in the work of
conversion
He brings these sins home to the soul. But the rejection of Christ
put the whole world under one common judgment. No doubt every one shall answer
for his sins; and the Holy Ghost makes me feel them. But
as a system
responsible to God
the world had rejected His Son. This was the ground on
which God dealt with the world now; this it was which made manifest the heart
of man. It was the demonstration that
God being fully revealed in love such as
He was
man would not receive Him. He came
not imputing their trespasses unto
them; but they rejected Him. The presence of Jesus was not the Son of God
Himself manifested in His glory
from which man might shrink with fear
though
he could not escape; it was what He was morally
in His nature
in His
character. Man hated Him: all testimony to bring man to God was unavailing. The
plainer the testimony
the more he turned from it and opposed it. The
demonstration of the sin of the world was its having rejected Christ. Terrible
testimony
that God in goodness should excite detestation because He was
perfect
and perfectly good! Such is man. The testimony of the Holy Ghost to
the world
as God's to Cain of old
would be
Where is my Son? It was not that
man was guilty; that he was when Christ came; but he was lost
the tree was
bad. [1]
But this was God's path to something altogether
different-the demonstration of righteousness
in that Christ went to His
Father
and the world saw Him no more. It was the result of Christ's rejection.
Human righteousness there was none. Man's sin was proved by the rejection of
Christ. The cross was indeed judgment executed upon sin. And in that sense it
was righteousness; but in this world it was the only righteous One condemned by
man and forsaken by God; it was not the manifestation of righteousness. It was
a final judicial separation between man and God (see chapters 11 and 12:31). If
Christ had been delivered there
and had become the King of Israel
this would
not have been an adequate consequence of His having glorified God. Having
glorified God His Father
He was going to sit at His right hand
at the right
hand of the Majesty on high
to be glorified in God Himself
to sit on the
Father's throne. To set Him there was divine righteousness (see chapter 13:31
32
and 17:1
4
5). This same righteousness deprived the world
as it is
of
Jesus for ever. Man saw Him no more. Righteousness in favour of men was in
Christ at God's right hand-in judgment as to the world
in that it had lost Him
hopelessly and for ever.
Moreover Satan had been proved to be the prince of this world by
leading all men against the Lord Jesus. To accomplish the purposes of God in
grace
Jesus does not resist. He gives Himself up to death. He who has the
power of death committed himself thoroughly. In his desire to ruin man he had
to hazard everything in his enterprise against the Prince of Life. He was able
to associate the whole world with himself in this
Jew and Gentile
priest and
people
governor
soldier
and subject. The world was there
headed by its
prince
on that solemn day. The enemy had everything at stake
and the world
was with him. But Christ has risen
He has ascended to His Father
and has sent
down the Holy Ghost. All the motives that govern the world
and the power by
which Satan held men captive
are shewn to be of him; he is judged. The power
of the Holy Ghost is the testimony of this
and surmounts all the powers of the
enemy. The world is not yet judged
that is
the judgment executed-it will be
in another manner; but it is morally
its prince is judged. All its motives
religious and irreligious
have led it to reject Christ
placing it under
Satan's power. It is in that character that he has been judged; for he led the
world against Him who is manifested to be the Son of God by the presence of the
Holy Ghost consequent on His breaking the power of Satan in death.
All this took place through the presence on earth of the
Holy Ghost
sent down by Christ. His presence in itself was the demonstration
of these three things. For
if the Holy Ghost was here
it was because the
world had rejected the Son of God. Righteousness was evidenced by Jesus being
at the right hand of God
of which the presence of the Holy Ghost was the
proof
as well as in the fact that the world had lost Him. Now the world which
rejected Him was not outwardly judged
but
Satan having led it to reject the
Son
the presence of the Holy Ghost proved that Jesus had destroyed the power
of death; that he who had possessed that power was thus judged; that he had
shewn himself to be the enemy of Him whom the Father owned; that his power was
gone
and victory belonged to the Second Adam
when Satan's whole power had
been arrayed against the human weakness of Him who in love had yielded to it.
But Satan
thus judged
was the prince of this world.
