John 16:7
What does John 16:7 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:7 means
Jesus insists on a hard but hopeful truth: His departure is for their good. If He does not go, the Comforter will not come; if He goes, He will send Him. This teaches that Jesus’ ascension is not abandonment but transition to a new mode of presence through the Spirit. The Spirit will universalize and internalize Jesus’ ministry—no longer limited by physical proximity. The words also reveal Jesus’ authority in sending the Spirit. Their gain will outweigh their loss: the very Helper they need for witness and endurance will arrive because Jesus completes His mission and returns to the Father. Therefore, the cross and ascension are the pathway to their empowerment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But what I am saying is true: my going is for your good: for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`But I tell you the truth; it is better for you that I go away, for if I may not go away, the Comforter will not come unto you, and if I go on, I will send Him unto you;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I say the truth to you, It is profitable for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go I will send him to you.
Context
After acknowledging their sorrow, Jesus gives the central rationale for His going: the coming of the Comforter. This is the hinge of the chapter. The following verses explain the Spirit’s work toward the world and the disciples. Understanding this connection shifts the mood from grief to expectation. As Jesus details the Spirit’s convicting role, He shows how God will advance truth in a hostile world even after His physical departure.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:33
Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.
- John 14:26
But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.
- John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me:
- John 7:39
But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.
- John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,
- John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
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