John 16.25-33 STUDY GUIDE

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Small Group Discussion Guide Text: John 16:25-33

Theme/ Big Idea: Through the pain and sorrow of the cross comes a greater understanding of Jesus, direct access to God the Father, and true peace.

Context/ Background Information: Jesus prepared the disciples for every moment leading up to and through the hour of his departure and death. In John 16:16-19, Jesus announced the hour was upon them, saying, "a little while and you will see me no longer." They would weep, lament, and be full of sorrow while the world would rejoice. In John 16:32, he forewarns the disciples that they will be scattered and broken apart at his crucifixion (also recorded in Matt 26:31 and Mark 14:27).

Despite this disheartening news about his coming death and their coming sorrow, Jesus gives the disciples astounding hope. Though in just a moment they will not see him and though it will last for a short time, they will be reunited. They will see him again. Jesus said four times that they "would see him again" and then he said their "sorrow will turn to joy," their "hearts will rejoice," "no one will take [their] joy from [them]," and their joy will be full (John 16:20, 22, and 24).

In John 16:16-19, Jesus prepared the disciples for the cross to come. Beginning in John 16:20-24 and specifically, in John 16:25-33, Jesus focuses beyond the cross. It is beyond the cross that the disciples will have greater understanding, direct access to God the Father, and true peace.

GREATER UNDERSTANDING In John 16:16-19, Jesus prepared the disciples for the hour to come when he would be crucified, they would be heartbroken, and they would be scattered (John 16:32). But on the other side of the cross, the disciples would be reunited (John 16:16, 17, 19, 20). Additionally, Jesus says, beyond the cross, all their questions and confusion will turn to joy-filled clarity.

In John 16:23, Jesus said that when he saw them again after the crucifixion, they would have no more questions. Specifically, Jesus said, "In that day you will ask [erotao] nothing of me." He uses the Greek word "erotao," which means "to inquire" or "to seek information." It can be understood as asking curiously or wondering about something without understanding. We use similar phrases like, "Explain that again, I don't understand" or "Wait a minute, what did you say?" In other words, when they are reunited on the other side of the cross, the disciples will have everything they need to know about Jesus. When they see him crucified and then they see him alive, they will know beyond a shadow of a doubt who he is, why he came, and the power he wields.

Instead of wondering, they will do something different. They will run to God the Father with their requests in Jesus' name. In John 16:24, Jesus says, "Until now you have asked nothing in my name." "Ask" in this verse is a different Greek word. It is "aiteo," which means to request, and it is often interchangeable with prayer. Their wondering will be transformed into wonder. Their confusion will turn to clarity. Jesus' resurrection from the grave will turn their haziness into hope!

In verse 23, the disciples' confusion will turn to clarity, and as a result, according to verse 24, they will run to the Father in Jesus' name. In John 16:25-26, Jesus teaches the same thing using different wording. "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father." The contrast is between things hidden in proverbial speech versus things said plainly "without concealing anything." (1)

In other words, on the other side of the cross, everything will be clear. The disciples will see clearly who Jesus is and know fully what he came to do. Their confusion will turn into confidence; Jesus' instruction will no longer be a mystery but plain to them. The result will be the disciples turning to make requests of God the Father in Jesus' name (John 16:26a). Again, Jesus' resurrection from the grave will turn their haziness into hope and turn their wondering into wonder.

DIRECT ACCESS TO THE FATHER Jesus says even more in verse 26, however. Jesus says, "In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf" (John 16:26). Jesus is not saying that after the resurrection, believers will petition Jesus, but he will not convey their requests to the Father. Nor is he saying that he will stand as a gatekeeper between the believer and God keeping us at a distance. No, Jesus is communicating quite the opposite.

Jesus is again using the wordplay of "erotao" (to question or wonder), and "aiteo," (to make request), to communicate astonishing good news. In verse 26, Jesus combined both concepts. Verse 26 can be understood this way, "In that day, you will [aiteo or make requests] in my name, but I will not [erotao or wonder] if the Father will answer." Why? Because "the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God" (John 16:27). The Father embraces those who embrace the Son. Jesus does not have to wonder if the Father hears him, knows him, or will answer him. As George Beasley- Murray puts it, "There will be no need for Jesus to persuade the Father to listen to their prayers…for the Father himself loves them." (2) And all who embrace Jesus can have that same assurance, confidence, and hope when approaching God the Father.

We pray in Jesus' name a) because he is the evidence of the Father's love for us, and b) he is the righteousness we desperately need to boldly approach God as Father. When we approach God the Father in the name of Jesus, we are approaching God acknowledging that we have no right to approach him apart from Jesus. It is Jesus' work and righteousness that enables us to approach and make requests of God the Father. And according to John 16:26-27, anyone who embraces Jesus can have the solid and secure confidence that God the Father hears us. This is exactly what the writer of Hebrews exhorts when he says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:16). And again in Hebrews 10:19 when he says, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

TRUE PEACE On the other side of the cross is life, a greater understanding of Jesus, and direct access to God. Could it get any better? Jesus says, yes. In John 16:33, Jesus says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Not only do we have direct access to God through Jesus, but we also have true peace.

The disciples were ecstatic, thinking the time of plain speech and clear understanding had arrived (John 16:29-30). Jesus quickly deflates their enthusiasm, reminding them that their darkest moments are still to come. Not only will they see Jesus crucified, but they will also scatter in hiding (John 16:31-32). Yet, Jesus says the most remarkable words, "Take heart!" And Jesus reassures them that though their darkest moments are on the horizon, Jesus overcomes darkness. Though they will flee, he will not.

All along, Jesus has been making an argument from lesser to greater and now back to lesser again. In a little while, he will be crucified. But it will only be a little while before he defeats, dominates, and is victorious over the curse for sin; death. And if he can defeat death, then we can have confident assurance he can overcome sin and Satan. And if he can overcome sin, death, and Satan, then what is cancer, or Covid-19 to him? Jesus secured peace with God through his death, and as a result, we can know the peace of God in heart, mind, and soul right here, right now.

For these reasons, Jesus says, "take heart." This is an imperative statement to stand strong, take courage, and dare to bank on the account of God. What would ever, in a million years, cause a person to bank on God's account as though it were their own? Only if Jesus truly conquered the grave, securing peace with God, and giving us direct access to God. Therefore, take heart, Jesus has defeated the grave! Take heart, Jesus has overcome our separation from God. Take heart; if we are in Christ, God hears our prayers.

Quotes To Consider: • "Let us take great comfort in this blessed truth. The Savior of sinners will not cast off those who believe in Him, because they are babes in faith and knowledge. He will not break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax. He can see reality under much infirmity, and where He sees it, He is graciously pleased." — J.C. Ryle • "As surely as he overcame, And triumphed once for you, So surely you that love his name, Shall triumph in him too." —John Newton

Discussion Questions: 1. How does the resurrection clarify the person, nature, and power of Jesus? 2. Do you have the full assurance that God hears your prayers? Why or why not? What does this text teach regarding God the Father hearing your prayer and responding? 3. What is your only hope in life and death? In tribulation and affliction, would others know the location of your hope by how you respond? 4. How is the Christian response to suffering, trials, and tribulation a testimony to the gospel?

Footnotes: 1. George R. Beasley-Murray, John, vol. 36, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1999), 286. 2. Ibid., 287.