rwp - John:16:17-33

rwp@John:16:17 @{Some of the disciples} (\ek tn mathtn autou\). Ellipsis of time (some) before \ek\ as in strkjv@7:40|. Jesus seemed to contradict himself, for the disciples took both verbs in the same sense and were still puzzled over the going to the Father of strkjv@14:3|. But they talk to one another, not to Jesus.

rwp@John:16:18 @{We know not what he saith} (\ouk oidamen ti lalei\). The questions to Jesus cease and the disciples frankly confess to each other their own ignorance.

rwp@John:16:19 @{Jesus perceived} (\egn Isous\). Second aorist active indicative of \ginsk\. {That they were desirous to ask him} (\hoti thelon auton ertin\). Imperfect active tense of \thel\ in indirect discourse instead of the retention of the present \thelousin\ (the usual idiom), just like our English. Their embarrassment was manifest after four inquiries already (Peter, Thomas, Philip, Judas). Songs:Jesus takes the initiative.

rwp@John:16:20 @{Ye shall weep and lament} (\klausete kai thrnsete\). Future active of \klai\ and \thrne\, both old words (for \klai\ see strkjv@John:11:31|, for \thrne\ see strkjv@Matthew:11:17|), both words used of the loud lamentations so common in the east. {Shall rejoice} (\charsetai\). Second future passive of \chair\ in violent contrast. Picture the women on the way to the Cross (Luke:23:27|, \ekoptonto kai ethrnoun\, two descriptive imperfects) and Mary Magdalene by the tomb (John:20:11|, \klaiousa\). {Ye shall be sorrowful} (\lupthsesthe\). First future passive of \lupe\, word for inward grief. See the change from sorrow to joy in strkjv@20:14-16| when "they disbelieved for joy" (Luke:24:41|). Songs:violent was the reaction on the sudden appearance of Jesus.

rwp@John:16:21 @{A woman} (\h gun\). "The woman," any woman. {When she is in travail} (\hotan tikti\). Indefinite temporal clause, "whenever she is about to bear (or give birth)," \hotan\ and present active subjunctive of \tikt\, common O.T. image for pain. {Her hour is come} (\lthen h hra auts\). Second aorist active indicative, timeless aorist, "her hour" for giving birth which she knows is like a living death. {But when she is delivered of the child} (\hotan de gennsi to paidion\). Indefinite temporal clause with \hotan\ and first aorist active subjunctive of \genna\. "But whenever she bears the child." {The anguish} (\ts thlipses\). Genitive case after \mnmoneuei\ of \thlipsis\, usual word for tribulation (Matthew:13:21|). {Is born} (\egennth\). First aorist (effective) passive indicative of \genna\.

rwp@John:16:22 @{And ye therefore now} (\kai humeis oun nun\). See strkjv@8:38| for like emphasis on {ye} (\humeis\). The "sorrow" (\lupn\) is like that of the mother in childbirth (real, but fleeting, with permanent joy following). The metaphor points, of course, to the resurrection of Jesus which did change the grief of the disciples to gladness, once they are convinced that Jesus has risen from the dead. {But I will see you again} (\palin de opsomai humas\). Future middle of \hora\, to see. In verses 16,19| Jesus had said "ye shall see me" (\opsesthe me\), but here we have one more blessed promise, "I shall see you," showing "that we are the objects of God's regard" (Westcott). {Shall rejoice} (\charsetai\). Second future passive of \chair\. {Taketh away} (\airei\). Present active indicative, futuristic present, but B D have \arei\ the future active (shall take away). This joy is a permanent possession.

rwp@John:16:23 @{Ye shall ask me nothing} (\eme ouk ertsete\). Either in the sense of question (original meaning of \erta\) as in verses 19,30| since he will be gone or in the sense of request or favours (like \aite\ in this verse) as in strkjv@14:16; strkjv@Acts:3:2|. In verse 26| both \aite\ and \erta\ occur in this sense. Either view makes sense here. {If ye shall ask} (\an ti aitste\). Third-class condition, \an\ like \ean\ with first aorist active subjunctive of \aite\. Note ¯14:26| for "in my name."

rwp@John:16:24 @{Hitherto} (\hes arti\). Up till now the disciples had not used Christ's name in prayer to the Father, but after the resurrection of Jesus they are to do so, a distinct plea for parity with the Father and for worship like the Father. {May be fulfilled} (\i peplrmen\). Periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of \plro\ in a purpose clause with \hina\. See strkjv@15:11| for some verb (first aorist passive subjunctive with \hina\) and strkjv@1John:1:4| for same form as here, emphasizing the abiding permanence of the joy.

