Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:22

Verse 22 22.Your joy no man shall take from you. The value of the joy is greatly enhanced by its perpetuity; for it follows that the afflictions are light, and ought to be patiently endured, because they are of short duration. By these words Christ reminds us what is the nature of true joy The world must unavoidably be soon deprived of its joys, which it seeks only in fading things; and, therefore, we must come to the resurrection of Christ, in which there is eternal solidity. But I will see... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:23

Verse 23 23.And in that day you will ask me nothing. After having promised to the disciples that they would derivejoy from their unshaken firmness and courage, he now speaks of another grace of the Spirit which would be given to them, that they would receive so great light of understanding as would raise them on high to heavenly mysteries. They were at that time so slow that the slightest difficulty of any kind made them hesitate; for as children who are learning the alphabet cannot read a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:24

Verse 24 24.Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name. It is probable that the apostles kept the rule of prayer which had been laid down in the Law. Now we know that the fathers were not accustomed to pray without a Mediator; for God had trained them, by so many exercises, to such a form of prayer. They saw the high priest enter into the holy place in the name of the whole people, and they saw sacrifices offered every day, that the prayers of the Church might be acceptable before God. It was,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:25

Verse 25 25.These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The intention of Christ is to give courage to his disciples, that, entertaining good hopes of making better progress, they may not think that the instruction to which they now listen is useless, though there be but little of it that they comprehend; for such a suspicion might lead them to suppose that Christ did not wish to be understood, and that he purposely kept them in suspense. He declares, therefore, that they will soon perceive... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 16:26

Verse 26 26.In that day you shall ask in my name. He again repeats the reason why the heavenly treasures were then to be so bountifully opened up. It is, because they ask in the name of Christ whatever they need, and God will refuse nothing that shall be asked in the name of his Son. But there appears to be a contradiction in the words; for Christ immediately adds, that it will be unnecessary for him to pray to the Father Now, what purpose does it serve to pray in his name, if he does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:16-22

The departure of Jesus, with its experiences of sorrow and joy to the disciples. They were soon to stand in a new relation to Christ. I. THE DEPARTURE AND THE RETURN OF CHRIST . "A little while, and ye shall see me no more: then a little while more, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father? 1. Our " Lord foresees and declares his death as almost at hand . That would for the time sever him from the sight of his disciples. 2. He foresees and declares... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:16-24

(c) The sorrow turned into joy . In these verses he approaches the final farewell, in which the whole body of the disciples are introduced as inwardly or among themselves perturbed by the special difficulty of the words. Before the Spirit can do all this, a separation must be experienced. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:20

There is no exact or categoric reply to the very inquiry which he has heard and cited, but there is more of prophecy and help than if he had said, "Tomorrow I die and shall be laid in the grave, and on the third day I shall rise again." He had often said this, and they refused to understand. It was not merely a resurrection of the body, but the glorification in the Father of his entire Personality, for which he wished them to be prepared. A simple restoration like that of Lazarus would not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:20

Grief and gladness. Our Lord gave his apostles to understand that he was no enemy to the emotions that are characteristic of humanity. By becoming his disciples men did not exempt themselves from the common sorrows, nor did they forfeit the common joys, of human life. But these emotions were to be excited by greater and worthier occasions than those met with in ordinary experience. To be a Christian is to know profounder sorrow, and to rise to loftier joy, than falls to the lot of the... read more

Group of Brands