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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 16:1-6

Christ dealt faithfully with his disciples when he sent them forth on his errands, for he told them the worst of it, that they might sit down and count the cost. He had told them in the chapter before to expect the world's hatred; now here in these verses, I. He gives them a reason why he alarmed them thus with the expectation of trouble: These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended, or scandalized, John 16:1. 1. The disciples of Christ are apt to be offended at the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 16:1-4

16:1-4 "I have spoken these things to you in case you should be caused to stumble in the way. They will excommunicate you from the synagogue. Yes, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think that he is rendering a service to God; and they will do these things because they did not recognize the Father or me. But I have spoken these things to you, so that when their time comes, you will remember that I spoke them to you." By the time John was writing it was inevitable that some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:1

These things have I spoken unto you ,.... Concerning the world's hatred and persecution of them, and the little regard they would show to their doctrine: these things Christ thought, proper to give them notice of before hand, that expecting them, they might be prepared for them, and be fortified against them; that , says he, ye should not be offended : his view in speaking of them, was not to discourage them, but to prevent their stumbling at them, and falling by them. Hardships... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:2

They shall put you out of the synagogues ,.... The Jews had made a law already, that he that confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, should be cast out of their synagogues; and they had put it in execution upon the blind man Christ restored to sight, for his profession of faith in him; which struck such a terror upon the people, that even many of the chief rulers who believed that Jesus was the true Messiah, durst not confess him, because of this law; for it was what they could not bear the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:3

And these things will they do unto you ,.... Christ here opens the true spring and source of the furious zeal of the Jews, against the apostles, in putting them out of their synagogues, and taking away their lives; it was pure wilful ignorance of the Father and himself; because they have not known the Father nor me ; though they boasted of their knowledge of God; yet they knew him not as the Father and sender of Christ, at least they would not own him as such: nor Jesus as the true... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:4

But these things have I told you ,.... Christ enlarged on this disagreeable subject, and was the more particular in enumerating the evils his apostles were to endure for his name's sake: that when the time shall come ; some copies read it, "their time"; so the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic render it; that is, the time when wicked men will be suffered to vent all their rage and malice: ye may remember that I told you of them ; which might serve greatly to confirm them in the faith... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:1

These things have I spoken - Particularly what is mentioned in the two last chapters. Be offended - Ἱνα μη σκανδαλισθητε , That ye should not be stumbled. May not fall away from the faith, nor receive any injury to your souls, as that man does to his body who stumbles, or falls over a stone, or block, in the way which he has not discovered. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:2

They shall put you out of the synagogues - They will excommunicate you, and consider you as execrable, and utterly unworthy to hold any commerce with God by religion; or with man by civil fellowship. See on John 9:22 ; (note). In these excommunications they were spoiled of all their substance, see Ezra 10:8 , and see also Hebrews 10:34 , and deprived of their character, their influence, and every necessary of life. Though the Jewish people had the most humane laws, yet they were a most... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:3

Because they have not known the Father - See on John 15:25 ; (note). Ignorance of the benevolence of God, and of the philanthropy of Christ, is the grand fountain whence all religious persecution and intolerance proceed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:4

At the beginning - I would not trouble you by speaking of these things pointedly at first, when I chose you to be my disciples, but have referred them to the present time, lest you should be discouraged; and now only declare them because it is absolutely necessary that you should be put upon your guard. read more

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