John – Chapter 16

New Testament33 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 16 of John begins: "These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized." Across its 33 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and suffering and trial. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized.

2They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth a service to God.

3And these things will they do to you; because they have not known the Father nor me.

4But these things I have told you, that when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.

5But I told you not these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: Whither goest thou?

6But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

7But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you.

8And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin and of justice and of judgment.

9Of sin: because they believed not in me.

10And of justice: because I go to the Father: and you shall see me no longer.

11And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged.

12I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now.

13But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall shew you.

14He shall glorify me: because he shall receive of mine and shall shew it to you.

15All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine. Therefore I said that he shall receive of me and shew it to you.

16A little while, and now you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me: because I go to the Father.

17Then some of his disciples said one to another: What is this that he saith to us: A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me, and, Because I go to the Father?

18They said therefore: What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he speaketh.

19And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask him. And he said to them: Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said: A little while, and you shall not see me; and again a little while, and you shall see me?

20Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22So also you now indeed have sorrow: but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice. And your joy no man shall take from you.

23And in that day you shall not ask me any thing. Amen, amen, I say to you: if you ask the Father any thing in my name, he will give it you.

24Hitherto, you have not asked any thing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive; that your joy may be full.

25These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs, but will shew you plainly of the Father.

26In that day, you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you that I will ask the Father for you.

27For the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God.

28I came forth from the Father and am come into the world: again I leave the world and I go to the Father.

29His disciples say to him: Behold, now thou speakest plainly and speakest no proverb.

30Now we know that thou knowest all things and thou needest not that any man should ask thee. By this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

31Jesus answered them: Do you now believe?

32Behold, the hour cometh, and it is now come, that you 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.

33These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world.

Important Verses in John 16

These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized.

John 16:1

But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall shew you.

John 16:13

For the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God.

John 16:27

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, John was written with the Church at the close of the apostolic age, led into the mystery of Christ's divinity in view. Chapter 16 of 21 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized." It concludes: "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have…" In terms of historical background, The fourth Gospel begins before creation: 'In the beginning was the Word. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 90-100, at Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

In this 33-verse passage, the sacred author describes events, speeches, or revelations central to Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads John 16 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1604).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Suffering, united to Christ, becomes a path of purification and deeper trust in God.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents John Chapter 16 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). The passage calls believers to grasp that I am the way, the truth, and the life.

May your reading of John Chapter 16 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how I am the way, the truth, and the life applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John Chapter 16 about?

John 16 contains 33 verses. It opens with "These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized." and closes with "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in John 16?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote John and when?

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition. About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

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