Bullet Point Bible

Warnings About Persecution

¹ "I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away.² They will put you out of the synagogue, yet a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God.³ They will do these things because they have not known the Father or me.⁴ But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.

Jesus prepares his disciples for the intense opposition they will face after his departure.
The phrase "fall away" (Greek: *skandalisthēte*) refers to stumbling or taking offense, leading to abandoning faith under pressure.
Expulsion from the synagogue was a severe social and religious punishment for Jews in the first century, cutting them off from their community (John 9:22, John 12:42).
Jesus predicts a time of extreme persecution where killing believers would be seen by some as a righteous act, a service (*latreia*) offered to God, highlighting the danger of religious zeal without true knowledge. This tragically occurred in later history (Acts 26:9-11).
The root cause of this persecution, according to Jesus, is ignorance of both the Father and the Son (John 15:21). True knowledge of God leads to love, not violence.
Jesus' forewarning serves a pastoral purpose: to prevent shock and despair when persecution arises, reminding them that He predicted it, thus strengthening their faith rather than destroying it.
This passage underscores the cost of discipleship and the potential conflict between faith in Christ and established religious or social structures.

The Departure of Jesus and the Coming Advocate

⁴ But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.

Jesus explains why He is giving these detailed warnings now: His imminent departure changes their circumstances. His physical presence had offered some protection and guidance.
The disciples' focus on their own sorrow and loss prevents them from asking the deeper question about Jesus' destination – His return to the Father. Their grief overshadows their theological curiosity (John 13:36, John 14:5).
Jesus acknowledges their deep sorrow ("sorrow has filled your heart"), showing empathy for their emotional state.
He makes a startling claim: His departure is actually beneficial ("to your advantage") for them. This seems counterintuitive but sets up the promise of the Holy Spirit.
The coming of the Advocate (Greek: *paraklētos* – Helper, Comforter, Counselor) is contingent upon Jesus' departure and ascension.
Jesus explicitly states He will send the Advocate, highlighting the Spirit's procession from both the Father and the Son within the Trinity (John 14:16, John 14:26, John 15:26).
This transition marks a shift from Jesus' localized physical ministry to the universal, internal ministry of the Holy Spirit in believers.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

⁸ And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment-⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;¹⁰ concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer;¹¹ and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

The Advocate's primary role in relation to the world is conviction or exposure (Greek: *elenxei* – can mean convict, convince, expose, prove wrong).
The Spirit will convict the world concerning sin, specifically the foundational sin of unbelief in Jesus Christ. Rejecting Jesus is the ultimate expression of sin (John 3:18).
The Spirit will convict concerning righteousness by highlighting Jesus' ascension to the Father. His return to the Father vindicates His claims and demonstrates His perfect righteousness, contrasting with the world's unrighteousness. His physical absence becomes proof of His acceptance by the Father.
The Spirit will convict concerning judgment because the "ruler of this world" (Satan) has already been judged and condemned through Jesus' death and resurrection (John 12:31, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14).
This work of the Spirit is not just punitive but also serves to reveal truth and call the world to repentance by exposing its false standards and rebellion against God.
The Spirit acts as the prosecuting attorney, presenting the case for God's truth against the world's deceptions.

The Spirit of Truth

¹² "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come.¹⁴ He will glorify me, because he will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you.¹⁵ Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you.

Jesus acknowledges the disciples' current limitations; they are not yet ready to fully grasp all aspects of His teaching.
The Holy Spirit ("the Spirit of truth") is promised as the one who will continue Jesus' revelatory work, guiding believers into "all truth." This implies a progressive understanding enabled by the Spirit's presence.
The Spirit's teaching ministry is characterized by dependence and faithfulness; He does not originate His own message but communicates what He "hears" from the Father and the Son, ensuring continuity with Jesus' revelation.
Part of the Spirit's role involves revealing "what is to come," which includes understanding the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection, the nature of the church age, and future eschatological events (as seen in the book of Acts and the Epistles).
A primary function of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus, pointing people to Him and revealing His significance. The Spirit's work centers on Christ.
Jesus emphasizes the unity and shared possessions within the Trinity: "Everything that the Father has is mine." The Spirit takes from this divine fullness ("what is mine") and makes it known to believers.
This passage provides profound insight into the personality of the Holy Spirit ("he") and His role in illumination, guidance, and glorifying Christ within the Godhead and among believers.