The presence of the Holy Ghost should be the
demonstration not of Christ's rights as Messiah
true as they were
but of
those truths that related to man-to the world
in which Israel was now lost
having rejected the promises
although God would preserve the nation for
Himself. But the Holy Ghost was doing something more than demonstrating the
condition of the world. He would accomplish a work in the disciples; He would
lead them into all truth
and He would shew them things to come; for Jesus had
many things to tell them which they were not yet able to bear. When the Holy
Ghost should be in them
He should be their strength in them as well as their
teacher; and it would be a wholly different state of things for the disciples.
Here He is considered as present on the earth in place of Jesus
and dwelling
in the disciples
not as an individual spirit speaking from Himself
but even
as Jesus said
"As I hear I judge
" with a judgment perfectly divine
and heavenly: so the Holy Ghost
acting in the disciples
would speak that
which came from above
and of the future
according to divine knowledge. It
should be heaven and the future of which He would speak
communicating what was
heavenly from above
and revealing events to come upon the earth
the one and
the other being witnesses that it was a knowledge which belonged to God. How
blessed to have that which He has to give!
But
further
He takes here the place of Christ. Jesus
had glorified the Father on earth. The Holy Ghost would glorify Jesus
with
reference to the glory that belonged to His Person and to His position. He does
not here speak directly of the glory of the Father. The disciples had seen the
glory of the life of Christ on earth; the Holy Ghost would unfold to them His
glory in that which belonged to Him as glorified with the Father-that which was
His own.
They would learn "in part." This is man's
measure when the things of God are in question
but its extent is declared by
the Lord Himself: "He shall glorify me
for he shall receive of mine
and
shall shew it unto you. An that the Father hath is mine: therefore
said I
He
shall take of mine
and shall shew it unto you."
Thus we have the gift of the Holy Ghost variously
presented in connection with Christ. In dependence on His Father
and
representing His disciples as gone up from among them
on their behalf
He
addresses Himself to the Father; He asks the Father to send the Holy Ghost
(chap. 14:16). Afterwards we find that His own name is all powerful. All
blessing from the Father comes in His name. It is on His account
and according
to the efficacy of His name
of all that in Him is acceptable to the Father
that good comes to us. Thus the Father will send the Holy Ghost in His name
(chap. 14:26). And Christ being glorified on high
and having taken His place
with His Father
He Himself sends the Holy Ghost (chap. 15:26) from the Father
as proceeding from Him. Finally
the Holy Ghost is present here in this world
in and with the disciples
and He glorifies Jesus
and takes of His and reveals
it to His own (chap. 16:13-15). Here all the glory of the Person of Christ is
set forth
as well as the rights belonging to the position He has taken.
"All things that the Father hath" are His. He has taken His position
according to the eternal counsels of God
in virtue of His work as Son of man.
But if He has entered into possession in this character
all that He possesses
in it is His
as a Son to whom (being one with the Father) all that the Father
has belongs.
There He should be hidden for a while: the disciples
should afterwards see Him
for it was only the accomplishment of the ways of
God; it was no question of being
as it were
lost by death. He was going to
His Father. On this point the disciples understood nothing. The Lord develops
the fact and its consequences
without yet shewing them the whole import of
what He said. He takes it up on the human and historical side. The world would
rejoice at having got rid of Him. Miserable joy! The disciples would lament
although it was the true source of joy for them; but their sorrow should be
turned into joy. As testimony
this took place when He shewed Himself to them
after His resurrection; it will be fully accomplished when He shall return to
receive them unto Himself. But when they had seen Him again
they should
understand the relationship in which He has placed them with His Father
they
should enjoy it by the Holy Ghost. It should not be as though they could not
themselves draw nigh to the Father
while Christ could do so (as Martha said
"I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God
he willgive it thee").
They might themselves go directly to the Father
who loved them
because they
had believed in Jesus
and had received Him when He had humbled Himself in this
world of sin (in principle it is always thus); and asking what they would in
His name they should receive it
so that their joy might be full in the
consciousness of the blessed position of unfailing favour into which they were
brought
and of the value of all that they possessed in Christ.
