The Word Made Fresh
1“I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. 2They will bar you from the synagogues, and the time is near when those who kill you will believe they are doing God’s will. 3But they will do it because they haven’t really known the Father or me. 4I’m telling you this so that when they act you’ll remember what I told you about them. I didn’t tell you about these things before because I was with you. 5But now I’m returning to the One who sent me, even though none of you have asked where I’m going. 6And because I’ve told you these things, you are sorrowful. 7Even so, I’m telling you the truth. It really is for your good that I’m leaving, because if I stay, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go I’ll send him to you, 8and he will teach the world about sin and righteousness and judgment. 9He’ll teach them about sin because they don’t believe in me. 10He’ll teach them about righteousness because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me any longer. 11And he’ll teach them about judgment because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12“I still have a lot to tell you, but you’re not ready for it yet. 13The Spirit of Truth will come, though, and guide you into all the truth. He won’t speak on his own behalf, but he will tell what he has heard and teach you about the things that will come. 14He will build me up because he’ll be taking the things I have said and explaining them to you. 15Everything belonging to the Father also belongs to me, and that is why I say that he will take the things I have said and explain them to you. 16In a little while you won’t be able to see me; but then a little while later you will see me.”
17Some of his disciples said to each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t be able to see me; but then a little while later you will see me?’ And what does he mean when he says he’s going to the Father? 18And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t know what he’s talking about!”
19Jesus knew they were confused, so he said to them, “Are you trying to figure out what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you won’t be able to see me; but then a little while later you will see me’? 20I’m telling you the truth; you will cry and mourn, but the world will celebrate. You will feel hurt, but your pain will turn into rejoicing. 21When a woman is in labor, she suffers because the hour has come. But once the baby is born she forgets the agony of the birth because of the joy she has in bringing a new life into the world. 22So, you feel pain now, but I will see you again and you’ll celebrate, and no one will take away your happiness. 23When that day comes you won’t be questioning me. Truly, I tell you, if you ask anything from the Father in my name he will give it to you. 24So far, you haven’t asked for anything in my name, but ask and you will receive, and your joy will be overflowing.
25“I’ve been speaking figuratively, but the time is coming when I will tell you plainly of the Father. 26When that day comes you will pray in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf – 27the Father loves you because you love me and have believed that he has sent me. 28I came into the world from the Father, and now I’m leaving the world to return to the Father.”
29His disciples said, “Okay! Now you’re speaking plainly instead of using figures of speech. 30Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you, and because of this we believe that you came from God.”
31“You believe now? 32The time is coming – it’s already here – when you will scatter and go to your homes and leave me alone. But I am never alone because the Father is with me. 33I tell you this so you can live in peace even though you’ll face persecution in the world. But have courage; I have conquered the world!”
Commentary
1-4a: As we read these words we remember the martyrs who died for their faith during the early persecutions by the Jewish leadership and the later persecutions by the Romans.
4b-7: Even though he is leaving, Jesus is trying to comfort them by telling them that his leaving is actually a good thing for them, for only then can the Helper (the Holy Spirit) come to them (see also 14:26). He must send the Helper to them; they cannot simply summon the Helper to come.
8-11: One of the primary tasks of the Helper, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit (14:26), is to “prove the world wrong” about three things; sin, righteousness, and judgment, although the explanations he gives in verses 9, 10, and 11 are vague.
12-15: Another function of the Helper, here referred to as the Spirit of Truth, is to complete the education of the disciples.
16-22: The disciples, as usual, have trouble understanding him. Jesus’ response is that they will suffer, but when their suffering is past they will have cause for joy because he will see them again. It is not clear whether he is referring to his post-resurrection appearances, the “second coming,” or their resurrection in the world to come.
23-24: When that occurs they will not have to ask him anything because the Holy Spirit will have taught them. He tells them God will give them whatever they ask in his name, an echo of a saying in the other gospels (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:24), but in the context of the previous paragraphs the saying seems here to be a reference to the knowledge the Spirit of Truth is to teach them — whatever question they ask in Jesus name, the answer will be given to them.
25-33: The “figures of speech” that Jesus has been using have been confusing. He seems to be telling them that after he is gone they will have a direct line to the Father without his having to intercede. The disciples do seem to think he has spoken clearly – unless verse 29 is intended as sarcasm — and now they understand that he came from God! Jesus tells them that they are about to be scattered, a reference (I think) to what they will do after his impending arrest in the garden.
Takeaway
The disciples were dealing with the same doubts Christians still face today. In the midst of whatever suffering and confusion we may have to endure in this life, there is always hope for those who believe.