How does advance warning lead into teaching about the Spirit and sorrow becoming joy?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Jesus warns of expulsion and killing, teaches the Paraclete’s work and future joy, and answers the disciples’ declaration of belief with a dispersal prediction.

Chapter breakdown

Jesus says He has spoken these things so they may not be scandalized. They will be put out of synagogues, and whoever kills them will think he serves God. Such people have not known the Father or Him. He tells them now so they may remember His warning when the hour comes; He did not tell them from the beginning because He was with them. He goes to His sender, and none asks where He goes; His words have filled their hearts with sorrow. Going is expedient: if He does not go the Paraclete will not come, but if He goes He will send Him.

The Paraclete will convince the world of sin, justice and judgment: sin because they did not believe in Jesus; justice because He goes to the Father and they see Him no longer; judgment because the prince of this world is already judged. The edition explains this as bringing many thousands to awareness of unbelief, Christ’s justice at the Father’s right hand, and judgment prepared for those choosing Satan, already judged and condemned. Jesus has many things to say which they cannot bear now. The Spirit of truth will teach all truth, speak what He hears rather than of Himself, and show things to come. The edition cross-refers to John 14:26. He will glorify Jesus by receiving of His and showing it to them; all that the Father has is His.

After a little while they will not see Him, then after a little while they will see Him because He goes to the Father. Some disciples ask each other what this means and say they do not know. Jesus knows their mind to ask and addresses their inquiry. They will lament and weep while the world rejoices; their sorrow will become joy. He compares this to a woman sorrowing in labor, then no longer remembering anguish for joy that a man is born. They now have sorrow, but He will see them again, their hearts will rejoice and no man will take their joy. In that day they will ask Him nothing; what they ask the Father in His name He will give. Until now they have asked nothing in His name; they should ask and receive for full joy.

He has spoken in proverbs; the hour comes for plain speech about the Father. They will ask in His name, and He says not that He will ask the Father for them: the Father Himself loves them because they have loved Him and believed He came from God. He came forth from the Father into the world, and leaves the world for the Father. The disciples say He now speaks plainly without proverb and knows all things without needing a question; by this they believe He came from God. Jesus asks whether they now believe. The hour comes and has come when each will scatter to his own and leave Him alone, yet He is not alone because the Father is with Him. He has spoken for peace in Him; in the world they have distress, but should have confidence because He has overcome the world.

The story inside

The disciples question each other about little while, and Jesus knows their wish to ask Him. They later declare belief when He speaks plainly, and He predicts scattering. This chapter does not narrate their scattering or show a concrete choice about a specific threat.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The labor comparison does not guarantee that every instance of suffering produces joy.
2
Keep the Spirit’s teaching and Father’s possessions statements within the source rather than importing a general revelation policy.
3
The location, each disciple’s home and a fearful flight are not specified.

Test your recall

What does Jesus say after the disciples declare belief?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 122938–122940
16:7. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you.
Lines 122963–122966
16:13. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall shew you.
Lines 123036–123038
16:33. These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world.
Lines 122945–122950
He will convince the world of sin, etc.... The Holy Ghost, by his coming brought over many thousands, first, to a sense of their sin in not believing in Christ. Secondly, to a conviction of the justice of Christ, now sitting at the right hand of his Father. And thirdly, to a right apprehension of the judgment prepared for them that choose to follow Satan, who is already judged and condemned.