Can you explain john chapter 15 verse 16?

Answer 1

John 15:16New International Version (NIV)

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you

It was Jesus who called the Apostles as His Father gave Him. They were directly taught by Him and first to receive the Holy Spirit of God to help them grow and continue the Church of God. By their witnessing, they helped bring those God called into the Church (bearing fruit). They became 'fishers of men.' These new disciples received the Holy Spirit of God being 'begotten' into the Family of God, eternally unless they disregarded this privilege and reverted back to their sinful ways.

Lastly, Jesus is our only Mediator to the Father. Whatever we ask in prayer, we are to do through Jesus' name.

Answer 2

A:John chapter 16 has Jesus make two statements of historical interest, an understanding of which tells us much about the context of this chapter. In verse 2, Jesus is said to prophesy that Christians would be put out of the synagogues, a prophecy that is not found in the earlier gospels and would have seemed anachronistic to the disciples for whom the Temple was the proper place of worship: John 16:2: "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."

Even conservative Christians agree that John's Gospel was written late in the first century, while the consensus of New Testament scholars is that it was written early in the second century. Either of these dates places the authorship of Johnsomewhat later than when the Jews expelled the Christians from the synagogues in the eighties and early nineties of the first century. The author was writing something he already knew - that the Christians would be put out of the synagogues.

John 16:5-11: "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

Once again, the author already knew that Jesus was judged and crucified, and this passage has Jesus talk about his death to come.

The context is:

It is generally agreed that Christ's discourse in chapters 15 and 16 was at the close of the last supper, the night in which he was betrayed, and it is a farewell sermon. Chapter 17 is Christ's prayer of intercession.

Additional Comment:

Yes, this was Jesus' last group meeting with His disciples and He wanted to fully answer all lingering questions/doubts they had as seen here:

John 16:29-31New King James Version (NKJV)

29 His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God."

31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?

Jesus read their minds and answered all their questions - to fully appreciate this read Chapters 14, 15, and 16 to get full context.

Importantly, Jesus tells them He is not abandoning them but will ask His Father to freely release their Holy Spirit (Christ in the Father and the Father in Him) so Christ and the Father would be in the disciples always:

John 14:15-21New King James Version (NKJV) Jesus Promises Another Helper15 "If you love Me, keep[a] My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.Indwelling of the Father and the Son19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

From the restraining (Fall in the Garden) of the power of God to be within mankind (via His Holy Spirit), 10 days after Christ's ascension, it was given again freely to all who follow Christ. Physical mankind can become a God Family member. This gets lost on many due to the trinity concept taught and the translation of the Greek term 'parakletos' for spirit - it is a masculine noun that requires a masculine pronoun but is not a person.

Answer 3

Verses 1-4: Jesus is letting his disciples know that there was going to be a great amount of opposition to those following and spreading his teachings. It was a prophecy that anyone following Jesus would be persecuted by those who think they are doing a service to God.

Verses 5-11: Jesus is letting his disciples know that he will not be with them for much longer. They were upset by these statements, but Jesus let them know that is was for their benefit that he would be going away, which meant him being sacrificed on behalf of them. The helper is identified as the holy spirit, which was poured out on his disciples shorter after his death. (Acts 2:1-13) The holy spirit would guide them and instruct them in many ways.

Verses 12-16 : Jesus lets his disciples know that there are many other things he needs to tell them, but they are not ready for them yet. First Jesus would have to die and then the holy spirit, which would come from the Father through the resurrected Jesus, would guide them and enable them to understand. Then Jesus lets them know that even though they wouldn't see him after his death, they would see him when he is resurrected.

Verses 17-22: His disciples were confused and upset about Jesus going away and didn't understand him when he told them they would see again. Jesus lets them know that they will be sad for a while after his death, but then he promises them that soon afterwards they would be joyous because they would know he would be resurrected. Jesus uses an illustration of a mother giving birth, during the birth she is in great agony, but afterwards is filled with joy. So it would be true for his disciples when Jesus is put to death, but then resurrected.

Verses 23-28: Jesus plainly says that whatever they ask of the Father, it will be granted to them because they have put faith in Jesus. It was a comfort to them that they could approach the Father on the basis on their faith in Jesus.

Verses 29-32: His disciples appreciated the comfort and further expressed faith in Jesus. However Jesus lets them know that when he is arrested, the disciples would scatter out of fear. But Jesus lets them know he would not be alone because the Father is with him always.

Verse 33: Jesus expresses his faith that he will be able to conquer the great trial before him and provide himself as a ransom for the world of men.