Digging Deeper posts are intended to help us go farther into God’s word than a simple surface reading
and are designed to help us discover new tools in the process.
Curious as to why we Dig Deeper? Here’s Why!
The Passage
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out Do Not Be Afraid!
John 16:25-33 English Standard Version (ESV)
25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.[a] 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
My Questions
1) Who is speaking in this passage and to whom is he/she speaking?
2) What is the context of this passage?
3) What does Jesus’ peace look like in the midst of tribulation?
4) What does the word “overcome” mean?
The Tools
A trip to www.studylight.org is in order here.
We will get super cozy with this site as we study Scripture together!
Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom!
It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse?
Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage?
Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
The Findings for Original Intent
1) In this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples. He references what He has been telling them about the Father and how He came from the Father. This particular interchange between Jesus and His disciples starts in John 13.
2) In John 12:23, Jesus says, “the hour has come” which for the gospel of John means the time has come for Him to die on the cross. In John specifically, Jesus uses this terminology to refer to the cross, but up until John 12, He has said, “the hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4, 7:6, 8). Now there is a turning point which starts with John 12:23 and goes through the end of John. Chapter 16 falls in the middle of this, where Jesus is telling his disciples “plainly” that He is leaving but they are not alone. He has told them the Holy Spirit is coming when He leaves. (John 16:1-15). He is giving them assurance that regardless of what they face, even losing Him and His death on the cross, He has overcome!
3) “Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds,3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4). These passages in John 16 and James 1 help us to see there are two major themes that underlie the peace that Jesus offers. The first is we are not alone. He knows there will be tribulation. He knows the trials we face and the insecure, unsafe world we live in does not compare to the glory we will see when He returns to complete what He started on the cross! The second thing is purpose. The purpose of our trials, tribulations, and unsafe situations is to bring us closer to Him, make us look more like Him, and produce in us a steadfast faith that results in being made complete in Him.
4) Using Studylight, in the original language that word “overcome” means conquer, carrying off the victory, and victorious over all His foes. When Christ says, “I have overcome the world” that means the battle is over and the victory is His! We have no need to worry or fear.
Some Applications for Our Everyday Lives
1) I love the way John tells this part of the story of Jesus’ life. His personal interactions with His disciples show His great love for them. He is warning them plainly of what is coming, but yet giving them hope despite what is about to happen. Jesus is our HOPE and in the midst of this world, He is our security and our safety net. He wanted the disciples to know and trust in Him.
2) Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13) and through the next several chapters proceeds to explain to them the pending crucifixion and sacrifice. I’m sure all the things He had taught them over the past three years became real in that moment as they struggled to come to terms with His ministry on Earth coming to an end. Jesus asks them, “Do you now believe?” The solid assurance of knowing that Jesus is who He says He is and He does what He says He will do is ours!
3) God does not promise a life void of heartbreak, tribulations, and trials. Actually the opposite is true. He promises us there will be trials, there will be heartache, and there will be broken relationships. BUT, and this is a big but in Scripture: He is more, He is enough, and He has overcome!
4) We are more than conquerors! (Romans 8;37) The victory is ours when we put our trust in Jesus Christ. He has overcome this world, which means when we face things of this world, we can have a peace that though God may not take away the current ordeal, He will surely strengthen us, draw us closer to Himself, and take our misery and make into to ministry for His kingdom. There are times when He may in fact put you right in the middle of social, financial, or even physical harm to show you just how big He really is in comparison to the things of this world!
We’d love to hear how God challenged you through today’s Journey Study! Share your thoughts, comments, and questions with the GT Community!
Can we pray for you?
Looking for faith stories?
Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.
Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Desperate! Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