Nevertheless the Lord already declares to them the basis
of the truth-He came from the Father
He was going away to the Father. The
disciples think they understand that which He had thus spoken without a
parable. They felt that He had divined their thought
for they had not
expressed it to Him. Yet they did not rise really to the height of what He
said. He had told them that they had believed in His having come "from
God." This they understood; and that which had taken place had confirmed
them in this faith
and they declare their conviction with regard to this
truth; but they do not enter into the thought of coming "from the
Father
" and going away "to the Father." They fancied themselves
quite in the light; but they had apprehended nothing that raised them above the
effect of Christ's rejection
which the belief that He came from the Father and
was going to the Father would have done. Jesus therefore declares to them
that
His death would scatter them
and that they would forsake Him. His Father would
be with Him; He should not be alone. Nevertheless He had explained all these
things to them
in order that they should have peace in Him. In the world that
rejected Him they should have tribulation; but He had overcome the world
they
might be of good cheer.
This ends the conversation of Jesus with His disciples on
earth. In the following chapter He addresses His Father as taking His own place
in departing
and giving His disciples theirs (that is
His own)
with regard
to the Father and to the world
after He had gone away to be glorified with the
Father. The whole chapter is essentially putting the disciples in His own
place
after laying the ground for it in His own glorifying and work. It is
save the last verses
His place on earth. As He was divinely in heaven
and so
shewed a divine heavenly character on earth
so (He being glorified as man in
heaven) they
united with Him
were in turn to display the same. Hence we have
first the place He personally takes
and the work which entitles them to be in
it.
[1] Man
is judged for what he has done; he is lost by what he is.
── John Darby《Synopsis of John》
John 16
Chapter Contents
Persecution foretold. (1-6) The promise of the Holy
Spirit
and his office. (7-15) Christ's departure and return. (16-22)
Encouragement to prayer. (23-27) Christ's discoveries of himself. (28-33)
Commentary on John 16:1-6
(Read John 16:1-6)
Our Lord Jesus
by giving his disciples notice of
trouble
designed that the terror might not be a surprise to them. It is
possible for those who are real enemies to God's service
to pretend zeal for
it. This does not lessen the sin of the persecutors; villanies will never be
changed by putting the name of God to them. As Jesus in his sufferings
so his
followers in theirs
should look to the fulfilling of Scripture. He did not
tell them sooner
because he was with them to teach
guide
and comfort them;
they needed not then this promise of the Holy Spirit's presence. It will
silence us to ask
Whence troubles come? It will satisfy us to ask
Whither go
they? for we know they work for good. It is the common fault and folly of
melancholy Christians to look only on the dark side of the cloud
and to turn a
deaf ear to the voice of joy and gladness. That which filled the disciples'
hearts with sorrow
was too great affection for this present life. Nothing more
hinders our joy in God
than the love of the world
and the sorrow of the world
which comes from it.
Commentary on John 16:7-15
(Read John 16:7-15)
Christ's departure was necessary to the Comforter's
coming. Sending the Spirit was to be the fruit of Christ's death
which was his
going away. His bodily presence could be only in one place at one time
but his
Spirit is every where
in all places
at all times
wherever two or three are
gathered together in his name. See here the office of the Spirit
first to
reprove
or to convince. Convincing work is the Spirit's work; he can do it
effectually
and none but he. It is the method the Holy Spirit takes
first to
convince
and then to comfort. The Spirit shall convince the world
of sin; not
merely tell them of it. The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin; of the fault
of sin; of the folly of sin; of the filth of sin
that by it we are become
hateful to God; of the fountain of sin
the corrupt nature; and lastly
of the
fruit of sin
that the end thereof is death. The Holy Spirit proves that all
the world is guilty before God. He convinces the world of righteousness; that
Jesus of Nazareth was Christ the righteous. Also
of Christ's righteousness
imparted to us for justification and salvation. He will show them where it is
to be had
and how they may be accepted as righteous in God's sight. Christ's
ascension proves the ransom was accepted
and the righteousness finished
through which believers were to be justified. Of judgment
because the prince
of this world is judged. All will be well
when his power is broken
who made
all the mischief. As Satan is subdued by Christ
this gives us confidence
for
no other power can stand before him. And of the day of judgment. The coming of
the Spirit would be of unspeakable advantage to the disciples. The Holy Spirit
is our Guide
not only to show us the way
but to go with us by continued aids
and influences. To be led into a truth is more than barely to know it; it is
not only to have the notion of it in our heads
but the relish
and savour
and
power of it in our hearts. He shall teach all truth
and keep back nothing
profitable
for he will show things to come. All the gifts and graces of the
Spirit
all the preaching
and all the writing of the apostles
under the
influence of the Spirit
all the tongues
and miracles
were to glorify Christ.
