John 16:16-33

New International Reader's Version

The Disciples’ Sadness Will Turn Into Joy

¹⁶ Jesus continued, “In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me.”

¹⁷ After they heard this, some of his disciples spoke to one another. They said, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me’? And what does he mean by saying, ‘I am going to the Father’?” ¹⁸ They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

¹⁹ Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about these things. So he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant? Didn’t you understand when I said, ‘In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me’? ²⁰ What I’m about to tell you is true. You will weep and mourn while the world is full of joy. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy. ²¹ A woman giving birth to a baby has pain. That’s because her time to give birth has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain. She forgets because she is so happy that a baby has been born into the world. ²² That’s the way it is with you. Now it’s your time to be sad. But I will see you again. Then you will be full of joy. And no one will take away your joy. ²³ When that day comes, you will no longer ask me for anything. What I’m about to tell you is true. My Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive what you ask for. Then your joy will be complete.

²⁵ “I have not been speaking to you plainly. But a time is coming when I will speak clearly. Then I will tell you plainly about my Father. ²⁶ When that day comes, you will ask for things in my name. I am not saying I will ask the Father instead of you asking him. ²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me. He also loves you because you have believed that I came from God. ²⁸ I came from the Father and entered the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking plainly. You are using examples that are clear. ³⁰ Now we can see that you know everything. You don’t even need anyone to ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

³¹ “Do you believe now?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming when you will be scattered and go to your own homes. In fact, that time is already here. You will leave me all alone. But I am not really alone. My Father is with me.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.”