The disciples were terribly overwrought by the events of the last few days, the reversal of their cherished hopes, and the growing darkness and sorrow of the approaching cross. Their physical nature and their minds and affections could bear no more. Sorrow had filled their heart, and the Master forbore to describe in further detail the valley of shadow through which they were still to pass. A comparison of the Gospels and Epistles will indicate how much our Lord left unsaid. All this remained for the Spirit's teaching, to be communicated to the Church through the Apostles. It is thus that Christ deals with us still, apportioning our trials to our strength, our discipline to our spiritual capacity. We long to know God's secret plans for ourselves, and for those whom we love. Where does the path lead which we are treading, and which dips so swiftly and abruptly? How much longer will the fight be maintained between Truth on the scaffold and Wrong on the throne? What is the explanation of the mystery of evil, of the sorrow and agony of the world? And Jesus says: "My child, you cannot bear to know now. Trust me, I will tell you as soon as you are able to understand." The blindness and limitation of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall follow in God's own time. See Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 16
1Jesus comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension; 23assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable 33Peace in Jesus, and in the world affliction
Greek Commentary for John 16:18
We know not what he saith [ουκ οιδαμεν τι λαλει] The questions to Jesus cease and the disciples frankly confess to each other their own ignorance. [source]
He saith [λαλεῖ] Emphasizing the purport of the saying. [source]
He saith [λαλεῖ] Emphasizing the form of the saying. [source]
A little while [τὸ μικρόν] In John 16:16,John 16:17, without the article. Here the article the or this little while defines the special point of their difficulty; this “little while” of which He speaks. [source]
We cannot tell [οὐκ οἴδαμεν] Rev., more simply and literally, we know not. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 16:18
John 16:29Speakest - speakest [λαλεῖς - λέγεις] The first, of the form; the second, of the purport. See on John 16:18. [source]
Greek Commentary for John 16:18
The questions to Jesus cease and the disciples frankly confess to each other their own ignorance. [source]
Emphasizing the purport of the saying. [source]
Emphasizing the form of the saying. [source]
In John 16:16, John 16:17, without the article. Here the article the or this little while defines the special point of their difficulty; this “little while” of which He speaks. [source]
Rev., more simply and literally, we know not. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 16:18
The first, of the form; the second, of the purport. See on John 16:18. [source]
Rev., more correctly, there arose. The word σχίσμα , division, from σχίζω , to cleave, describes a fact which continually recurs in John's narrative. See John 6:52, John 6:60, John 6:66; John 7:12, John 7:25sqq.; John 8:22; John 9:16, John 9:17; John 10:19, John 10:24, John 10:41; John 11:37sqq.; John 12:19, John 12:29, John 12:42; John 16:18, John 16:19. [source]
As in John 7:43 in the crowd (also in John 7:12, John 7:31), so now among the hostile Jews (Pharisees) some of whom had previously professed belief in him (John 8:31). The direct reference of παλιν palin (again) may be to John 9:16 when the Pharisees were divided over the problem of the blind man. Division of opinion about Jesus is a common thing in John‘s Gospel (John 6:52, John 6:60, John 6:66; John 7:12, John 7:25.; John 8:22; John 9:16.; John 10:19, John 10:24, John 10:41; John 11:41.; John 12:19, John 12:29, John 12:42; John 16:18.). [source]