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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 16:25 - 16:28
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_16:25-28
25"These things I have spoken to you in a figurative language; an hour is coming when I will speak no more to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; 27for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. 28I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father."
Joh_16:25 "figurative language" Jesus' teachings had a two-fold effect: (1) it opened up understanding and (2) it blocked understanding (cf. Mar_4:10-11; Isa_6:9-10; Jer_5:21). The heart of the hearer is the key to effectual understanding. However, there were truths that even the saved could not grasp until after the Passion week events (crucifixion, resurrection, resurrection appearances, ascension) and Pentecost.
The post-resurrection appearance to the two on the road to Emmaus (cf. Luk_24:13-35) may give a clue as to how Jesus taught the Apostles (cf. Joh_16:25-27; Joh_16:29). He Himself in His post-resurrection appearances showed how the OT applied to and foreshadowed His ministry. This set the pattern for Peter's preaching in Acts (kerygma, see Special Topic at Joh_5:39).
▣ "will tell you plainly" See Special Topic: Boldness (Parrhçsia) at Joh_7:4.
Joh_16:26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf" This verse expresses an important truth. Many modern Christians feel they cannot approach God directly! However, the Bible teaches that
1. the Spirit prays for believers (cf. Rom_8:26-27)
2. the Son intercedes for believers in 1Jn_2:1
3. believers can approach God directly in prayer because of Christ
Joh_16:27 "for the Father Himself loves you" This term for "love " is phileô, which is also used in Joh_5:20 for the Father's love for Jesus. What a tremendous statement which reinforces Joh_3:16 (which uses agapaô). It is not a reluctant God whom Jesus has to placate, but a loving Father with whom Jesus works to accomplish Their redemptive purposes!
NASB "from the Father"
NKJV, NRSV,
TEV, NJB "from God"
There are two Greek manuscript variants: (1) "God" or "Father" and (2) the presence or absence of the article. "God" appears in MSS P5, cf8 i2, A, and N, while "the God" appears in MSS C3 and W. This seems to be the more difficult and unusual wording. It is one of the tenants of Textual Criticism (see Appendix) that the most difficult or unusual text is probably the original that scribes tended to alter. The United Bible Societies' Greek New Testament gives it a "C" rating (difficulty in deciding).
However "Father" appears in cf8 i1 and "the Father" in B, C*, D, and L. It fits the context best.
▣ "because you have loved Me and believed that I came forth" These are two perfect active indicatives. Love and belief in Jesus set the stage for fellowship with the Father. The statement in A Translator's Handbook on the Gospel of John by Barclay Newman and Eugene Nida is very interesting:
"These statements indicate that for John the concepts of love, obedience, and faith are simply different ways of expressing one's relation to the Son" (p. 518).
For "believed" see Special Topic: John's Use of "Believe" at Joh_2:23.
Joh_16:28 "I came forth. . .and have come" This is an aorist tense followed by a perfect tense. Jesus was born at Bethlehem (Incarnation) and the results of His coming abide (i.e., "I am with you always," cf. Mat_28:20).
The fact that Jesus "came forth from the Father" (cf. Joh_16:27; Joh_16:30; Joh_8:42; Joh_13:3; Joh_17:8) asserts
1. His pre-existence
2. His divinity
3. His full revelation of the Father
▣ "I am leaving the world again and going to the Father" This refers to the upcoming ascension and the beginning of the ministry of the "Helper" and the intercessory ministry of Jesus (cf. Heb_7:25; Heb_9:24; 1Jn_2:1). As pre-existence was asserted in Joh_1:1, so Jesus' restoration to glory and power is asserted in this verse (cf. Joh_17:5; Joh_17:24).