It behoves every one to ask
whether the Holy Spirit has begun a good work in
his heart? Without clear discovery of our guilt and danger
we never shall
understand the value of Christ's salvation; but when brought to know ourselves
aright
we begin to see the value of the Redeemer. We should have fuller views
of the Redeemer
and more lively affections to him
if we more prayed for
and
depended on the Holy Spirit.
Commentary on John 16:16-22
(Read John 16:16-22)
It is good to consider how near our seasons of grace are
to an end
that we may be quickened to improve them. But the sorrows of the
disciples would soon be turned into joy; as those of a mother
at the sight of
her infant. The Holy Spirit would be their Comforter
and neither men nor
devils
neither sufferings in life nor in death
would ever deprive them of
their joy. Believers have joy or sorrow
according to their sight of Christ
and the tokens of his presence. Sorrow is coming on the ungodly
which nothing
can lessen; the believer is an heir to joy which no one can take away. Where
now is the joy of the murderers of our Lord
and the sorrow of his friends?
Commentary on John 16:23-27
(Read John 16:23-27)
Asking of the Father shows a sense of spiritual wants
and a desire of spiritual blessings
with conviction that they are to be had
from God only. Asking in Christ's name
is acknowledging our unworthiness to
receive any favours from God
and shows full dependence upon Christ as the Lord
our Righteousness. Our Lord had hitherto spoken in short and weighty sentences
or in parables
the import of which the disciples did not fully understand
but
after his resurrection he intended plainly to teach them such things as related
to the Father and the way to him
through his intercession. And the frequency
with which our Lord enforces offering up petitions in his name
shows that the
great end of the mediation of Christ is to impress us with a deep sense of our
sinfulness
and of the merit and power of his death
whereby we have access to
God. And let us ever remember
that to address the Father in the name of
Christ
or to address the Son as God dwelling in human nature
and reconciling
the world to himself
are the same
as the Father and Son are one.
Commentary on John 16:28-33
(Read John 16:28-33)
Here is a plain declaration of Christ's coming from the
Father
and his return to him. The Redeemer
in his entrance
was God manifest
in the flesh
and in his departure was received up into glory. By this saying
the disciples improved in knowledge. Also in faith; "Now are we
sure." Alas! they knew not their own weakness. The Divine nature did not
desert the human nature
but supported it
and put comfort and value into
Christ's sufferings. And while we have God's favourable presence
we are happy
and ought to be easy
though all the world forsake us. Peace in Christ is the
only true peace
in him alone believers have it. Through him we have peace with
God
and so in him we have peace in our own minds. We ought to be encouraged
because Christ has overcome the world before us. But while we think we stand
let us take heed lest we fall. We know not how we should act if brought into
temptation; let us watch and pray without ceasing
that we may not be left to
ourselves.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on John》
John 16
Verse 3
[3] And
these things will they do unto you
because they have not known the Father
nor
me.
They have not known the Father nor me — This is the true root of persecution in all its forms.
Verse 4
[4] 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.
I did not tell you these things at the
beginning
because I was with you — To bear the chief
shock in my own person
and to screen you from it.
Verse 5
[5] But
now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me
Whither goest
thou?
None of you asketh me — Now when it is most seasonable. Peter did ask this before
John 13:36.
Verse 7
[7]
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.
It is expedient for you — In respect of the Comforter
John 16:7
etc.
and of me
John 16:16
etc.
and of the Father
John 16:23
etc.
Verse 8
[8] And when he is come
he will reprove the world of sin
and of
righteousness
and of judgment:
He — Observe his twofold
office; toward the world
John 16:8
etc.; toward believers
John 16:12
etc.: will convince - All of the
world - Who do not obstinately resist
by your preaching and miracles
of sin
and of righteousness
and of judgment - He who is convinced of sin either
accepts the righteousness of Christ
or is judged with Satan. An abundant
accomplishment of this we find in the Acts of the Apostles.
