John 16:1

John 16:1, in plain English

Jesus says: I've told you all this so you won't fall away when it happens. He is preparing your heart now for what is coming later.

Why it's here

Jesus does not promise an easy road, but He promises you won't be caught off guard. He is building your resilience by being honest about what lies ahead.

Who's speaking

Jesus explains why He has been warning about the world's hatred.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus knows that surprise makes suffering worse. So He tells them in advance: this is coming. When it does, don't be shaken. I told you. I prepared you. Your faith can survive this because you saw it coming.

The scholarly reading

Jesus explains that He has told them about the world's hatred so they will not 'fall away' (skandalisthēte, literally 'stumble' or 'be scandalized'). Forewarning serves as spiritual inoculation.

Language and setting

The verb skandalizō means to cause to stumble or lose faith. Jesus prepares the disciples for persecution so that when it comes, it does not destroy their faith but confirms it.

Voice

Jesus explains the pastoral purpose of His warnings about hatred and persecution.

Significance

Jesus reveals His motive for the difficult teachings about persecution: He wants to prevent the disciples from stumbling when the crisis hits. Forewarned is forearmed. By knowing in advance what to expect, their faith will be strengthened rather than shattered.

1“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away.

2They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.

Read all of John 16 — Jesus warns of persecution and promises the Spirit of truth. A woman in labor forgets her anguish when the child arrives — and so will they.