Devine Scripture

John 16:5

What does John 16:5 mean?

A plain-English look at John 16:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 16:5 means

Jesus declares that He is returning to the One who sent Him—the Father. He gently notes that the disciples have not truly asked where He is going, meaning their minds are fixed more on their loss than on His mission’s completion and glory. Their grief narrows their perspective. He invites them to consider His departure not merely as absence but as movement toward the Father’s presence and purpose. This reframes the event theologically: His going is part of the divine plan that sent Him in the first place. Knowing His destination would comfort them, for it means He goes to reign, not to be defeated.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But now I am going to him who sent me; and not one of you says to me, Where are you going?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and now I go away to Him who sent me, and none of you doth ask me, Whither dost thou go?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I told you not these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: Whither goest thou?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But now I go to him that has sent me, and none of you demands of me, Where goest thou?

Context

Having prepared them for persecution, Jesus now turns to the central transition of the discourse: His going to the Father. Their fear and sadness are intensifying, as shown in the next verse. This shift from external threats to internal sorrow sets the stage for Jesus to explain why His departure is actually for their good. That explanation culminates in the promise of the Comforter, whose coming depends on Jesus’ going.

v.4But 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.

v.5This passage

v.6But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 1:3

    who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

  • John 14:4

    And whither I go, ye know the way.

  • Hebrews 12:2

    looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • John 6:62

    What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?

  • John 16:10

    of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;

  • John 13:36

    Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.

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