John 16:19-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 16:16-22

Our Lord Jesus, for the comfort of his sorrowful disciples, here promises that he would visit them again. I. Observe the intimation he gave them of the comfort he designed them, John 16:16. Here he tells them, 1. That they should now shortly lose the sight of him: A little while, and you that have seen me so long, and still desire to see me, shall not see me; and therefore, if they had any good question to ask him, they must ask quickly, for he was now taking his leave of them. Note, It is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 16:16-24

16:16-24 "In a little while you will not see me any more; and again in a little while you will see me." Some of his disciples said to each other: "What is the meaning of this that he is saying to us--'In a little while you will not see me, and again in a little while you will see me'? And what does he mean when he says: 'I am going to my Father'? What does he mean when he talks about 'A little'? We do not know what he means." Jesus knew that they wished to ask him their questions, and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:19

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him ,.... This is a proof of Christ's deity, that he is the omniscient God who knows all things, what is in man, even the secrets of the heart; for he not only knew the whisperings of the disciples, and their inquiries among themselves about the sense of his words, but also their secret desires to ask him concerning it: and said unto them, do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, a little while and ye shall not see me, and again a little... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you ,.... A strong asseveration, a way of speaking often used by him, when he solemnly affirms any thing, and would assure of the truth of it, as here: that ye shall weep and lament ; meaning at his death, when he should be removed from them, so that they should not see him; when they should be filled with inward grief on account thereof, and express it by mournful gestures, and a doleful voice; and which was fulfilled in them, Mark 16:10 ; and how pensive... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:21

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow ,.... As was said she should have, Genesis 3:16 ; This is God's ordination and appointment for sin: because her hour is come ; is at hand; the fixed time in nature is up, and there is no avoiding it: but as soon as she is delivered of the child ; for though the sorrow is great, yet there is a deliverance, and she is saved in child bearing: when she remembereth no more the anguish ; the sharp pains she has endured in her travail; for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow ,.... This is the application of the preceding case. As it is with a woman in travail, when her hour is come, so it was now with them, and would be when Christ was removed from them; and as it is with every believer, when Christ is absent: for though there are many things that cause sorrow now, as sin, Satan, and afflictive dispensations of providence, yet nothing more sensibly touches believers to the quick, and gives them more uneasiness, than when Christ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:20

Ye shall weep and lament - To see me crucified and laid in the grave. But the world shall rejoice - The chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, and persecuting Jews in general, will triumph, hoping that their bad cause is crowned with success. But your sorrow shall be turned into joy - When ye see me risen from the dead. It is very evident that our Lord uses the word world, in several parts of this discourse of his, to signify the unbelieving and rebellious Jews. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:21

For joy that a man is born - Ανθρωπος is put here for a human creature, whether male or female; as homo among the Romans denoted either man or woman. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:22

Your joy no man taketh from you - Or, shall take away. Some excellent MSS. and versions read the verb in the future tense. Our Lord's meaning appears to have been this: that his resurrection should be so completely demonstrated to them, that they should never have a doubt concerning it; and consequently that their joy should be great and permanent, knowing that the atonement was made, the victory gained, and the kingdom of heaven opened to all believers. Therefore it is said, Acts 4:33 ,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:19

Verse 19 19.Jesus, therefore, knew that they wished to ask him. Though sometimes the Lord appears to speak to the deaf, he, at length, cures the ignorance of his disciples, that his instruction may not be useless. Our duty is to endeavor that our slowness of apprehension may not be accompanied by either pride or indolence, but that, on the contrary, we show ourselves to be humble and desirous to learn. read more

Group of Brands