Devine Scripture

John 16:10

What does John 16:10 mean?

A plain-English look at John 16:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 16:10 means

The Spirit convicts concerning righteousness because Jesus goes to the Father and is no longer seen. His return to the Father is heaven’s verdict that He is righteous, the true standard. The world condemned Him, but the Father received Him. By exalting Jesus, the Spirit exposes false righteousness and reveals where true righteousness is found—in the risen, ascended Christ. The disciples’ inability to see Him physically is not loss but proof of His vindication. The Spirit redirects confidence away from human performance to Jesus’ accepted work. In pressing this, He both humbles self-righteousness and assures believers that righteousness is anchored in Christ’s person and accomplishment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Of righteousness, because I go to the Father and you will see me no more;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and concerning righteousness, because unto my Father I go away, and no more do ye behold me;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And of justice: because I go to the Father: and you shall see me no longer.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

of righteousness, because I go away to [my] Father, and ye behold me no longer;

Context

Following the focus on unbelief, Jesus explains the Spirit’s work regarding righteousness. The hinge is His return to the Father, which reframes the meaning of righteousness. This ties the Spirit’s ministry to Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. With that foundation in place, the next verse speaks of judgment, identifying the target of condemnation and signaling a decisive victory over the world’s ruler that shapes the entire chapter’s conclusion.

v.9of sin, because they believe not on me;

v.10This passage

v.11of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 1:17

    For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

  • Isaiah 45:24

    Only in Jehovah, it is said of me, is righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all they that were incensed against him shall be put to shame.

  • 1 Timothy 3:16

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

  • Romans 5:17

    For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ.

  • John 5:32

    It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

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