Jesus Comforts the Disciples

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Jesus Comforts the Disciples John 16:5-33

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2 Text: John 16:5-33, Jesus Comforts the Disciples 5. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9. Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father and ye see me no more; 11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. 16. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18. They said therefore, what is this that he saith, A little while? We cannot tell what he saith.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 3 19. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, 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 while, and ye shall see me? 20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22. And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs; but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the father. 26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27. For the father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. 31. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 4 33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Commentary: John 16:5, But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? I. Jesus told the apostles that he was now going to return to God the Father who sent him to earth. A. The apostles were concerned about the effect Jesus leaving would have on them! B. They were not now, at that time able, from all indications, to empathize with the suffering of Jesus. C. How like so many of us they were! II. Jesus pointed out that none of the apostles had asked him where he was going. A. The Lord was fully aware of the apostles pre-occupation with their own problems to the neglect of his. B. He asked, Aren t you concerned about me? You haven t even asked where I am going. John 16:6, But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. I. Because Jesus had said these things the hearts of the apostles were filled with sorrow, grief. A. Jesus knew how hard it was for the apostles to understand and deal with what he was telling them.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 5 B. Jesus understood the apostles perplexities and he understands ours. John 16:7, Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. I. I tell you the truth anyway. A. Jesus always speaks only the truth regardless of the situation. B. The sorrow of the apostles did not keep Jesus from speaking the truth. II. It is for your good, expedient for you apostles that I am going away. A. The apostles did not then understand how Jesus leaving them would be a good thing. B. Among the wonders to be achieved by the Lord s crucifixion was the promised coming of the Holy Spirit. C. It is expedient that Jesus go away. Both Jesus and his enemies agreed on this matter. John 11:50, Now consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. III. If I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. IV. If I go away, I will send him unto you. A. Both God the father and God the Son together sent the Holy Spirit. B. John 15:26, But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the father, he shall testify of me:

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 6 John 16:8, And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: I. When the Comforter comes he will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment: A. Sin clearly revealing man s lost condition. 1. Through Adam sin came into the world. 2. Sin is anything, everything contrary to God s will. B. Righteousness clearly revealing the way from sin to holiness. 1. Through Christ ultimate righteousness came into the world. 2. Righteousness is everything which is in keeping with God s will. C. Judgment clearly revealing the consequences of lives of sin or righteousness. 1. The devil and all his followers will be judged, condemned. Note: This convicting by word was through the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the apostles who then were enabled to preach the gospel to the saving of the lost world. John 14:15-17, If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 16:9-11, Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I. The Holy spirit will convict the world of: A. sin, because they did not believe on Jesus.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 7 B. righteousness, because the righteous Jesus was now going to the father, and now you see me no more. C. judgment, because the prince of this world, Satan, has been judged, and now stands condemned. John 16:12, I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. I. Jesus told the disciples he had many other things to tell them but they weren t then able to bear them. A. The things the apostles were then able to understand would be made clear by the coming Holy Spirit. B. Something needed to be done to help the apostles and this would be done by the Holy Spirit. C. The apostles were still involved in many Jewish traditions, customs, sacrifices, beliefs, clean and unclean meats, and even circumcision which would be replaced by developing Christianity. The apostles had the necessity for much growth and transformation. D. Their enlightenment would come through the Holy Spirit. John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. I. However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth. A. Jesus was here speaking to the apostles, having withdrawn from the public in 12:36.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 8 1. John 15:27, And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 2. John 16:4, But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 3. John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 4. John 13:3, Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 5. John 16:15, All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. B. Guide indicates a pilgrimage, process, journey, progression over time toward full Christian completeness. II. This is because he will not speak on his own, from himself, but will speak only what he hears( from the Father, about Jesus). A. The Holy spirit simply did not speak without consultation with God the Father and God the Son. 1. What the Holy Spirit said and did was exactly in keeping with the will of the Father to glorify the Son. III. The Spirit of truth will declare unto you the things that are to come. A. The Holy Spirit would reveal to the apostles things that were then future.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 9 John 16:14, 15, He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. I. The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus, never himself. A. The triune Godhead is clearly delineated in these verses. B. Each in the godhead is a separate personality, distinguishable from the others, but one in divine nature, totally united in purpose. II. He will glorify Jesus by taking what belongs to Jesus and declaring it unto you (apostles). III. All that belongs to the father, everything the Father has, belongs to Jesus. IV. This is the reason that Jesus said, He, the Holy Spirit takes of mine, and shall declare it unto you. John 16:16, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. I. A little while and I ll be gone, you won t see me any more. A. Within hours Jesus would be dead and buried. II. In a little while thereafter, you will see me again. A. After three days in the tomb Jesus would resurrect and again appear to the apostles. B. He would also be shortly seen in a spiritual sense on Pentecost.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 10 John 16:17, Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? I. Some of the apostles said to one another, What is he talking about? A. The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. B. Christians of all ages have wanted to better understand what Jesus taught. II. What did Jesus mean when he said, A little while, and you will behold me no more, see me not, and then again after a little while you will see me again? The apostles wondered. III. What did Jesus mean when he said, I go to the Father? the apostles also asked one another. John 16:18, They said therefore, what is this that he saith, A little while? We cannot tell what he saith. I. What is that that he said, A little while? they kept asking. A. The apostles talked among themselves. B. Why, after three years with Jesus, were they so timid, hesitant to simply ask Jesus to explain this to them? C. On many other occasions, the apostles had approached Jesus in just such a bold manner. II. We don t know, understand what he is talking about. A. They appeared to be confused over Jesus statements, In a little while I go to the Father, and A little while and you will see me. B. I can hear somebody say that this is a contradiction!

