John 16:1

16:1-6 Our Lord Jesus, by giving his disciples notice of trouble, designed that the terror might not be a surprise to them. It is possible for those who are real enemies to God's service, to pretend zeal for it. This does not lessen the sin of the persecutors; villanies will never be changed by putting the name of God to them. As Jesus in his sufferings, so his followers in theirs, should look to the fulfilling of Scripture. He did not tell them sooner, because he was with them to teach, guide, and comfort them; they needed not then this promise of the Holy Spirit's presence. It will silence us to ask, Whence troubles come? It will satisfy us to ask, Whither go they? for we know they work for good. It is the common fault and folly of melancholy Christians to look only on the dark side of the cloud, and to turn a deaf ear to the voice of joy and gladness. That which filled the disciples' hearts with sorrow, was too great affection for this present life. Nothing more hinders our joy in God, than the love of the world, and the sorrow of the world which comes from it.

John 16:1-2 . These things have I spoken, that you should not be offended — I have informed you beforehand concerning the opposition which you are to expect from the world, and the proportionable supports which you will receive from the Holy Spirit, that you may not be discouraged in, or turned aside from, the path of your duty; by my leaving you, or by the troubles which you will meet with from my enemies and yours, whose rage will excite them to use all manner of violence and cruelty against you. They shall put you out of the synagogues — The Jews will excommunicate you, as the most execrable of men: yea, whosoever killeth you, will think he doeth God service — That he doth the most acceptable thing possible; or that he offers sacrifice to God, as Dr. Campbell and others render λατρειαν προσφερειν τω Θεω ; observing, that as λατερεια properly signifies the public service of religion, when it is joined, as in this place, with προσφερειν , ( to offer up, ) can only mean sacrifice; and it is so rendered in the Syriac and Gothic versions.

This gives a beautiful turn to our Lord’s sentiment, which is, “The time shall come when the killing you will be thought a part of the worship of God, and equally meritorious and acceptable with the offering of sacrifices.” Archbishop Leighton’s observation on the passage is, that “the servants of Christ should be considered not only as sheep for the slaughter, but as sheep for the altar too.” The rage of the persecuting enemies of God’s church, and, beyond all comparison, the murders committed by Papal cruelty in the name of the Lord, in the hecatombs of whole burnt-offerings, (if an expression may be allowed which falls far short of the dreadful truth,) too justly illustrate the remark. But how justly God has already resented, and will still resent, the murder of his children upon his altar, the day in which he makes inquisition for blood does and will declare.

John 16:1 . Ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν , I have warned you of persecution, and have told you of the encouragements you will have, ἵνα μὴ σκανδαλισθῆτε , “that ye be not staggered,” or stumbled, i.e. , that the troubles that fall upon you may not induce you to apostatise. See Thayer and Parkhurst, and Wetstein on Matthew 5:29 . Cf. also Matthew 11:6 .

CHAPTER 16 Joh 16:1-33. Discourse at the Supper Table Concluded. 1-5. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended—both the warnings and the encouragements just given.John 16:1-4 Christ warns his disciples of their sufferings for his sake.John 16:5-15 He comforteth them by a promise of the Holy Ghost.John 16:16-28 He intimates his death, resurrection, andascension, telling them that their sorrow shouldsoon be succeeded by joy, and that their prayers inhis name would be accepted of the Father.John 16:29-33 His disciples confess their faith in him; he foretellstheir desertion of him, and promises them peace in himamidst their tribulation in the world. That is, that when you see these storms of persecution arise, and fall heavily upon you, they may not give you any occasion, or be any temptation to you, to desist from your duty, and be afraid or ashamed to own me, and the profession of my gospel. Evils unthought of we are not ordinarily prepared for, so as, being surprised by them, they the more sink us. Offended here therefore may signify, either immoderate trouble and affliction, or being tempted to any apostasy, or remission of duty.

1–11 . The World and the Paraclete 1 . These things ] These discourses generally, especially the last section about the world’s hatred of Him and them ( John 15:18-27 ). should not be offended ] Literally, should not be made to stumble: comp. John 6:61 ; 1 John 2:10 . The metaphor is frequent in S. Matt. and S. Mark, occurs thrice in S. Luke ( Luke 7:23 ; Luke 17:1-2 ), and twice in S. John. The fanatical hatred of the Jews might make Jewish Apostles stumble at the truth.

(1) These things have I spoken unto you. —Comp. Note on John 15:17 . Here, too, the reference is to the things which he had just said ( John 16:17-27 ). He had foretold them of the hatred of the world and also of the witness of the Spirit. That ye should not be offended.—Comp. Matthew 11:6; Matthew 13:21; Matthew 24:10, et al. In St. John the word occurs only here and in John 6:61.

These things - The things spoken in the two previous chapters, promising them divine aid and directing them in the path of duty. Be offended - For the meaning of the word offend, see the notes at Matthew 5:29. It means here the same as to stumble or fall - that is, to apostatize. He proceeds immediately to tell them, what he had often apprised them of, that they would be subject to great persecutions and trials. He was also himself about to be removed by death. They were to go into an unfriendly world. All these things were in themselves greatly fitted to shake their faith, and to expose them to the danger of apostasy. Compare Luke 24:21. If they had not been apprised of this, if they had not known why Jesus was about to die, and if they had not been encouraged with the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, they would have sunk under these trials, and forsaken him and his cause. And we may learn hence: 1. that if Christians were left to themselves they would fall away and perish. 2. that God affords means and helps beforehand to keep them in the path of duty. 3. that the instructions of the Bible and the help of the Holy Spirit are all granted to keep them from apostasy. 4. that Jesus beforehand secured the fidelity and made certain the continuance in faith of his apostles, seeing all their dangers and knowing all their enemies. And, in like manner, we should be persuaded that "he is able to keep that which we commit to him against that day," 2 Timothy 1:12.

John 16:1 . Ταῦτα λελάλ . ὑμῖν ] As the same expression, John 15:11 , pointed back to the preceding section, John 16:1-10 , and then ταῦτα ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν , John 16:17 , to John 16:11-16 , so here ταῦτα λελ . ὑμ . refers to John 15:18-27 , so that the substantial contents of this section are intended, namely, that which had been said of the hatred of the world . ἵνα μὴ σκανδαλ .] Comp. Matthew 13:21 ; Matthew 24:10 ; Matthew 11:6 . Prepared beforehand, and armed by Christ’s communications, they were not to be made to stumble at Him, but were to oppose to the hatred of the world all the greater efficiency and constancy of faith.