Verse 9
[9] Of
sin
because they believe not on me;
Of sin —
Particularly of unbelief
which is the confluence of all sins
and binds them
all down upon us.
Verse 10
[10] Of
righteousness
because I go to my Father
and ye see me no more;
Of righteousness
because I go to my Father — Which the Spirit will testify
though ye do not then see me. But I could
not go to him if I were not righteous.
Verse 11
[11] Of
judgment
because the prince of this world is judged.
The prince of this world is judged — And in consequence thereof dethroned
deprived of the power he had so
long usurped over men. Yet those who reject the deliverance offered them will
remain slaves of Satan still.
Verse 12
[12] I
have yet many things to say unto you
but ye cannot bear them now.
I have yet many things to say — Concerning my passion
death
resurrection
and the consequences of it.
These things we have
not in uncertain traditions
but in the Acts
the
Epistles
and the Revelation.
But ye cannot bear them now — Both because of your littleness of faith
and your immoderate sorrow.
Verse 13
[13]
Howbeit when he
the Spirit 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.
When he is come — It
is universally allowed that the Father
Son
and Holy Ghost dwell in all
believers. And the internal agency of the Holy Ghost is generally admitted.
That of the Father and the Son
as represented in this Gospel
deserves our deepest
consideration.
Verse 15
[15] All
things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I
that he shall take of
mine
and shall shew it unto you.
All things that the Father hath are mine — Could any creature say this?
Verse 16
[16] A
little while
and ye shall not see me: and again
a little while
and ye shall
see me
because I go to the Father.
A little while and ye shall not see me — When I am buried: and again
a little while
and ye shall see me - When
I am risen: because I go to my Father - I die and rise again
in order to
ascend to my Father.
Verse 19
[19] Now
Jesus 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?
Jesus said to them —
Preventing their question.
Verse 20
[20]
Verily
verily
I say unto you
That ye shall weep and lament
but the world
shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful
but your sorrow shall be turned into
joy.
Ye will weep and lament — When ye see me dead; but your sorrow will be turned into joy - When ye
see me risen.
Verse 22
[22] And
ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again
and your heart shall
rejoice
and your joy no man taketh from you.
Ye now therefore have sorrow — This gives us no manner of authority to assert all believers must come
into a state of darkness. They never need lose either their peace
or love
or
the witness that they are the children of God. They never can lose these
but
either through sin
or ignorance
or vehement temptation
or bodily disorder.
Verse 23
[23] And
in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily
verily
I say unto you
Whatsoever
ye shall ask the Father in my name
he will give it you.
Ye shall not question me about any thing — Which you do not now understand. You will not need to inquire of me; for
you will know all things clearly.
Whatsoever ye shall ask — Knowledge
love
or any thing else
he will give it - Our Lord here
gives us a charte blanche. Believer
write down what thou wilt. He had said
John 14:13
I will do it
where the discourse
was of glorifying the Father through the Son. Here
speaking of the love of the
Father to believers
he saith
He will give it.
Verse 24
[24]
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask
and ye shall receive
that your
joy may be full.
Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name — For they had asked him directly for all they wanted.
Verse 26
[26] At
that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you
that I will pray the
Father for you:
At that day ye shall ask — For true knowledge begets prayer.
And I say not that I will pray — This in nowise implies that he will not: it means only
The Father
himself now loves you
not only because of my intercession
but also because of
the faith and love which he hath wrought in you.
Verse 30
[30] Now
are 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.
Thou knowest all things — Even our hearts. Although no question is asked thee
yet thou answerest
the thoughts of every one.
By this we believe that thou camest forth
from God — They
as it were
echo back the words
which he had spoken in John 16:27
implying
We believe in God; we
believe also in thee.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on John》
Chapter 16. The Spirit of Truth
The Biggest
Warning
The Greatest Comfort
I. The Work of
the Holy Spirit
II. Sorrow Will
Turn into Joy
III. Jesus Has
Overcome the World
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》