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 11 C. Because we don t know how to reconcile two passages doesn t mean the passages contradict each other. D. It very likely means our understanding is not so good. John 16:19, Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, 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 while, and ye shall see me? I. Jesus realized the apostles wanted to ask him to explain what he meant by these statements and responded to their perplexity. A. Jesus knew exactly what was in/on the apostles minds and he knows our minds, thoughts as well. B. The apostles after all this time spent with Jesus were still amazed by Jesus perceptiveness. C. They declared, Now we know that thou knowest all things. (v. 30) John 16:20, Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. I. Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this is the way things really are. II. You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. A. This was most keenly seen when Jesus was on the cross and in the tomb. B. The apostles then wept and mourned while the world gloated.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 12 III. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A. When Jesus was raised, had ascended to heaven and Christianity was spreading across the known world as a wild fire, the apostle rejoiced. John 16:21, A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. I. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come. A. Jesus illustrated the point with an analogy. B. The present suffering of the apostles is compared to the pain of labor and childbirth. II. When her baby is born, the mother forgets her anguish and pain because the child that has been born brings tremendous joy. A. At the resurrection the apostolic joy would be so great they would forget the transient pain of the crucifixion. III. Jesus, as a mother, was in terrible pain on the cross. Following his resurrection Jesus is forever happy. Through this process the Christian religion was given birth, life. A. Hebrews 12:2, 3, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 13 John 16:22, And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. I. You apostles now have sorrow. A. They were in the shadow of the cross, on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount Olivet. B. Sorrow filled their hearts. II. Jesus said he would see the apostles again and their hearts then would greatly rejoice. A. This is a reference to the resurrection, Jesus victory over death. B. This would bring unspeakable joy to the apostles. III. No one would be able to take this lasting joy away from them. A. This joy filled the apostles with lasting enthusiasm and motivated them to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. B. The apostles were hated persecuted, scourged and murdered but to the last man they joyfully exclaimed, He is risen! John 16:23, And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. I. In that day the apostles would not ask Jesus about anything. A. Following Jesus ascension the apostles would not ask Jesus any questions as they had been doing. 1. John 13:36, Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 14 2. John 14:5, Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 3. John 14:8, Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 4. John 16:18, They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We cannot tell what he saith. B. Jesus was physically no longer to be with them. II. Jesus told the apostles that if they asked anything in his name of the Father the request would be granted. A. Answers to prayer would come in honor of Jesus, on his behalf, in his place. B. The Father will give you whatever you ask in my name, by my authority, Jesus truly stated. C. Jesus intended that his followers should pray! God would respond to the petitions of his children. D. Prayers reach the Father only through Jesus!... through no other. John 16:24, Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. I. Before this time the apostles had asked nothing from the Father in the name of Jesus in prayer. A. This was a statement of fact, not a criticism of the apostles. B. In the model prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus did not teach his disciples to pray in his name.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 15 II. Now they were to ask of the Father in the name of Jesus. A. The time had now come when all prayers are to be offered in the name of Christ Jesus. III. What they asked for in Jesus name would be granted, received. IV. On this account the apostles joy would be made full, complete. John 16:25, These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs; but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. I. Jesus had often spoken these things obscurely, in dark sayings, figuratively. A. Jesus during his ministry continually used parables to confuse his enemies, enlighten his followers and to make his teachings more memorable. B. We easily recall such parables as the lost sheep, lost coin, lost son. They are unforgettable! II. The time would come when Jesus would speak plainly of the Father, no more in difficult to understand symbolic language. A. The time was within a matter of hours when Jesus would