rwp@John:16:25 @{In proverbs} (\en paroimiais\). See on ¯10:6| for this word. {Shall tell} (\apaggel\). Future active of \apaggell\, to report, correct text and not \anaggel\ (verses 13,14,15|), as in strkjv@1John:1:2f|. {Plainly} (\parrsii\). See on ¯7:13| for this word.

rwp@John:16:26 @{I say not} (\ou leg\). "I speak not." Christ did pray for the disciples before his death (John:14:16; strkjv@17:9,15,24|) and he prays also for sinners (Luke:23:34; strkjv@1John:2:1|). Here it is the special love of God for disciples of Jesus (John:14:21,23; strkjv@17:23; strkjv@1John:4:19|). Note \aite\ and \erta\ used in practically the same sense as in verse 23|.

rwp@John:16:27 @{Loveth} (\philei\). Present active indicative of \phile\, the word for warm and friendly love, here used of God's love for the disciples, while in strkjv@3:16| \agapa\ occurs of God's love for the world. {Ye have loved me} (\pephilkate\). Perfect active indicative of \phile\, "loved and still love me warmly." {And have believed} (\pepisteukate\). Perfect active indicative again. Recall the exhortation in strkjv@14:1|.

rwp@John:16:28 @{I came out from the Father} (\exlthon ek tou patros\). Definite act (aorist), the Incarnation, with repetition of \ek\ (out of), while in verse 27| we have \para tou patros exlthon\) with no practical distinction between \ek\ and \para\ in resultant idea. {Amos:come} (\ellutha\). Perfect active indicative of \erchomai\, as in strkjv@18:37|. The Incarnation is now a permanent fact, once only a blessed hope (11:27|). His leaving the world and going to the Father does not set aside the fact of the Incarnation. Both \aphimi\ (I leave) and \poreuomai\ (I go) are futuristic present indicatives.

rwp@John:16:29 @{No proverb} (\paroimian oudemian\). No wayside saying, no dark saying. See strkjv@10:6; strkjv@16:25|.

rwp@John:16:30 @{Now know we} (\nun oidamen\). They had failed to understand the plain words of Jesus about going to the Father heretofore (16:5|), but Jesus read their very thoughts (16:19f.|) and this fact seemed to open their minds to grasp his idea. {Should ask} (\erti\). Present active subjunctive with \hina\ in original sense of asking a question. {By this} (\en touti\). In Christ's supernatural insight into their very hearts. {From God} (\apo theou\). Compare \para tou patros\ (verse 27|) and \ek tou patros\ (verse 28|), \apo, ek, para\ all with the ablative of source or origin.

rwp@John:16:31 @{Do ye now believe?} (\arti pisteuete;\). For \arti\ (just now) see strkjv@9:19; strkjv@13:33,37|. Their belief in Christ was genuine _as far as it went_, but perils await them of which they are ignorant. They are too self-confident as their despair at Christ's death shows.

rwp@John:16:32 @{Cometh} (\erchetai\). Futuristic present middle indicative of \erchomai\. {Yea, is come} (\kai elluthen\). Explanatory use of \kai\ and the perfect active indicative as in strkjv@12:23|. The long-looked-for hour (\hra\) is so close that it has virtually begun. The time for the arrest of Jesus is near. See also strkjv@17:1|. {That} (\hina\). See verse 2| for this same use of \hina\ (not \hote\) with \erchomai hra\. {Ye shall be scattered} (\skorpisthte\). First aorist passive subjunctive of \skorpiz\, used in strkjv@10:12| of sheep scampering from the wolf. Cf. strkjv@Matthew:12:30; strkjv@Luke:11:33|. {To his own} (\eis ta idia\). "To his own home" as in strkjv@1:11; strkjv@19:27|. Songs:Appian VI. 23. {Shall leave} (\aphte\). Second aorist subjunctive of \aphimi\ with \hina\. {And yet} (\kai\). Clear case of \kai\ in adversative sense, not just "and."

rwp@John:16:33 @{That in me ye may have peace} (\hina en emoi eirnn echte\). Present active subjunctive of \ech\, "that ye may keep on having peace in me," even when I am put to death, peace to be found nowhere save in me (14:27|). {Be of good cheer} (\tharseite\). Imperative active from \tharsos\, courage (Acts:28:15|). A word for courage in the face of danger, only here in John, but see strkjv@Matthew:9:2,22; strkjv@Mark:10:49|. {I have overcome the world} (\eg, nenikka ton kosmon\). Perfect active indicative of \nika\, to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See strkjv@1John:5:4f|. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with \tetelestai\ ({It is finished}) in strkjv@John:19:30| as Christ died and with Paul's \hupernikmen\ (we are more than conquerors) in strkjv@Romans:8:37|.