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

¹⁶ In a little while you will see me no longer; again after a little while, you will see me."¹⁷ Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What is the meaning of what he is saying, 'In a little while you will not see me; again after a little while, you will see me,' and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"¹⁸ So they kept on repeating, "What is the meaning of what he says, 'In a little while'? We do not understand what he is talking about."¹⁹ Jesus could see that they wanted to ask him about these things, so he said to them, "Are you asking each other about this-that I said, 'In a little while you will not see me; again after a little while, you will see me'?²⁰ I tell you the solemn truth, you will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy.²¹ When a woman gives birth, she has distress because her time has come, but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the suffering because of her joy that a human being has been born into the world.²² So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you .²³ At that time you will ask me nothing. I tell you the solemn truth, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete.

Jesus' statement about seeing Him, then not seeing Him, then seeing Him again confuses the disciples. It likely refers to His death (not seeing), His resurrection appearances (seeing again briefly), and potentially His presence through the Spirit or His final return.
The disciples' confusion highlights their struggle to grasp the spiritual realities Jesus is describing, particularly His impending death and resurrection.
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, addresses their confusion directly.
He contrasts the disciples' imminent sorrow (at His death) with the world's rejoicing. However, He promises a permanent reversal: their sorrow will transform into lasting joy (at His resurrection and the Spirit's coming).
The analogy of childbirth powerfully illustrates this transition: intense pain gives way to overwhelming joy that eclipses the memory of suffering. The result (new life) justifies the temporary anguish.
Jesus promises a future reunion ("I will see you again") that will bring indestructible joy, a joy rooted in His victory over death and His ongoing presence.
"At that time" refers to the post-resurrection era, empowered by the Spirit. Direct access to the Father through prayer in Jesus' name will become the norm, replacing their previous pattern of asking Jesus directly.
Praying "in my name" signifies praying based on His authority, His merits, and in alignment with His character and will.
This new dimension of prayer leads to answered requests and the fullness of joy, connecting answered prayer directly to the believer's experience of complete joy in Christ.

Jesus Speaks Plainly

²⁵ "I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; a time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you plainly about the Father.²⁶ At that time you will ask in my name, and I do not say that I will ask the Father on your behalf.²⁷ For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.²⁸ I came from the Father and entered into the world, but in turn, I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

Jesus acknowledges that much of His teaching, especially during the Last Supper discourse, has used figures of speech (Greek: *paroimiais* – proverbs, allegories, veiled sayings).
He promises a future time (after His resurrection and the Spirit's coming) when He will communicate more clearly and directly ("plainly") about the Father. The Spirit would illuminate His previous teachings.
Jesus clarifies the nature of prayer in His name: believers will have such direct access to the Father that Jesus doesn't need to act as an intermediary petitioner *for* them in the same way. His role is the basis *of* their access.
The reason for this direct access is the Father's personal love for believers. This love is predicated on their love for Jesus and their belief in His divine origin ("I came from God").
This highlights the intimate relationship believers have with the Father through the Son. God is not distant but personally loves those united to Christ.
Jesus summarizes His entire mission in verse 28: His pre-existence with the Father, His incarnation ("come into the world"), and His impending ascension ("leaving the world and going back to the Father"). This encapsulates the core of Johannine Christology.

The Disciples' Fleeting Confidence and Final Warning

²⁹ His disciples said, "Look, now you are speaking plainly and not in obscure figures of speech!³⁰ Now we know that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you anything. Because of this we believe that you have come from God."³¹ Jesus replied, "Do you now believe?³² Look, a time is coming-and has come-when you will be scattered, each one to his own home, and I will be left alone. Yet I am not alone, because my Father is with me.³³ I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage -I have conquered the world."

The disciples mistakenly believe they have now fully understood Jesus, seizing on His clearer statement in verse 28. They express confidence in His omniscience and divine origin.
Their declaration "Now we know..." contrasts sharply with their earlier confusion (John 16:17-18) and reveals a superficial understanding.
Jesus gently challenges their newfound confidence ("{{Do you now believe?}}"), aware of its fragility.
He immediately predicts their imminent failure: they will scatter and abandon Him in His hour of need (fulfilled just hours later in Gethsemane - Mark 14:50). This serves as a reality check on their self-assessment.
Despite their abandonment, Jesus affirms His unity with the Father: "{{Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.}}" This echoes His earlier statements about His relationship with the Father (John 8:29, John 10:30).
Jesus concludes this section of the discourse with a summary of its purpose: to provide peace ("{{in me you may have peace}}") amidst the guaranteed troubles of the world ("{{In the world you will have trouble}}").
The final command, "{{But take heart!}}" (or "be courageous"), is grounded in the ultimate reality: "{{I have overcome the world.}}". His victory over sin, death, and Satan provides the foundation for the disciples' peace and courage despite persecution and trials.
This verse encapsulates the tension of Christian life: tribulation in the world, but peace and ultimate victory in Christ.

Additional Content

⁵ But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking me, 'Where are you going?'⁶ Instead your hearts are filled with sadness because I have said these things to you.⁷ But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.

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