flatly declare that he was the Christ, the Son of the Blessed and that his enemies would behold him sitting on the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven. B. Jesus spoke plainly. Mark 14:62, And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 16 John 16:26, 27, At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I. In that day the apostles would pray to the Father in Jesus name. A. Prayers by individual Christians were to be made directly to God through one mediator, Jesus Christ. B. No human priest or other intermediary has any part in the matter. II. It will not then be necessary for Jesus to pray to the Father for the apostles. A. Christians can now pray directly to God in the name of Jesus. III. This is because the Father himself loves you, because you apostles have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father, Jesus said. A. John 14:15, 16, If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 16:28, I came forth from the Father, and have come into the world: now, I am leaving the world, and going to the Father. I. Jesus said he came into the world from the Father. A. Jesus here spoke plainly of the virgin birth, the incarnation, the divinity of Jesus, his suffering, death, burial and resurrection which are encompassed in this statement. II. Jesus further said he would leave the world and return to the Father. A. The ascension was the fulfillment of this verse! B. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old Testament relating to the Messiah.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 17 John 16:29, 30, His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. I. The apostles then said, A. Now you (Jesus) are speaking plainly without figures of speech. 1. The apostles now understood, they declared. 2. However, much they still did not comprehend. B. Now we realize that you know all things, that you are omniscient. C. We don t need to ask you what you mean by what you said, the apostles replied. 1. We now understand. 2. You (Jesus) do not need to have anyone ask you questions. D. This is the reason we believe you came forth from God. 1. Very shortly, however, the disciples, except perhaps for John, wavered again and even Peter denied his Lord three times. John 16:31, 32, Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I. Jesus answered the apostles, Do you now believe? You believe at last! Jesus said. A. Jesus was not deceived by the apostles glowing confidence.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 18 B. He knew their weaknesses and took steps to strengthen them once more. II. The hour comes, yes, has come already, when you will be scattered, every man to his own home. A. Jesus warns the apostles about coming tragic events. 1. Zechariah 13:7, Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts; smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 2. Mark 14:27, And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. III. You will leave me alone. IV. I am not really alone because the Father is with me, Jesus stated. A. Isaiah 63:3, And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. I. Jesus said he had spoken these things to the apostles that they, through him, might have peace. A. Peace, all spiritual blessings in heavenly places are in and through Christ. B. Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the god and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 19 II. In the world you have tribulations, trouble. III. Be of good cheer! Take heart! I have overcome, conquered the world. A. How could anyone but God s Son talk of good cheer when he was just hours from anguish and death on the cross? B Jesus overcame the devil, the prince of this world. C. Revelation 6:2, And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. IV. I have overcome the world, Jesus concluded.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 20 Jesus Comforts the Disciples Questions 1. Jesus told the that he was going to return to the who sent him to. 2. None of the apostles asked Jesus where he was going. Why not? 3. The were filled with, but Jesus told them it was that he go away because if he did not go away, the would not come. 4. When the came he would the world of, of and of. 5. The would the world of because, of because, of because. 6. The of would guide the apostles into all.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 21 7. What did Jesus mean when he told the apostles, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me. 8. When would the apostles weep and lament while the world rejoiced? 9. When would the apostles sorrow be turned into joy? 10. What did Jesus teach with the illustration of a woman s pain in child birth? 11. are to be directed to the in the name of.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 22 12. Will God hear prayers not offered in the name of Christ? Give reasons for your answer. 13. In the world we have tribulation. How can disciples have peace in the world? 14. With sin and trouble everywhere, how can it be said that Christ has overcome the world? 15. How much of what Jesus taught did the apostles at the time of this lesson understand?

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 23 16. How much of what Jesus taught do we now understand?