John 16:32
What does John 16:32 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:32 means
Jesus foretells that the hour is imminent when the disciples will be scattered to their own homes, leaving Him alone. Yet He immediately adds that He is not truly alone, for the Father is with Him. This prophecy is both sobering and consoling. It anticipates their failure without nullifying His communion with the Father. The cross will display His steadfast trust in the Father’s presence amid abandonment. For the disciples, this word will later heal their shame: their forsaking did not defeat Him. God’s faithfulness sustained Jesus in isolation, and that same faithfulness will restore them after they flee and are gathered again.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, a time is coming, yes, it is now here, when you will go away in all directions, every man to his house, and I will be by myself: but I am not by myself, because the Father is with me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now it hath come, that ye may be scattered, each to his own things, and me ye may leave alone, and I am not alone, because the Father is with me;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold, the hour cometh, and it is now come, that you shall be scattered every man to his own and shall leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, [the] hour is coming, and has come, that ye shall be scattered, each to his own, and shall leave me alone; and [yet] I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
Context
Following His searching question, Jesus predicts the near-term collapse of the disciples’ courage. This honest forecast clears the ground for the closing promise. Having exposed their weakness, He will now give them a peace that does not rest on their strength but on His triumph. The final verse will gather the chapter’s themes—warning, sorrow, Spirit, scattering—into a confident declaration of His overcoming victory.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
- John 12:23
And Jesus answereth them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
- Mark 14:50
And they all left him, and fled.
- John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
- John 14:10
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.
- Matthew 26:31
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
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