Devine Scripture

John 16:22

What does John 16:22 mean?

A plain-English look at John 16:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 16:22 means

Jesus applies the analogy: they indeed have sorrow now, but He will see them again, and their hearts will rejoice with a joy no one can take away. The promise is personal and relational—He will see them. Their joy’s security rests not on circumstances but on the living presence of the risen Jesus. Once He returns to them after the resurrection, their gladness will be grounded in a reality beyond the reach of enemies. This joy is durable because it is anchored in His victory over death. It anticipates the settled confidence that will characterize them after He appears and commissions them for mission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So you have sorrow now: but I will see you again, and your hearts will be glad, and no one will take away your joy.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And ye, therefore, now, indeed, have sorrow; and again I will see you, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one doth take from you,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So also you now indeed have sorrow: but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice. And your joy no man shall take from you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And ye now therefore have grief; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one takes from you.

Context

After the childbirth analogy, Jesus brings the promise home to the disciples’ experience. The movement is from image to assurance. This prepares for a related blessing that will come “in that day”: transformed prayer life and direct asking of the Father in Jesus’ name. The transition is from seeing the risen Lord to living with new access to God, where joy is further filled through answered prayer.

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.

v.22This passage

v.23And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 4:13

    but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.

  • Matthew 28:8

    And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

  • John 16:16

    A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.

  • Psalms 146:2

    While I live will I praise Jehovah: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

  • Acts 13:52

    And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

  • Isaiah 65:18

    But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

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