John 16:29-33
Chapter 16
29
The disciples said to him:
“Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language!
30
Now we see that you know all things and don’t need anyone to question you. Because of this, we believe that you came from God.”
31
Jesus answered them:
“Do you believe now?
32
The hour is coming—in fact, it has come—when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not truly alone, because the Father is with me.
33
I have told you this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
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).