John 16:31-33

B. The Upper Room Discourse 13:31-16:33

Judas’ departure opened the way for Jesus to prepare His true disciples for what lay ahead for them. This teaching was for committed disciples only. Some writers have noted that in the Old Testament, as well as in ancient Near Eastern literature generally, the farewell sayings of famous individuals receive much attention (cf. Genesis 47:29 to Genesis 49:33; Joshua 23-24; 1 Chronicles 28-29). [Note: E.g., A. Lacomara, "Deuteronomy and the Farewell Discourse (John 13:31-16:33)," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 36 (1974):65-84.] This discourse preserves Jesus’ last and most important instructions in the fourth Gospel. One significant difference is that in His "farewell discourse" Jesus promised to return again (John 14:1-3).