John 16:20-23
Chapter 16
20
Truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.
21
A woman in childbirth is in distress because her time has come. But after the child is born, she no longer remembers her suffering because of her great joy: a child has been born into the world.
22
You feel sorrowful now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice; and no one will take your joy away from you.
23
When that day comes, you will not ask me anything. Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
Commentaries
Joy After Sorrow
16:16-33 . Jesus speaks of a mysterious “soon.” That short time refers to the passion—a period of blindness and suffering. To explain this enigmatic saying, the Lord uses the image of childbirth: after the pains come the joy of birth. Similarly, the joy after the resurrection will be: once again, the Lord will see them, and his heart will rejoice with a joy that nothing and no one can take away. The Father’s love is also poured out on all the disciples (26-33) because they believe in Jesus, the Son who was sent. Jesus always presents his life as seen from the Father; he comes from Him, is in this world for a brief time, and now he is returning to the Father. Jesus is about to suffer the Passion, but he does not feel lonely. Even if his disciples abandon him, the Father is always with him. He ends these words with an encouraging cry. Despite the cruelty of the trials he has endured, he affirms: “I have overcome the world” (33).