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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 16:3

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:3

Verse 3 3.And they will do these things. Not without good reason does Christ frequently remind the apostles of this consideration, that there is only one reason why unbelievers are so greatly enraged against them. It is, because they do not know God. And yet this is not said for the purpose of extenuating their guilt, but that the apostles may boldly despise their blind fury; for it often happens that the authority which wicked men possess, and the luster which shines in them, shake modest and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:1-4

A warning of future persecutions. Having spoken of the guilt of the persecutors, our Lord refers now to the sufferings of the disciples. I. THE DESIGN OF THE WARNING . "These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended." 1. The obstinate unbelief of the Jews would be not only a great surprise to the apostles , but a profound disappointment . They always lived in the expectation of a national conversion of Israel. 2. It was therefore necessary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:1-6

(c) The bitter issues of the hostility of the world . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:2-3

They (used impersonally, as the German man , or the French ou ) shall make you excommunicate — ἀποσυναγώγους "put you out of the synagogue," expel you from the fellowship of your country's worship (cf. John 9:22 and John 12:42 )— nay, further (the ἀλλὰ abruptly introduces a very much stronger assertion) an hour cometh, that — ἵνα is here, by Meyer and many others, said to involve a Divine order, purpose, or destiny, intended by the drawing on of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:2-3

Persecution foreseen and foretold. The great aim of the Lord Jesus, in his final conversations with his apostles, was to convince them of their perfect union with himself. They were the branches of the living vine; they were his beloved and confidential friends. Were these revelations made merely to assure them of privilege, merely to make them happy in the consciousness of an honorable and inseparable relation? Certainly not. This spiritual fellowship was to be the power for holy service... read more

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