John 16:12
What does John 16:12 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:12 means
Jesus admits there is more to say but that the disciples cannot bear it now. Their emotional and spiritual bandwidth is limited. He honors their frame by not overloading them and by promising provision. This shows both the depth of the mysteries ahead and His patience in revelation. The Christian life involves growth; full understanding would come later, after the cross and resurrection, when their minds and hearts are readied. This verse corrects pride and despair alike—pride, by reminding us that we do not grasp all at once; despair, by assuring us that help will come. The Spirit’s ministry will bridge the gap between present weakness and future clarity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I have still much to say to you, but you are not strong enough for it now.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`I have yet many things to say to you, but ye are not able to bear <FI>them<Fi> now;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Context
After describing the Spirit’s confrontation of the world, Jesus returns to the disciples’ need. Their present inability explains why He speaks of the Spirit next as their guide into truth. This shift moves from public conviction to private instruction. The next verse elaborates how the Spirit, as the Spirit of truth, will lead them, not by independent speech but by faithfully conveying what He hears, including things to come.
v.11of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged.
v.12This passage
v.13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 1:3
to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God:
- Mark 4:33
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;
- 1 Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.
- John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you.
- Hebrews 5:11
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.
- John 14:30
I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;
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