John 16:20
What does John 16:20 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:20 means
Jesus solemnly assures them that they will soon weep and lament while the world rejoices. Yet their sorrow will be transformed into joy. He does not deny pain; He defines its destiny. The crucifixion will break their hearts even as Jesus’ opponents celebrate. But the resurrection will turn mourning into gladness, not by erasing memory but by changing meaning. This is not a call to stoicism; it is a promise of reversal grounded in God’s action. Their tears are appointed, but so is their joy. This teaches that Christian sorrow is temporary and purposeful; it yields to joy because Jesus’ story moves through death to life, and His followers share that pattern.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Truly I say to you, You will be weeping and sorrowing, but the world will be glad: you will be sad, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862verily, verily, I say to you, that ye shall weep and lament, and the world will rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow joy will become.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Verily, verily, I say to you, that ye shall weep and lament, ye, but the world shall rejoice; and ye will be grieved, but your grief shall be turned to joy.
Context
Having surfaced their confusion, Jesus speaks into their emotions with a double contrast: their grief versus the world’s glee, and then their grief becoming joy. This prepares for the childbirth image that explains how temporary pain leads to lasting delight. The sequence will move from general promise (this verse) to analogy (next), and then to personal assurance of enduring joy when they see Him again after the “little while.”
v.19Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me?
v.20This passage
v.21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 40:1
I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
- Psalms 30:5
For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.
- Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
- Luke 6:21
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
- 1 Peter 1:6
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,
- Jude 1:24
Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,
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