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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 16:29 - 16:33
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_16:29-33
29His disciples said, "Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God." 31Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32Behold, an hour is coming and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Joh_16:29 "speaking plainly" See Special Topic: Boldness (Parrhçsia) at Joh_7:4.
Joh_16:30 This sentence must be understood in light of Jesus' knowing the disciples' question of Joh_16:19. This statement by them reflects their growing, but still incomplete, faith. They had seen and heard so much; did this event (cf. Joh_16:19) really function as a major turning point in their understanding? To me this sounds like one of Peter's well-intentioned but exaggerated statements (see The Jerome Biblical Commentary, p. 456).
Joh_16:31 "Do you now believe" This can be a question or a statement. Most modern English translations understand it as a question. Even at this crucial period, the faith of the Apostles was not complete. Modern believers' initial, but weak, faith is also accepted by God when they respond to Jesus based on the light that they have. The disciples lack of faith will be evident in their deserting Jesus during His trials and crucifixion.
Joh_16:32 "you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone" Apparently only John was present at the trials and crucifixion (cf. Mat_26:31, from Zec_13:7). Joh_21:1-3 suggests that several of the Apostles had gone back to fishing as a vocation.
Jesus was bereft of human companionship (cf. Mat_26:38; Mat_26:40-41; Mat_26:43; Mat_26:45), but never divine companionship (cf. Joh_8:16; Joh_8:29) until the crucifixion, when He bore the sin of all the world (cf. Mat_27:45-46).
NASB "to his own home"
NKJV "to his own"
NRSV "to his home"
NJB "his own way"
TEV "your own home"
REB, NET,
NIV"to his own home"
The NKJV is literal. Most English translations assume it refers to ones home. Bultmann asserts it refers to "property" or "possessions" (NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 839), referring to Jesus as the creator (i.e., Joh_1:3; 1Co_8:6; Col_1:16; Heb_1:2).
Joh_16:33 "in Me you may have peace" This is a present active subjunctive (cf. Joh_14:27). Both objective and subjective peace is found and maintained in Christ. See Special Topic: Peace at Joh_14:27.
▣ "the world" John uses "world" in this context as human society organized and functioning apart from God. See Special Topic: Kosmos at Joh_14:17.
▣ "you have tribulation" The persecution that Jesus faced, they will face (cf. Joh_15:18-25; Mat_5:10-12; Act_14:22; 1Th_3:3). The persecution (i.e., thlipsis) is a way to reveal Jesus' true followers.
In Revelation there is a theological distinction between "wrath" and "persecution." God's wrath never falls on believers, but non-believers' anger falls on believers. The world reveals itself as the children of Satan by their attacks on "the light of the world" (cf. Joh_1:1-18; Joh_3:17-21)!
▣ "take courage" This is a present active imperative (cf. Mat_9:2; Mat_9:22; Mat_14:27; Mar_6:50; Mar_10:49; Act_23:11). It sounds like YHWH's words to Joshua (cf. Jos_1:6; Jos_1:9; Jos_1:18; Jos_10:25).
▣ "I have overcome the world" This is a perfect active indicative. Victory is assured even before Gethsemane, before Calvary, before the empty tomb (cf. Rom_8:37; 1Co_15:57; 2Co_2:14; 2Co_4:7-15)! There is no ultimate dualism. God is in control.
As Jesus overcame the world by love and obedience to the Father, believers are also overcomers through Him (cf. 1Jn_2:13-14; 1Jn_4:4; 1Jn_5:4-5; Rev_3:21; Rev_12:11).
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