Devine Scripture

John 16:4

What does John 16:4 mean?

A plain-English look at John 16:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 16:4 means

Jesus tells them future persecution so that, when it arrives, they will remember His words and take courage. Memory will anchor them: “He told us this.” He also notes why He had not stressed this from the beginning—His bodily presence sheltered them. While He was with them, hostility was buffered by His leadership. But with His departure near, they must be prepared to stand. This verse shows Jesus’ wise timing: He gives hard truths when they are needed most. By linking their coming trials to His prior warning, He invites them to interpret suffering through the lens of His sovereignty and care rather than as a sign of failure.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But these things have I spoken unto you, that when their hour is come, ye may remember them, how that I told you. And these things I said not unto you from the beginning, because I was with you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But these things have I spoken unto you, that when their hour is come, ye may remember them, how that I told you. And these things I said not unto you from the beginning, because I was with you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I have said these things to you so that when the time comes, what I have said may come to your mind. I did not say them to you at the first, because then I was still with you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`But these things I have spoken to you, that when the hour may come, ye may remember them, that I said <FI>them<Fi> to you, and these things to you from the beginning I did not say, because I was with you;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But these things I have told you, that when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I have spoken these things to you, that when their hour shall have come, ye may remember them, that I have said [them] unto you. But I did not say these things unto you from [the] beginning, because I was with you.

Context

Jesus transitions from the cause of persecution to the pastoral purpose of His predictions: remembrance that sustains. He also explains the change in His teaching emphasis due to His imminent departure. This sets up the next verses, where He announces that He is going to the One who sent Him. Their sorrow at this news becomes the next pastoral issue He addresses, leading to the promise of the Comforter who will come after He goes.

v.3And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

v.4This passage

v.5But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

Cross references

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

  • John 14:29

    And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe.

  • Isaiah 41:22

    Let them bring forth, and declare unto us what shall happen: declare ye the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.

  • Matthew 24:25

    Behold, I have told you beforehand.

  • Acts 9:16

    for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

  • 2 Peter 1:14

    knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me.

  • Luke 21:12

    But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

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